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Isa Soares Tonight
Maria Corina Machado Confirms U.S. Helped Get Her Out of Venezuela; U.S. Forces Seize Oil Tanker Off Venezuela; Heavy Rainfall Devastates Displaced Palestinians in Gaza. U.S. turns up the pressure on Nicolas Maduro; Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Machado Credits the U.S. for Helping Her Escape; Ukraine Delivers Peace Plan to the United States. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired December 11, 2025 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, the U.S. turns up the pressure on
Nicolas Maduro as Maria Corina Machado emerges amid a triumphant Nobel Prize victory. We speak to a Venezuelan opposition politician live from
Oslo at this vital moment for the country.
Plus, Ukraine hit send on its counter peace proposal as the NATO chief warns Europe, they could be Russia's next target. And an unbearable and
unimaginable situation in Gaza deteriorates further, with tents washed away and children left to freeze as Winter sweeps across the enclave. We have
the latest on the humanitarian crisis that, if possible, is getting even worse.
But first, tonight, with troops grappling from a helicopter, boarding a tanker with rifles raised, an incident at sea is dramatically raising
tensions between the United States and Venezuela amid Donald Trump's extraordinary pressure campaign on President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. says
a tanker seized off the coast of Venezuela was part of an illicit oil shipping network carrying sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
A senior U.S. official says the vessel was in international waters heading for Cuba. It's the first known seizure of Venezuelan oil cargo since U.S.
sanctions went into effect back in 2019. The Venezuelan government is accusing the U.S. of piracy and blatant theft. The Kremlin says Nicolas
Maduro spoke today to Vladimir Putin, who assured him of Russia's support.
President Trump, meanwhile, has ordered a massive military buildup in the region as well as deadly strikes as we've been reporting on the show on
alleged drug boats, saying Mr. Maduro's days are numbered. And just a short time ago, his Homeland Security Secretary directly linked the tanker
seizure with the drug war, saying the U.S. is going after those who fund the trafficking with a shadow fleet of sanctioned oil. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTI NOEM, SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES: It was a successful operation directed by the President to ensure that we're pushing
back on a regime that is systematically covering and flooding our country with deadly drugs and killing our next generation of Americans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Meantime, a top Senate Democrat wants a full briefing for lawmakers giving this stark warning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): I hope there's a briefing for the Senate, and I hope they make it public. We are edging toward war with Venezuela. The
American people have a right to know what's going on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: The White House, meantime, the Press Secretary just spoke just moments ago about what will happen next with that seized tanker. I want to
play what she said about the tanker and the cargo.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The vessel has been seized, as you know, and the Department of Justice is -- did that in conjunction
with the Coast Guard and the Department of War. The vessel is currently undergoing a forfeiture process right now. The United States currently has
a full investigative team on the ground, on the vessel and individuals on board the vessel are being interviewed, and any relevant evidence is being
seized.
With respect to the oil, that's a different issue. As you know, Peter, the vessel will go to a U.S. port, and the United States does intend to seize
the oil. However, there is a legal process for the seizure of that oil, and that legal process will be followed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Let's stay on the story. Let's bring in our Kevin Liptak at the White House. Stefano Pozzebon for us in Caracas. Kevin, let me start with
you. Look, this is clearly a significant escalation by the U.S. as it continues to try to pressure Nicolas Maduro. Do we know at this point
whether this is a new strategy or just a one off here?
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: It's not a one off. And when you talk to American officials, they make pretty clear that if the opportunity
arises in the coming days or the coming weeks to seize further oil tankers, that they will do that. And so, I think this is all a part of that pressure
campaign that has been mounting on Maduro over the last several months or so.
Certainly, American officials tying this directly to their attempts to curb the flow of drugs from that country. But clearly, it's also meant to really
up the pressure on the leadership in Venezuela. I think what's less clear is where this is all headed.
[14:05:00]
Certainly, President Trump, even yesterday, when he was announcing quite remarkably, the seizure of this tanker from the White House, said that
there would be more to come, to stay tuned. That he's been signaling for the last several days, his intent to begin land strikes inside Venezuela.
But at the same time, he doesn't really appear as if he's in a huge rush to order those to go ahead. When you talk to officials, they do say that he
has reservations that any attempt to actually oust Maduro by the United States could have the effect of backfiring. He's very worried that this
could mire the United States in a longer conflict.
So, at the same time that he's very bullish in public talking about Maduro's days being numbered. I think it's still clear that he has stopped
well short of making a decision on how to proceed, which I think is why you will see these continued efforts going forward. Now, you heard Karoline
Leavitt there talking about what is happening now with this tanker.
