Squawk Pod Venezuela’s Exodus & AI’s Power 12/29/25
Dec 29, 2025
In this discussion, Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, CNBC contributor and CEO of MCC Global, investigates the deep-rooted issues behind Venezuela's political crisis, touching on drug trafficking, oil mismanagement, and the international implications of the mass exodus. Bradley Tusk, founder of Tusk Ventures, dives into the complexities of AI regulation, exploring the energy demands associated with data centers and his innovative ideas for sustainable solutions. Together, they unveil the intricate web of geopolitical and technological challenges shaping today's world.
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Venezuela's Regional Destabilization
- Venezuela's collapse has produced roughly 8 million migrants and destabilized the Western Hemisphere.
- Michelle Caruso-Cabrera warns Maduro's ties to Russia, China, Iran, Hezbollah, and Cuba deepen regional risks.
Presidential Hangar Drug Bust Story
- Michelle recounts reporting on Maduro's stepson arrested by the DOJ in Haiti with cocaine on a plane from the presidential hangar.
- The episode illustrated high-level involvement in drug trafficking tied to the regime.
Boosting Oil Production Could Reverse Exodus
- Restoring Venezuela's oil output could stabilize its economy and reduce migration pressures.
- Michelle Caruso-Cabrera argues mismanagement, not sanctions alone, collapsed production from millions to under one million bpd.