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Russian Forces Claim to Have Captured Key City of Pokrovsk; Trump to Hold Cabinet Meeting Amid Escalating Showdown; Maduro Issues Defiant Message Amid U.S. Military Buildup; Follow-up Boat Strike Draws Intense Bipartisan Scrutiny; Trump Weighs Options After Oval Office Meeting. Aired 9-10a ET

Aired December 02, 2025 - 09:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, you're looking at a scene of the White House where U.S. President Trump, is grappling with two

major foreign policy priorities. It's 09:00 a.m. there in Washington, it is 06:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi. I'm Becky Anderson from our Middle East

programming headquarters.

This is "Connect the World". Coming up, anytime now we expect Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump Envoy Steve Witkoff to sit down in

Moscow on the table a potential peace deal for Ukraine. Plus, as President Trump keeps up the pressure on Venezuela, questions continue over Defense

Secretary Pete Hegseth's role in a so-called Double Tap strike.

We're live at the White House this hour. Stock market in New York opens in about 30 minutes from now, and stock futures indicating a steady to higher

start for the major indices. We'll get you to the New York bell later this hour. We start with a potentially crucial day of diplomacy in Moscow aimed

at ending what is this nearly four year long war in Ukraine.

This hour, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to start meeting with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son in law,

Jared Kushner. This comes after Witkoff, Kushner and the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held weekend talks with a Ukrainian delegation in

Florida.

Well, they may present Putin with revisions to President Trump's original 28-point peace plan that Europe and Ukraine say heavily favored Russia. The

White House, for its part, continues to express optimism that a deal is close. Well ahead of the meeting, the Kremlin praise the U.S. role in these

negotiations.

My colleague Matthew Chance is in Moscow, and talked a bit earlier on CNN about what may happen in today's meeting.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: It really is kind of make or break for this latest round of U.S. efforts to bring the Ukraine

war to an end. The visit to Moscow, which is the sixth visit. I think of Steve Witkoff in the second term of President Trump.

Comes after a couple of very intensive rounds of negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators in Geneva and more recently at the weekend in

South Florida, where they've kind of explored various concessions, possible concessions that could be presented that would get around some of the big

obstacles in the peace process.

Things like Ukraine's desire to join NATO in the future, things like the call for Ukraine to hand over territory to Russia that has been annexed by

Moscow but not yet conquered by its military forces. These are all sort of red lines for Ukraine. They're also red lines and key demands for the

Russians as well.

And so, the wording of what compromises could be made to try and satisfy both parties, that's what's being presented to the Kremlin right now, or in

the hours ahead, when the meeting with Putin and Witkoff and Kushner finally happens. Big question is whether Putin is going to accept that,

whether he thinks those potential concessions go far enough they give Russia the victory that Putin wants so much.

ANDERSON: Matthew Chance, reporting from Moscow for you. Our Chief International Security Correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh is live this hour in

Kyiv. And it's good to have you there. How are Ukrainians viewing today's talks in Moscow, Nick?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: I think there's hope, potentially, that it may bring the conflict to a close, but

deep anxiety as to the exact nature of the concessions that Witkoff will be proposing.

Now, obviously this Witkoff plan U.S. proposal has been cooked up or ameliorated after hours of meetings with the Ukrainian negotiating team in

Florida, coupled with an early Monday morning Miami meeting a second meeting between Witkoff and Rustam Omerov, the top Ukrainian negotiator,

clearly hammering out some of these terms down to the finer potential detail.

And then Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Emmanuel Macron of France yesterday on the phone to Witkoff, UK's Keir Starmer as well. And

now in Dublin, a lot of choreography here, clearly briefing European allies as well.

[09:05:00]

But what has been noticeable here is after the last weeks in which variations of plan have been leaked to try and potentially enable it to be

dead on arrival, if presented to certain potential signatories, we are hearing very little as the precise nature of what Witkoff is taking with

him.