And American team is on board interviewing crew members, taking evidence, and eventually, she says it will head to an American port where the oil
will be seized. And she says that, that is all sort of within the law they're following a various statutes that would allow the President to do
that.
The strategy appears to be to target Venezuela's top export. You know, oil exports have been something of an economic lifeline, many of them go to
China. American officials say that while this vessel was heading to Cuba, its ultimate destination was somewhere in Asia. And so, you do see how the
White House and how the administration are trying to tighten the screws. But I think the next steps still somewhat unclear.
SOARES: Yes, indeed, let me bring in Stefano Pozzebon, who is in Caracas. And Stefano, I was seeing that the Interior Minister of Venezuela, Diosdado
Cabello called it -- called the U.S. administration murderous thieves and pirates, similar language, I believe we've heard from Nicolas Maduro in
what regards the oil tanker, saying this is blatant theft.
And then he's had this support in the form of a call from one of his allies, President Putin. Do we know what was said in that conversation?
Because from the images that you have shown us, the conversations you have had in the last -- you and I have had in the last 24 hours, it seems that
Maduro is not going anywhere, right? He's doubling down.
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, yes, indeed, he is doubling down definitely. And we've seen him yesterday again surrounded by military and
members of the police. We don't know what exactly was talked between Trump -- between Maduro and Putin. We understand that the usual language of
mutual support and exploration of trade deals and further business to be explored between these two countries.
But I think that these seizure marks a breakthrough from the White House. It's hard to put into context if you come to Venezuela from an
international mindset, how dependent the current government, but the Venezuelan economy in general are from oil. We're talking about more than
90 percent of the foreign income that is directly controlled by the Venezuelan government, because ultimately, all oil exploration here are
nationalized.
A big bunch of that goes to the United States, but like Kevin was saying, need a larger share, perhaps, is sold on the black market to the likes of
China, Russia, Iran and India, which is including these tanks. I think that the White House here, Isa, is frankly changing the tactic. They've realized
that putting Maduro under pressure by blowing one alleged speedboat trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean at a time, it's not really going to
rattle him.
But if you go after the purse of Maduro, which is the lifeline of oil exports, well, then definitely he will definitely feel a much stronger
pressure. And I also think that it's an interesting aspect that many countries and even members of the Venezuelan opposition have distanced
themselves from the Trump administration's stance when it comes to deploying the military against alleged narco traffickers here in Venezuela
without proving too much evidence about it.
One of the first people to endorse and embrace the idea of seizing oil tankers was Maria Corina Machado; the leader of the opposition who has just
been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This is what she told the press earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARIA CORINA MACHADO, VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER & NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER FOR 2025: So, we ask the international community to cut those
sources, because the other regimes that support Maduro and the criminal structure are very active and have turned Venezuela into the -- into the
safe haven for their operations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
POZZEBON: Now, if you're trying to build an international coalition to remove Maduro from power, to put pressure on Nicolas Maduro, perhaps going
after the money, going after the oil that is illegally sold to the likes of China, Russia and Iran is much more -- it's much more cohesive strategy
that you could bridge with rather than just blowing off --
[14:10:00]
SOARES: Yes --
POZZEBON: Speedboats. So, clearly, a change of tactics from the White House.
SOARES: Indeed, not just weakening Maduro, but weakening is in a circle that is crucial. Thank you very much Stefano and Kevin Liptak, appreciate
it. Well, adding to the mounting pressure on the Maduro government that both Kevin and Stefano were talking about, the triumphant, as we showed you
there, re-emergence of Venezuelan's opposition leader into the spotlight as she's been honored, of course, with a Nobel Peace Prize.
Mara Corina Machado is promising to return home with the award, while also vowing to bring democracy back to her country. She calls President Trump's
actions in the Caribbean decisive, and says they've helped weaken the Maduro regime. After 15 months in hiding, Machado met with her fellow
Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez there.
In what appeared to be an emotional reunion in Norway as you can imagine. She says, she was able to elude the Maduro government and complete the
daring journey with help from the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MACHADO: I don't think they have known where I have been, and certainly, they would have done everything to stop me from coming here. And actually,
I want to take advantage of your question to thank all those men and women that risked their lives so that I could be here today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Let's get now from our Pau Mosquera in Oslo.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Over the last few hours, most of the attention here in Oslo has been riveted on this hotel, the Grand
Hotel. This is the place where Maria Machado arrived earlier in the morning of this Thursday. And we saw her waving all the crowds that were waiting
outside the hotel for her arrival.
