Cartels, The CIA, and Trump’s True Intentions in Venezuela - CNN One Thing - Podcast on CNN Podcasts

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One Thing: Cartels, The CIA, and Trump’s True Intentions in Venezuela
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CNN One Thing

You’ve been overwhelmed with headlines all week – what's worth a closer look? One Thing takes you beyond the headlines and helps make sense of what everyone is talking about. Host David Rind talks to experts, reporters on the front lines and the real people impacted by the news about what they've learned – and why it matters. New episodes every Wednesday and Sunday.

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Cartels, The CIA, and Trump’s True Intentions in Venezuela
CNN One Thing
Oct 19, 2025

President Donald Trump publicly admitted he has authorized he authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to crack down on flows of illegal drugs and migrants to the US. It comes as Trump continues to authorize deadly strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. But is this really about drugs – or regime change? 

Guests: Natasha Bertrand, CNN Correspondent & Steven Dudley, co-director, InSight Crime 

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Host: David Rind 

Producer: Paola Ortiz 

Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin 

Editorial Support: Dan Bloom