There are some anxieties, potentially the Witkoff may change his mind even in the plane, or may present something that isn't 100 percent what Ukraine

seems to have signed on to. But I think there's also too, a stronger body of thought here that thinks the last thing you want the Russians to do is

to learn about what's in this plan from a leak to the media.

And that also potentially too, making what Ukraine potentially is willing to accept as concessions public then prohibits them in the future and makes

that their starting block for future negotiations. So ultimately, what Witkoff says to Putin has everyone on edge here.

It comes at a time in which Zelenskyy, it's fair to say, hasn't ever really been domestically politically weaker after the resignation of his top

negotiator and chief of staff on Friday, Andriy Yermak, after anti- corruption investigators searched his home. Everyone in Ukraine, I think, wants an end to the barrages, to the blackout, to the killing, to the risk

of future Russian penetrations towards population centers.

That's in no doubt at all. They just don't want to deal but ultimately, buys Russia some time to regroup and then have another go. So that's the

real anxiety, as to the possible backward feeling too, that the U.S. is a mediator between two sides here, Russia and Ukraine, rather than that has

been in the previous administration Ukraine's ally, Becky.

ANDERSON: Can you just give us a sense of what is going on the ground, Nick? Because whilst this diplomacy, of course, continues, and it's

important that we continue to ensure that we are, you know, across every detail as we get it. What's going on the ground is so important the City of

Pokrovsk a particular flash point, as I understand it at the moment?

WALSH: Yeah, Pokrovsk has been heavily fought over by the Ukrainians and Russians. The Russians trying to take it for well over a year now, and

yesterday, no coincidence in the timing the Russians, Vladimir Putin claimed it had been fully in their phrase, liberated Ukraine would

correctly say occupied by Russia.

It's a strategic military hub for the Ukrainians has been, and it's been their grip on it tenuous for weeks now. It's fair to say. We've seen images

put out by Russian state media showing their troops in the center of the city moving around it. Look, it's fair to say it does appear, from most

assessments, to be increasingly, if not nearly all under Russian grip.

Now there may be Ukrainian troops on the edges or trying to potentially retain a position there. But ultimately it is now, I think, up to Ukraine's

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, when he wants to make the call to pull the remainder of his forces back and call it a day there.

But of course, the Russian narrative has been quite persistent for weeks now, trying to say they're on the front foot. They are winning. It's -- I

think it's fair to say that's relatively accurate around Pokrovsk. It's definitely clear that near Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia area, the

Russians have made significant, speedy advances over the past weeks.

They're also seeing some progress to the north of Pokrovsk, around Kostyantynivka, Lyman, other areas there too, where they're moving forwards

Kupiansk. Perhaps a different story, where you claim to have kicked the Russians back there. But being no doubt, Putin is capitalizing on this idea

of, listen, if you don't give me this territory in negotiations, I will take it by force.

And it's in no coincidence that they claim to have seized this major part of their kind of target list over the past months, just on the eve of this

key meeting. Whether that will influence what Witkoff says or what Zelenskyy feels, is unclear. But adds to that, to the nightly barrages, the

sort of general insomnia horror of night for so many Ukrainians, that simply adds to the pressure on Zelenskyy here too.

But also, to the pressure for a peace that is lasting, and for that Ukraine is clear it wants security guarantees, for which it looks to Europe, who,

frankly, lack the military force and the financing to give the security guarantees a really matter that would deter Russia in the future.

And it looks to the United States, who are casting themselves here, as we say, is an intermediary between Moscow and Kyiv to broker a peace, rather

than the traditional kind of ally Ukraine has felt on needed in the past. So those security guarantees so key, if indeed, Zelenskyy is at this point

contemplating what has been a red line for him for so many months, and that's some kind of territorial swap concession de military zone.

However, it's packaged to essentially enable Putin to say, I've won what I wanted to get, and I'm willing to agree to a cease fire now, Becky.