Now, during the morning, Machado has offered two different opportunities to the press,, to get to ask some questions, to get some clues about, for
example, how did she get out from Venezuela? Or who supported her to get outside? In that sense, she confirmed that she got some help from the U.S.
government to get to Oslo.
Now, another question that all the press that were inside one of -- one of the rooms of this hotel was if she supports a military intervention from
the United States, having in mind what has happened in the Caribbean over the last hours. And that's why she answered.
MACHADO: I was asked if we were supporting an intervention from the United States, and I said that Venezuela has been already been occupied by forces
from totalitarian regimes such as Russia, Iran, Cuba, and criminal groups such as Hezbollah, the drug cartels and the Colombian Guerrilla.
MOSQUERA: But even she offered some answers. There are still some questions that remain unanswered. For example, what comes next for her? Is
she going to travel or go to other countries here in Europe? In that sense, Machado said that right now she wants to focus on her family and friends
that are staying with her in that building, because it's been months since the last time that she saw all of them.
And after that, she's also planning to get a few checkups with the doctors as she hadn't had time during the time that she has been in hiding in
Venezuela. But besides all of that, she's also planning on having some meetings with the authorities. But she has not clarified who will she be
meeting in the next few days. Pau Mosquera, CNN, Oslo, Norway.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And in about 20 minutes time, I'll be speaking with David Smolansky; a Venezuelan opposition politician who backs the U.S. pressure
on Maduro, who will join me live from Oslo to discuss the stakes, of course, for Mara Corina Machado to come out of hiding at this critical
moment. Do stay tuned for our conversation in about 20 minutes time or so here on the show.
We are tracking a significant development in the Kilmer Abrego Garcia case. A U.S. federal judge has ordered him to be released from ICE custody
immediately. Earlier this year, the Trump administration mistakenly deported Abrego Garcia, if you remember, to El Salvador. After a tense
legal battle, he later returned to the U.S. in June.
The judge says after returning, he was then re-detained without lawful authority. She adds the administration's conduct shows that Abrego Garcia's
detention had nothing to do with removing him from the United States. The Justice Department has until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to report on his
release status.
We'll stay across that, of course, for you. And still to come tonight, the back-and-forth between U.S. and Europe over Ukraine. We will tell you where
things stand in those very fast moving push to find a peace plan. And then later in Gaza, more misery and further heartbreak.
[14:15:00]
Flooding in Palestinian tent cities adds to the ever worsening humanitarian crisis. We'll bring you both those stories after a very short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Ukraine's plan to end the war with Russia has been delivered to Donald Trump. We don't yet have the details of exactly what Ukraine is
proposing or what the U.S. President thinks about it. European and Ukrainian officials have decided to gather in Paris this weekend to see if
they can find a plan that works for both Ukraine and Russia.
But it is unclear if U.S. officials will attend that meeting. The White House says Donald Trump is losing patience and there needs to be progress
and soon. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEAVITT: If there is a real chance of signing a peace agreement, if we feel like those meetings are worthy of someone on the United States' time
this weekend, then we will send a representative. If it's still up in the air, whether we believe real peace can be accomplished and we can truly
move the ball forward.
The President is extremely frustrated with both sides of this war, and he's sick of meetings just for the sake of meeting. He doesn't want any more
talk. He wants action. He wants this war to come to an end.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, Donald Trump spoke to European leaders on Wednesday in a conversation that Trump says included pretty strong words. Germany's
chancellor said the call was constructive and said that ultimately it's up to Ukraine to make the final decision on whether to give up land to make
peace.
I want to bring our Fred Pleitgen, who was in today's conference by -- with the German Chancellor. Fred, let me just pick up with you what we've heard
from Karoline Leavitt. Clearly, a sense of frustration, it seems, from the U.S. President saying he wants no more talk. He wants action. Even saying
that it's up in the air, this question of whether the U.S. will send a representative to Ukraine talks over this weekend.
Just give us a sense of what you are hearing from European officials about this frustration and about the latest proposal that Ukraine and Europe have
put forward.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Either, Isa, yes, certainly, the Europeans are feeling that pressure, and it was really
a pretty big day for diplomacy here in Berlin with the NATO Secretary- General, Mark Rutte, here on the ground in Berlin, and then, of course, also that press conference with Friedrich Merz as well.
I think from the European side, what they're saying is, look, they are willing to speak about all of this. They do have a unified position, they
believe, but they also acknowledge, and this was Friedrich Merz today in that press conference when I asked him, they do acknowledge that the
biggest issue right now is possible territorial concessions by the Ukrainians.