ANDERSON: Yeah, more from that Witkoff, Putin meeting, of course, as we get it. It's good to have you there. Thank you.

[09:10:00]

Right, I want to get our viewers, you -- wherever you are watching in the world, connected to what is the escalating showdown between the U.S. and

Venezuela and what Washington's next steps could be. In the next couple of hours, President Trump will hold a Cabinet meeting where the issue could be

on the agenda.

Now this follows a gathering of top national security officials late on Monday. The U.S. Administration is facing intense scrutiny over a follow up

strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, one that reportedly killed survivors of the initial strike. Some lawmakers have called that a war

crime.

While in Venezuela, a defiant message from President Nicolas Maduro to support us. He insisted, the U.S. will never compromise Venezuela's

autonomy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICOLAS MADURO, VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT: They have not taken us out with their psychological terrorism, not even one centimeter off the correct path. So,

we will always continue walking. You understand me, right? Never. No matter the circumstances that we have to go through. Can they ever take us off the

path of building the homeland that our people deserve?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: OK. Those the words of President Maduro. Let's get you more then on what is this building controversy over a so-called double tap strike in

the Caribbean. It is raising concerns across the political divide. And Betsy Klein is at the White House to explain, Betsy.

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, Becky, the White House is facing mounting scrutiny about the legality of this double tap strike on

an alleged drug boat operating in the Caribbean on September 2nd. Also questions about Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth's role in that.

Now, according to our CNN reporting, the boat was struck initial time, and it was determined that there were survivors. A second strike was then

ordered. Everybody aboard the boat was killed and the ship sunk. If it was determined that those survivors could pose no danger to the United States,

that would be a violation of international law and could constitute a war crime.

Now we know that Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth had ordered that everybody on the boat be killed, but it's not clear at this time whether he

was aware of the survivors ahead of that second strike. The White House says that it was Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley who ordered this strike.

They say that he was operating well within his authority. And the White House argument here is that presidentially designated narco-terrorist

groups are subject to lethal targeting. Though the White House has not outlined the legal justification or evidence for this second strike, they

and the president have also himself said that he would not have ordered a second strike.

But lawmakers now demanding the full tranche of audio and video around this attack and calling for oversight. I want you to listen to Senator Roger

Wicker. He's a Republican and Chairman of the Senate Foreign, sorry, Senate Armed Services Committee. Listen to what he told our colleague, Manu Raju.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ROGER WICKER (R-MS): We're going to conduct oversight, and we're going to try to get to the facts, and to the extent that we're able to see videos

and see what the orders were, we'll have a lot more information. I've spoken to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I've spoken to the

Secretary of Defense, and will be speaking to the admiral that was in charge of the operation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KLEIN: Wicker also told reporters that he does expect to receive classified briefings on all of this in the coming days. And all of this comes as the

president is weighing his next steps on Venezuela, the president has been making threats for weeks now. There has been a massive show of force in the

region, including about 15,000 U.S. troops in the area, as well as dozens of warships.

The president now weighing what to do next after a meeting in the Oval Office last night with top officials, including Hegseth along with

Secretary of State, Marco Rubio and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine. Now the White House was asked about what -- we asked the

White House about what steps were determined whether the president has made a decision here.

No comment for now, but we will see if the president weighs in on all of this as he convenes his cabinet later this morning, Becky.

ANDERSON: Good to have you, Betsy. And some news just into us, Donald Trump has formally pardoned the Former President of Honduras, Juan Orlando

Hernandez, that's according to Mr. Hernandez's lawyer. Hernandez was sentenced to 45 years in prison last year over drug trafficking offenses in

order to pay an $8 million fine by a U.S. judge. He's since been released from prison.