[14:20:00]
But one of the things that I'm hearing here from officials in Germany is they say, look, we're now saying that it's the -- up to the Ukrainians
whether or not they want to make any territorial concessions, and that in itself can be seen as a bit of a change from before, when we have heard
from European officials, but they believe that no territorial concessions should be made because, of course, the land that was invaded is Ukrainian
land by international law the Europeans say.
So, it seems as though there may have been a bit of a softening in position as far as that is concerned. Nevertheless, we just heard it there from
Karoline Leavitt, the President, the U.S. President, certainly growing more frustrated with the process, growing more impatient with the process.
Nevertheless, the feeling here in Europe, and certainly in the German capital, Berlin, is that the diplomatic process is still very much on.
There is, of course, a big meeting set to take place between the heads of government of Germany, France and the United Kingdom, where they say they
want to move that diplomatic process forward.
At the same time, I was able to speak to the NATO Secretary-General earlier today as well, and I asked him whether he believed that this peace proposal
has a chance. And here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN: Secretary-General, what chances do you think Trump's peace proposal has?
MARK RUTTE, SECRETARY-GENERAL, NATO: Well, I must say, what the President is doing is amazing. It's crucial. And I really want to commend him for it,
because he was the only one who could break the deadlock with Putin. He did.
So he got the conversation going from February onwards. He was only, I think, four weeks in office when this all started. And I'm trying to do
everything I can, and I know also the allies here in Europe and Canada are doing everything they can to make this into a success. But it is -- you
always need two to tango. It's also a big test of Putin. Whether he wants to play ball, we will see. We'll see. I hope he will.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN: Always takes two to tango. That was Mark Rutte speaking to me on the sidelines of a Munich Security Conference event actually here in Berlin
earlier today. So, right now, the Europeans and NATO obviously saying they believe that the ball is in Russia's court to see whether or not the
Russians are willing to make concessions. Isa.
SOARES: Yes, and that is a big question. But now that you brought up the NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, he also made some other news today. He
basically warned members of the NATO alliance that they could be Russia's next target. What did you make of those comments? Who was that? I mean, who
was that directed at in terms of messaging?
PLEITGEN: Yes, it was a very direct statement, and it came during a speech at that very event from the Munich Security Conference. And I think it was
something that a lot of people who were in the audience there maybe were not prepared for to hear as bluntly as he put it. But he did say, look,
NATO member states need to certainly do a lot more for defense spending.
But I think the other thing that he was talking about as well was cohesion of NATO. He says that, that is something that's extremely important, that
the alliance members stick together.
Of course, one of the things that we have been hearing over the past couple of weeks, and really, since the Trump administration took office, where
some Europeans believe it's unclear to what extent the United States still stands behind the guarantees that the NATO treaty is supposed to provide to
its members.
And so, therefore, Mark Rutte is saying, look, everybody needs to do their homework, everybody needs to spend more on defense and get ready. Because
he does say that he believes the threat from Russia is something that could be very real for NATO member states going forward, and certainly in the
years to come.
He was speaking about possibly within the next couple of years. The Russians, of course, for their part, have at various points denied that.
Nevertheless, there was a sense of urgency in the speech from the NATO Secretary-General where he did urge NATO member states to do more for their
own defense, but also to do more for collective defense as well. Isa.
SOARES: Fred Pleitgen for us this hour in Berlin, good to see you, Fred. Thank you. I want to stay in this story -- with the story, I should say,
pardon me. I want to bring in William Taylor; he's the former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, as well as a Distinguished Fellow with the Atlantic
Council.
Ambassador, great to have you back on the show, I'm not sure whether you could hear my conversation with our Fred Pleitgen there in Berlin, but I do
want to stick with Ukraine and pick up really with that revised Ukraine peace plan that President Zelenskyy has been working on. We don't have much
in terms of details, but reports suggest that any territorial concessions would be put through a referendum. What do you make of what we do have so
far?
WILLIAM TAYLOR, DISTINGUISHED FELLOW, ATLANTIC COUNCIL: Well, Isa, it's clear that the Ukrainians are working with the Europeans on this proposal.
They've gotten a proposal from the United States, that -- we remember the 28-point plan is now down to a 20-point plan, and it's a much more
reasonable one.
And in response to that, Ukrainians and Europeans have just yesterday submitted a revision to Washington. And that's what they're now having the
conversation about. They'll talk about it, as you say, this weekend. But the Ukrainians are taking a very kind of step-by-step approach. Isa, you
will remember, you reported on the minerals deal when the first draft --
SOARES: Yes --
TAYLOR: Was a very lopsided deal, and the Ukrainians made a counterproposal, which the Americans didn't like, frankly. But the
Americans dealt with it, and they came back with another proposal, and they eventually worked out after several -- something that was workable, that
was acceptable to both sides.
[14:25:00]
And it turns out that it was -- it was not bad. That's what's going on now, back and forth, a proposal, counterproposal that's -- and the Ukrainians,
as I say, have the Europeans with them.
SOARES: Yes, look. At the moment it is possible they could be looking at freezing, ambassador, the frontlines. Could that work? I suppose the
obvious question is, who would be overseeing this kind of demilitarized zone? And critically at this point, would be -- would Putin back any of
this?
TAYLOR: Isa, Putin doesn't want to stop the war. He'll say no to any proposal that comes from the Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans. So, Putin
is just stalling. He'll say, no, but you're right. The right proposal, the reasonable proposal is stop in place, ceasefire in place. And then they can
get on about the other questions, the bigger questions.
But they need to stop the killing. And this is what President Trump has been saying over and over, stop the killing. And so, that's what -- that's
what the proposal is coming out, apparently from the Ukrainians and the Europeans.
SOARES: Right, if he's stalling, like you're saying, ambassador, I mean, really, how much trust is there that he would abide, that Putin would abide
by any agreement that he signed too, right?
TAYLOR: Correct, no trust. Zero trust. I mean, he has never agreed to a proposal that he hasn't abrogated, that he hasn't violated. That won't
happen again. So, you get back to the question that you just asked, exactly right. Who is going to monitor and then who is going to enforce? And that's
where again, the Europeans come in.
Europeans are talking seriously about putting a force, a Coalition of the Willing on the ground in Ukraine to deter the Russians from coming back
again, violating a ceasefire and invading again. That's what's going to enforce a ceasefire.
SOARES: Right, and what we've heard repeatedly from President Zelenskyy, ambassador, is that he would be looking for security guarantees, right?
That this would be needed. So, if not a member of NATO, what could the U.S. or even Europe give Ukraine in terms of reassurance, something like Article
5, but in another name?
TAYLOR: Article 5 in another name would be part of that Coalition of the Willing that again, the Brits and the French are leading, but they've got
some 30 nations that are contributing one way or the other. The Brits and the French and what the Estonians, Latvians and maybe the Turks are
seriously talking about putting forces on the ground.
Coalition of forces on the ground in Ukraine after a ceasefire, to be sure that the Russians don't invade again. That's a real security guarantee, and
it would be armed with an Article 5-like commitment that if Russia violates, then they will respond.
SOARES: Ambassador, as always, great to have you on the show. Appreciate your analysis. Ambassador William Taylor there. Thank you --
TAYLOR: Thank you, Isa --
SOARES: Now -- thank you. Now, Bulgaria's Prime Minister has resigned after weeks of street protests against the government over its economic
policies and its perceived failure to tackle corruption. Rosen Zhelyazkov announced his resignation in a televised statement minutes before
parliament had been due to vote on a no confidence motion, and it comes shortly before Bulgaria is due to join the Eurozone on January the 1st.
Tens of thousands of Bulgarians rallied on Wednesday evening. Sofia and dozens of other towns and cities across the Black Sea nation, the latest in
a series of rolling demonstrations that have underlined just the public frustration. And still to come tonight, could the Venezuelan opposition be
having a second wind? What Maria Corina Machado's arrival in Oslo means for the campaign against the Maduro regime. That's after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:30:00]
SOARES: Welcome back. Just recapping one of our top stories. Noble laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has
resurfaced from hiding in Venezuela after a daring escape that took her across the Atlantic to be reunited with her family in Oslo where she says
was made possible with the help of the United States.
As a diaspora welcomed her with open arms, she vowed to return to Venezuela whether President Maduro is still in power or not. Meanwhile, in Caracas,
Mr. Maduro mocked Machado for receiving the award. He's been hosting rallies to bolster support amid news, the U.S. has seized an oil tanker off
Venezuela. Here's more on this week's developments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES (voice-over): Under the cover of darkness in Oslo a moment many thought wouldn't happen. Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela's most prominent
opposition leader stepping onto a hotel balcony waving to supporters and ending months in hiding.