[09:15:00]

Well, the death toll from catastrophic flooding and landslides across parts of Asia has risen to 1250. Hundreds of people are still missing in the

disaster caused by extreme rainfall. Cyclone fuel that downpours have battered areas of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Sri Lanka was hit by a

separate storm. CNN's Mike Valerio is following developments for you today from Beijing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE VALERIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Across flood ravaged Sri Lanka, the military called into airlift fuel for families cut off from the

rest of the country by Cyclone Ditwah. Social Media video from Sri Lanka's Air Force showing a child rescued pulled up to safety as neighboring India

and Pakistan also send an aircraft to help.

In Indonesia's West Sumatra, signs of Cyclone Senyar's human toll are everywhere. Orange body bags carried by rescue and recovery teams. This man

lost both his mother and mother-in-law, saying they were sick and could not walk.

MUHAMMAD RAIS, PALEMBAYAN RESIDENT: This building used to be my house. This was a mosque, and that was my parent's house, a rice mill, my younger

brother's house and my in-laws.

VALERIO (voice-over): This is a before view of Songkhla province in Thailand from October. And this is a view from Sunday. A snapshot of West

Sumatra from the summer, and one from over the weekend. Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, emphasizing the scale of the

catastrophe.

ANURA KUMARA DISSANAYAKE, SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT: As a country, we are facing the largest and most challenging natural disaster in our history. We also

recognize that what we are undertaking is the most difficult rescue operation in our nation's history.

VALERIO (voice-over): In Sri Lanka, more than 24,000 police, army and air force personnel are still trying to reach families stranded by floods,

authorities said.

SUNETHRA PRIYADARSHINI, GARMENT FACTORY WORKER: In the night, things were normal. By the next morning, everything was under water, including our

house. Seven of us, including children, took refuge on the top floor. There are another 15 adults still there. Their houses are completely under water.

VALERIO (voice-over): Back in Indonesia, mud in some areas seen coming up to the top of door frames. This woman says her child was the one who

rescued her, and the flood was as high as the attic. She's gotten no food from the government yet, only from relatives. All as hundreds remain

missing across the worst hit areas of Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Mike Valerio, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well still ahead on "Connect the World" with me Becky Anderson. Pope Leo brings a message of peace to Lebanon before returning to the

Vatican. I want to get to Beirut and get you a close look at what was an historic trip to the Middle East. That is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well Tanzania's President is defending the country's security forces for killing large numbers of people.

[09:20:00]

She claims protesters intended to overthrow her government. A CNN investigation found that in the chaotic aftermath of Tanzania's disputed

presidential election, police and gun wielding men on patrol shot at groups of protesters.

Well, CNN's Larry Madowo is in neighboring Kenya joins us now from Nairobi. And Larry, just tell us more about what was said today, and any reaction

that you have saw so far.

LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, many people in Tanzania are outraged about this statement from President Samia Suluhu Hassan of

Tanzania, who essentially justified killing protesters and people who are not protesting. We don't know how many people were killed in the week of

the election, because she shut down the internet, declared a curfew, and many of the skill is ability to have taken place under that cover of

silence.

The media have not been allowed to report on this. The civil society and independent institutions are gagged in Tanzania. And now she's justifying

it, saying it was necessary because these people were burning property government buildings, police stations, essentially equating property damage

to human life.

Many in the country see this as tone deaf, divorced from reality and completely unrepentant and not even acknowledging that, yes, the young

people of Tanzania have some valid misgivings with her administration. She claims they were all paid, and some of them just went on the streets

because others were. Listen to what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, TANZANIAN PRESIDENT: The government has a responsibility, and we swear to defend this country and its borders, to

protect the safety of citizens and their property. And in that case, the force used is proportional to the threat.

So, when we're told that we use too much force in that event, what was the smallest amount of force, were we supposed to wait until the protesters who

had planned to overthrow the government to succeed?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MADOWO: You heard the applause there. She's been speaking to pretty much a willing audience, people who support her. These are the elders in Dar es

Salaam, the commercial capital. And her big claim here is that the protesters intended to overthrow her government.