Below her, crowds surged forward chanting brave and freedom in Spanish. Hand on her chest, Machado joined them in singing Venezuela's national
anthem before heading down to meet them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): After all these months in which she's been in hiding and her life's been in danger I think seeing her
together with the entire Venezuelan diaspora is a pleasure and a reassurance that she's safe, and it's also a way for the Venezuelan cause
to stay alive and a way to put more pressure on the regime so that there can be a transition in Venezuela.
SOARES (voice-over): Hours earlier, her daughter accepted this year's Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. The Nobel Committee said Machado had done
everything in her power to attend but warned her journey carried extreme danger.
MARIA CORINA MACHADO, VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER: Certainly, the regime would have done everything to prevent me from coming. They did not know
where I was in hiding in Venezuela so it was hard for them to stop me. It was rude, nonetheless. And yes, we did get support from the United States
government.
SOARES (voice-over): Machado went into hiding after last year's disputed election when President Nicolas Maduro's government cracked down on
dissent. Officials banned her from travelling abroad and said she would be treated as a fugitive if she ever tried to leave the country.
Hours before the opposition leaders arrived on Oslo the United States dramatically seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela's coast.
Washington said the skipper had been involved in illicit trade with Iran and sanctioned the ship in 2022. Maduro swiftly responded to the incident
calling it an act of international piracy.
[14:35:00]
In Oslo, Machado vowed the Venezuela would soon be democratic and free as she has spent decades pushing for what she calls ballots over bullets.
MACHADO: It is very dangerous to leave when you are being looked for and persecuted and accused as I have been, as thousands of other Venezuelans
right now. But it's certainly worthwhile because I think that this is a moment that has -- is a turning point in our history. Venezuelan people are
feeling right now that the world is behind us and that we are not alone. And it's a decisive moment, certainly.
SOARES (voice-over): Now, in Oslo, the Nobel Peace Prize has thrust the Venezuelan opposition movement back into the spotlight.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES (on camera): And I do want to go live to Oslo and welcome Venezuelan opposition politician David Smolansky. David, really appreciate
you being with us here on the show. You were on the ground. I saw Maria Corina Machado's social media. I saw you had a moment where you were
embracing Maria Corina. Tell us what that moment was like seeing you in Oslo after, what, 16 months or so in hiding, David.
DAVID SMOLANSKY, VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION POLITICIAN: Good evening and thank you so much for having me. This is a historic moment for Venezuela. This is
-- these are days that always will be remembered. We are having a very important step towards having democracy and freedom in Venezuela. We are so
honored for Maria Corina Machado being recognized as the Nobel Peace Laureate.
And as she said, this is a recognition to a whole nation, a whole nation that wants to be free, that wants to have democracy, and wants to have
millions to be back and be reunited with their families. So, imagine a Caribbean country now, you know, with this cold in Norway, and all the
diaspora gather, just can't tell you how important this is.
SOARES: Yes, I know from many of my Venezuelan friends how euphoric and happy they were to see her there in Oslo. And in everyone's minds and lips,
I think, David, I think even in Oslo we heard that from our correspondent Pau Mosquer on the ground, was exactly how Maria Corina made it there,
right? She had 16 months in hiding. She hadn't seen her daughter. She hadn't seen her mother.
And then departing, David, Venezuela reports of using boats, wearing wigs, a disguise. Do you know how she did it? Just speak to the risk and the
sacrifice involved in this.
SMOLANSKY: Well, I can understand what she went through, because eight years ago I was in hiding after I was illegally removed when I was mayor
and under arrest warrant. And I had to flee my country in hiding, disguised as a priest, until I got to Brazil. So, I can now give the details how I
fled. In the case of Maria Corina, we wouldn't give details yet, because we can put people in risk. But I can tell you that it was an extraordinary
strategy that we had to have her here in Oslo.
And let me tell you something. She will be back in Venezuela. She will be there again. And we will keep working very hard until Venezuela is free,
because that's what the people decided last year. We already decided the regime change when we had the elections last year.
SOARES: Yes. And look, part of the reason not revealing that strategy and that risk of, like you said, David, is the fact that she said she will
return. You've just said she will return. That comes with huge risk as well.
I'm guessing now that I have you here, that Maria Corina is there, when you're seeing level of the opposition on the ground there, what is your
sense, David, of the pressure that is being applied and how effective that pressure is from President Trump, who's now seizing an oil tanker? Just
your -- just give me your take on whether this pressure can be effective.
SMOLANSKY: Well, I think it's very important what we have seen regarding pressure from International Community during the last three months. First
of all, Cartel de los Soles, Sons Cartel, has been designated as a foreign service organization, not only by the U.S., but also other six Latin
American countries.