They didn't have legitimate concerns. They were paid to do so. She criticized the youth, the opposition, religious societies, religious

bodies, and foreigners, foreign government. She says they're jealous of Tanzania success. And she pointed out, and she said, do they think they're

still our masters, our colonizers?

Who they do they think they are? She also claimed that the opposition chose not to participate in this election because they were afraid, she would

defeat them, because it smelled defeat, because of the work she had done in the first term. Well, that is not entirely true. The opposition was not

allowed to run in this.

The main opposition candidate, Tundu Lissu has been in jail since April, charged with treason. If he's found guilty, he faces the death penalty.

That is the backdrop for these protests. Many government critics, Becky, had disappeared, been abducted, been charged with treason, or just people

don't know where they are.

Some are still missing, and that is what she refuses to acknowledge. Instead going on this kind of wild bizarre address claiming that it was

nobody's fault and justifying the killings, Becky.

ANDERSON: Larry Madowo is on the story for us. Larry, good to have you. Thank you. Well, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Ireland

today, and he has just spoken about the talks happening in Moscow, of course, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner there speaking to Vladimir Putin.

Let's listen in to what Volodymyr Zelenskyy just said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: There will be a meeting of the American delegation in Russia. We will be waiting for respective signals

from them. They would like to report immediately after the meeting, specifically to us. I think, based on these signals, depending what they

will be like, will depend the future of our future steps.

These steps will be changing today, almost on an hourly basis. We will be getting signals, and if those signals are going to work as if, as fair

play, if it's a fair play with our partners, if it's going to be perceived as fair play by our partners, perhaps we will then meet very soon.

We will soon meet with the American delegation at what level we'll see it depends, again, on the signals we're going to get. If the signals are going

to be like that will give us the opportunity and chance and a chance of quick -- for quick solutions, global and quick solutions, then the level

will be high.

If this is still going to be at the level of the dialog, there's, you know, there's been a lot of dialogs, but we need results every day -- so our

people are dying. With all due respect to all nations of the world who are supporting and helping us, some of them do. Some of them don't,

unfortunately.

Ukrainians -- it's Ukrainians who are dying. The dialogs can continue, of course, but we need the results. We need the outcome.

[09:25:00]

We can simply talk, or we can achieve the maximum results. So, we could bring the end of the war closer. I'm prepared to support all signals. I'm

prepared to meet with President Trump. It all depends on today's talks. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Let's get you up to speed and some of the other stories that are on our radar right now. And Hong Kong's Leader says there will be justice

over last week's high-rise inferno. The death toll there has risen to 156. Officials say 30 people are still unaccounted for, and some may never be

found.

Authorities have made more than a dozen arrests. They are pointing the finger of blame at contractors who used netting at the apartment complex.

Well, Luigi Mangione is back in court today for his multi day hearing in which the judge will decide whether or not to throw out key evidence in the

case.

Proceedings are set to resume in just a few minutes. Prosecutors, on Monday, used the first two witnesses to show video and photographic

evidence that traced him from the murder scene to his arrest at McDonald's five days later. Right now, more than 55 million people in the United

States under winter weather alerts.

A quick hitting storm, which meteorologists call a bomb cyclone, is expected to bring widespread accumulation of snow and ice to much of the

U.S. Northeast today. Well, Pope Leo is on his way back to the Vatican after spending the past three days in Lebanon spreading a message of

interfaith cooperation and peace during what is a tumultuous time for the country.

Earlier today, he visited the side of Beirut's 2020 port blast and met with families of the victims, where he also paused for prayer. He also held a

huge public mass on the city's waterfront where he called for unity. Here is part of the message that he gave.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO, HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: I ask the international community, once again, to spare no effort in promoting processes of dialog and

reconciliation and make a heartfelt appeal to those who hold political and social authority here and, in all countries, marked by war and violence.

Listen to the cry of your peoples who are calling for peace.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Pope Leo in Lebanon. Well still to come, President Donald Trump is threatening to attack a country with more oil reserves than Iraq, but

the U.S. insists Venezuela's supply of black gold is not behind its military buildup in the Caribbean. That is just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:30:00]

ANDERSON: OK. Well, we are seconds away from the opening bell on Wall Street. That is Paul Atkins, the Chairman of U.S. Securities and Exchange

Commission ringing in the trading day. That's a job and a half, isn't it. We are out of the gate, and we will get you what is going on with these

major indices, which were, as far as the futures markets were concerned, indicating they would start higher today.

But it was a sort of steady to hire story on the futures and in fact, and I think we need to just let this NASDAQ settle a little bit. The live U.S.

markets, get you the DOW INDUSTRIALS out of the gate. That's right about a third of 1 percent higher than NASDAQ, as you see there about just shy of a

half of 1 percent and the S&P 500 a fifth of 1 percent higher.

So, or just about a third of 1 percent higher. So, look out of the gate and up, but not significantly. So, we'll keep an eye on those for you. Well,

the situation in the Caribbean rapidly intensifying, there are growing questions over the Trump Administration's rationale behind sending

thousands of troops and more than a dozen warships to the region.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claims America wants to seize his country's oil reserves, and so far, defied U.S. efforts to force him out.

CNN's Kaitlan Collins pressed Energy Secretary Christopher Wright about Maduro's accusations. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Secretary Wright, can I ask you a few questions. Can I ask you because Maduro wrote a letter

to OPEC, saying the U.S. is trying to seize their oil reserves. What is the president said about their oil reserves? Nothing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, the White House said its recent boat strikes and amassing military presence are meant to target the illegal flow of migrants and

drugs. Whatever the reason, there is no doubt if regime change is coming to Venezuela, oil will play a central role in its future.

South American country is sitting on more than 300 billion barrels worth of crude oil reserves. That's almost a fifth of the world's global reserves.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, it is the single largest known mass of crude oil on the planet.

CNN's Senior Reporter Matt Egan joining us from New York to discuss this. Venezuela producing about a million barrels of oil per day. Let's have a

look at the graphic. That's only about just shy of 1 percent of global crude production, and that is less than half of what it produced before

Maduro took control of the country in 2013.

Let's start with a discussion about what has contributed to the decline of the country's oil industry, Matt.

MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Yeah, Becky, that's because the country has just been in economic crisis for so long, and it's been in the penalty box

when it comes to international sanctions. So, you are talking about an oil industry in Venezuela that is in deep, deep decline.

And that's despite the fact that, as that graphic just showed, Venezuela is sitting on $300 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, right? More

than any other country on the planet, more than Iraq, more than Saudi Arabia, it's quite stunning. But because of that decline and decay of the

oil industry, Venezuela is not a major oil producer.

As you mentioned, less than 1 percent of global oil production comes from Venezuela, even though they account for almost a fifth of the world's

proven oil reserves. And analysts say that it would take years and gobs of money from international oil companies before they could dramatically ramp

up production.

Now, even though the U.S. is the world's leading producer of oil. The U.S. does use some Venezuelan crude, right? Venezuela has this sour, heavy crude

that is used by U.S. refineries to churn out diesel and other fuel. Although Venezuela is not a leading importer of oil into the United States.

Now, as you mentioned, Nicolas Maduro has alleged that this potential military incursion is all about trying to gain control of Venezuela's vast

oil reserves, but the State Department has denied that. Right, the Trump Administration has argued this is really all about trying to stop the flow

of illegal drugs and undocumented migrants into the United States.

But Becky, look, it cannot be lost on U.S. officials, as they look around the world and think about where new oil production can come from, that

there's a lot of oil sitting right in the United States back yard in Venezuela.