[14:40:00]
Furthermore, the reward of Maduro has now gone up to $50 million, highest ever in the U.S. And this deployment in the Caribbean is cutting the money
flows that come from drug trafficking to the regime. I want to remember that despite Venezuela has the largest oil reserve of the world, the main
income for the regime comes from illicit economic activities, drug trafficking, mining, human trafficking, and smuggling.
So, this operation is weakening the regime, is creating fractures and mistrust among themselves. And what happened yesterday, with that seizure
of a dark fleet, that it was a ship that has Iranian ties and that was going to Cuba, it is also weakening the regime, because this regime has
been sending oil for free to Cuba for over 26 years.
SOARES: Yes. Look, I know, I reported on the illegal trading of gold and the money being funneled to Iran many, many years ago. I know how the
regime operates and the financing involved, David. I just wonder in terms of whether you think that the United States and this new strategy of going
after oil tankers, whether you hope that it's not just a one-off, that maybe this is it, right? If we're trying to weaken Maduro and his inner
circle, could this be it?
SMOLANSKY: It should be, because this is a law enforcement case, I have to say it. Venezuelans decided the regime change last year. We voted and we
proved we won in a landslide, 70 to 30, with our voting tallies, the ACTAS, that are now under custody in Panama. In Venezuela, unfortunately, a drug
cartel is running my country. It's not only Nicolas Maduro, it's also a minister of defense, Padrino Lopez. It's also a minister of justice,
Diosdado Cabello, among others.
So, this type of operation, as we saw, of the seizure of the oil tanker, or how they're cutting the money flows that come from the drug trafficking,
again, is creating fractures and mistrust among the regime, and this will continue. This will continue, and we are focused on having an orderly and
democratic transition.
SOARES: Yes, it's very much a financial enterprise. David, great to have you on the show. Thank you very much for bearing the cold with us there in
Oslo. David Smolansky there. Thank you.
SMOLANSKY: Thank you so much.
SOARES: You're very welcome. Still to come tonight, a winter storm rips through Gaza, heaping more misery on displaced Palestinians. We'll bring
you their story after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:45:00]
SOARES: Two months after a ceasefire, heavy rain is exposing the ever- worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. A winter storm ripped through the area, flooding so-called homes in Palestinian 10 cities. Jeremy Diamond has
the latest and a warning there are disturbing images in his report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Already battered by bombs. A night of heavy rain and wind was the final straw for this building in Gaza
City. No injuries were reported, but it was one of several buildings that collapsed amid the most severe storm to hit Gaza this winter.
Gaza's tent camps, where hundreds of thousands now live, face the worst. Floodwaters ravaged this central Gaza camp, where residents equipped with
nothing more than shovels, tried to drain the camp by digging trenches while battening down their tents with mud.
We have been trying to block the water since the morning, but it's not working. Shide Abu Salah (ph) says. We are drowned. We just want to go home
and find comfort.
Despair and frustration are quickly rising. We drown tonight. Mahmoud (ph) cries out, all of our flour and food and drink and children all drowned.
Despite their best efforts, water poured into one tent after the next. Floors bedding, clothes and food stocks all soaked. Other homes submerged
as residents tried to salvage what they could. Humanitarian aid organizations say conditions have been worsened by continued Israeli
restrictions on aid, with insufficient shelters being allowed in.
Tonight, was very difficult. I put the children to sleep there and water came in on us, says Om Ibrahim (ph). You can feel the bedding and the
amount of water in it. And the other children were awake all night trying to remove water from here and there.
The rain is continuing to fall on Gaza. And Hanan Abu Nada (ph) is continuing to fight against it. My body is shaking because of the water. I
can't help myself. I changed my clothes many times because I was already sick from the previous storm, she says. We have drowned. We are exhausted.
We are mentally exhausted. We are devastated and no one feels our pain.
This storm was all too much for seven-month-old Rahaf al-Mujazah (ph), died of hypothermia after her family's tent flooded overnight.
She was completely fine. I breastfed her last night. Then all of a sudden, I found her freezing and shivering, her mother explains. She was healthy,
my sweetheart. But now she is gone, and another mother is left to mourn.
Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:50:00]
SOARES: Get ready now for a very scary story about Artificial Intelligence. ChatGPT is being accused of encouraging a man to murder his
mother and then kill himself. A lawsuit alleges that ChatGPT fueled the paranoia delusions of a 56-year-old man from Connecticut, telling him that
he could trust no one and that his friends and family were spying on him. ChatGPT never suggested that the man should seek professional help and told
him his illusions were real. The lawsuit is the first ever to accuse a chat bot of assisting in a homicide.