[09:35:00]

And if the U.S. had friendlier relations with Venezuela, if the sanctions could get lifted and there could be more investment from U.S. oil

companies, then you could be talking about a significant source of new supply years in the future.

ANDERSON: Yeah, I mean, and of course, the U.S. used to be far more dependent on Venezuelan oil. So, in 2025, this is clearly a significant

opportunity for U.S. oil makers. Should that oil be accessible to them? What potentially happens to Venezuela's crude supply if Maduro is toppled

and there is a regime change in the country. Is it clear at this point?

EGAN: No, it's not. I mean, it's really hard to say how all of this will play out. But look, there is a lot of oil in Venezuela, and there's U.S.

and international oil companies that would likely be eager to try to tap some of that oil. I think the problem, though, is just this decay in the

oil industry in Venezuela.

For example, the state oil company in Venezuela, PDVSA, has said that their oil pipelines have not been updated in half a century. So, we're talking

about billions and billions and billions of dollars that would have to be deployed in Venezuela, a country that obviously has had a checkered

economic track record.

So, some companies might be reluctant to do that, especially because right now, Becky, as you know, oil prices are not really very high, right? We're

still talking about less than $16 a barrel for U.S. oil prices, Brent crude around there as well. So, this would not necessarily be a slam dunk for

international companies to invest in.

You take a look at oil prices right there. But it is easy to see how, if there were regime change, it would at least create the opportunity for oil

companies to tap some of Venezuela's vast oil reserves.

ANDERSON: Got it. All right. Good to have you. Thank you.

EGAN: Thanks, Becky.

ANDERSON: It is December, which means the European football calendar is jam packed. Going to take a look ahead to Barcelona's key matchup with one of

its La Liga rivals Atletico. That is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:40:00]

ANDERSON: Well, no rest for the weary in football, Barcelona, in the midst of a busy stretch later at the company. It's Atletico Madrid, the first of

four matches in the span of 11 days. Well Amanda Davies is with me from "World Sport". Amanda, Barcelona topping out the Spanish league table at

the moment, but it is tight among the top four.

And they've still got something to prove against this Madrid club. Haven't they?

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yeah, I mean, they say the table doesn't lie. But despite the fact it's Barcelona sitting at the top of La Liga at

the moment. They haven't been doing it by Coach Hansi Flick's admission against the big boys so far this season, they lost to rail Madrid.

They've lost in the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain and to Chelsea as well. So, they're facing a really tough task against an Atletico Madrid

side who only sit three points behind them in the table. They're on the run, the team with the momentum at the moment.

And Diego Simeone sides we know are always tough teams to beat. They do not concede goals, yes, bars to score them, but they need to find the way to do

it when it matters. At the moment, they are back at the camp new back after that reconstruction.

ANDERSON: Yeah.

DAVIES: So very much, hoping that the home fans get behind their side to make a statement, because if Atletico were to win this, they would go join

top of the table level on the same number of points as Barcelona.

ANDERSON: Yeah.

DAVIES: And we know heading into Christmas, in this period of crunch time for all the games that really could prove very decisive. But we've got a

proper look ahead. I've been speaking to get together the word from Spain, and that's coming up in just a couple of minutes.

ANDERSON: Yeah. It's interesting. You say they'll be hoping that the home fans get behind them in that stadium. I mean, I've been a couple of times

that -- It's huge. And when they do, I've been to El Clasico there. I'm sure you have to when those home fans get behind them, that place takes

off, right?

DAVIES: Indeed. But equally, when it's not going their way.

ANDERSON: Yeah.

DAVIES: It's not a great place to be as a player wearing their famous blue and red stripe shirt.

ANDERSON: Yeah, you know, you're making a very good point. You're making a very good point. All right. Well, we'll keep an eye on that and "World

Sport" coming up with more analysis ahead of that game after this short break. Amanda, thank you. I'll be back in 15 minutes after "World Sport"

with the second hour of "Connect the World".

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