Well, Amazon is revealing what its Alexa users most frequently ask the A.I. assistant. It's actually, what does A.I. mean? Other commonly asked Alexa
questions include how to poach an egg, the diameter of the Earth, and how wealthy is Cristiano Ronaldo. Alexa is also frequently asked to play music.
This year's top music requests were for Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, and the songs, of course, from K-pop Demon Hunters. I could tell you that because
that's all we played in my house.
Now, Time magazine has chosen its annual person of the year. It wasn't K- pop this year, it's several people. The magazine has bestowed the title on who they're calling the architects, as you see there, of A.I. They include
the Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, AMD's Lisa Su, Elon Musk, NVIDIA's CEO, Jensen Huang, and OpenAI's Sam Altman. The cover, of course, you'll
recognize that that one is not the famous 1932 laundry top, but a skyscraper photo that featured 11 iron workers.
Each year, Time names a person, a group, or indeed a concept, that it feels had the biggest influence on the world over the past year. Max Foster joins
me now.
MAX FOSTER, CNN LONDON CORRESPONDENT: What do you think?
SOARES: Do they deserve it, you think? I don't think they did. I mean, in terms of A.I. as a concept, have we -- I think it's the year that I've
spoken more about A.I. than any previous year.
FOSTER: Well, the point that they're making, Time magazine, this is their reasoning. This was the year when artificial intelligence's full potential
roared into view and when it became clear that there would be no turning back or opting out. Whatever the question was, A.I. was the answer. And we
have seen it, haven't we? If we just take ChatGPT, people have started using it. So, all this talk about A.I. came into action, but they're really
making the point now there's no turning back.
SOARES: Indeed. I suppose the point, the concern I have is that the cover, they're not the architects of ChatGPT. They're not the engineers. They're
the owners of companies.
FOSTER: Well, they told the engineers what to do.
SOARES: Well, I know, but -- sure, they're just the managers, but they're not the people who actually make it, the creators of it.
FOSTER: Yes.
SOARES: Right? I mean, that's my --
FOSTER: But, you know, they didn't invent it, but, you know --
SOARES: I mean, that's just me --
FOSTER: You could have an academic that might have invented the early part of it, but it's the people that create the applications that have the
impact.
SOARES: Yes. And we've seen that this year, haven't we, in terms of companies using A.I. much more openly, at least speaking about it. We've
seen job creation, we've seen job losses because of A.I. We're still having that question, you know, how long is our business going to survive for,
right, because of A.I? So, I suppose it is pertinent. What other options were there in terms of suggested winners? Do we have a sense?
FOSTER: Donald Trump?
SOARES: Oh, well, he's won it twice.
FOSTER: No, I think like the Nobel Prize, it's, you know, there's so much speculation about who it should be, a lot of people disagreeing with Time,
but their argument is very much that, you know, they're saying here in the past few weeks alone we've learned that A.I. could facilitate communication
with whales, solve an unsolved 30-year-old math problem and outperform traditional hurricane prediction models.
I think you're right, as in, you know, the true potential of it we haven't seen yet, but I think there was this turning point this year and we saw it
in the markets, where people started investing in this as a real option. Unlike the Metaverse, you know, that was the other option that we had.
SOARES: Yes, yes, yes. Of course.
FOSTER: And that didn't come to anything and it didn't have the same amount of money behind it.
[14:55:00]
But now -- I mean, there's also the conspiracy theories online that this is just a way for rich people to make more money and that's been true, hasn't
it? Because if you invested in A.I., you would make money back and the people who are creating A.I. are making money from it. We haven't seen the
specifics, but I think time is calling it. We've --
SOARES: Yes, it asks the questions of what the criteria was. Again, we go back towards the criteria we do not know. Max, I have my doubts. I don't
think that was the moment, but anyway, that's not my choice. Thank you very much, Max.
While A.I. might be the shiny tech tool defining 2025, there's still a lot it can't do. Have a look at this, Max. Like making a plane take off by
using nothing but sheer human force. In a world's first, nine professional cyclists successfully launched a glider plane, as you can see behind them,
by pedaling away on a runway.
Tour de France podium finisher Florian Lipowitz led the extraordinary peloton effort at an airport in Mallorca where his team accelerated to 54km
per hour, harnessed to the glider. The cyclists averaged 650 watts per 90 seconds each, power output comparable to winning a world tour stage.
FOSTER: They're all saying, we're going to go on Isa's show with this one.
SOARES: That does it for us for tonight. Do stay right here. Max Foster's up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
