LiveNewsWatch

Category: US Venezuela

  • Chinese, Russian, & Iranian Warships Arrive in South Africa for Drills

    Chinese, Russian, & Iranian Warships Arrive in South Africa for Drills

    Chinese, Russian, and Iranian warships are in South African waters this week for naval drills. These exercises happen as tensions rise due to the United States’ military actions in Venezuela and its seizure of oil tankers.

    China’s defense ministry announced that the drills will begin with an opening ceremony on Saturday. The main aim is to protect important shipping routes and economic activities. The exercises will include attacks on maritime targets and rescue operations against terrorism.

    Ships from these three countries have been seen coming in and out of the harbor at South Africa’s main naval base in Simon’s Town, near Cape Town, where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean.

    It is unclear if Brazil, India, or the United Arab Emirates, or other BRICS countries, will join the drills. A spokesperson for the South African armed forces has not confirmed the full list of participants, but the exercises will run until next Friday.

    South Africa’s defense forces say these drills will help navies share best practices and improve cooperation. This will contribute to safer shipping routes and regional stability.

    These exercises follow a US military attack on Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, during which President Nicolás Maduro was reportedly abducted.

    US Forces Seizing Venezuela Oil Tankers

    The Trump administration has been taking oil tankers connected to Venezuela from international waters. This includes a Russian-flagged ship in the North Atlantic that the US says broke its sanctions.

    Russia has reacted strongly, calling this seizure a violation of international maritime law.

    In an interview with The New York Times, Trump said he does not care about international law. He claimed that only his “own morality” guides his administration’s strong actions.

    The US has also warned that it might take action against Iran because of the government’s response to recent protests.

    Joint naval drills among BRICS countries could create more tension between the US and South Africa, which has faced criticism from the Trump administration.

    These drills were supposed to happen last November but were delayed because they conflicted with the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

    Let Not Press Panic Buttons

    South Africa’s Deputy Defence Minister, Bantu Holomisa, said the event was planned before the current tensions.

    He asked the public not to worry just because the United States has issues with certain countries. “Those countries are not our enemies,” Holomisa said.

    Some people in South Africa criticized the decision to host Russian and Iranian warships. The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the coalition government, opposes this decision.

    They called the military drills “BRICS cooperation” and argued that it is a way for the government to hide the fact that it is building military ties with nations like Russia and Iran, which are facing sanctions.

  • US State Department Delegation Visits Venezuela for First Time since Maduro’s Capture

    US State Department Delegation Visits Venezuela for First Time since Maduro’s Capture

    A team from the US State Department visited Venezuela on Friday for the first time since Nicolas Maduro was ousted. This visit is part of the US effort to reopen its embassy in Caracas and signals the administration’s goal to re-establish a diplomatic presence in Venezuela.

    US diplomatic and security staff from the Venezuela Affairs Unit, based in Colombia, traveled to the Venezuelan capital. They were with acting US Ambassador to Colombia John McNamara to assess the situation for a gradual return to operations.

    In 2019, the US withdrew its diplomats and closed the embassy in Caracas. Since then, the Venezuela Affairs Unit has been working with US diplomats in Bogotá.

    A senior State Department official said on Monday that they are preparing to reopen the embassy in Venezuela if the president decides to proceed.

    Discussions are ongoing about meetings between US diplomats and Venezuelan political leaders, but these meetings are not likely to happen during this trip, according to a senior US official.

    The Venezuelan foreign ministry announced on Friday that it is starting an “exploratory diplomatic process” with the US. This process aims to re-establish diplomatic missions in both countries and discuss the implications of what they call the “aggression and kidnapping” of Maduro and his wife.

    They confirmed that the US delegation came to Venezuela to assess technical and logistical needs, and stated that a group of Venezuelan diplomats would travel to the US to complete necessary tasks.

    Will US Oil Companies Reopen Operations in Venezuela?

    Former diplomats say that the lack of a US presence in Venezuela will make it difficult to rebuild the country and ensure accountability. Trump wants US oil companies to return to Venezuela to help with rebuilding efforts. He mentioned earlier this week that the US was “asked” to reopen its embassy but did not give more details.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio told important lawmakers during a briefing on Monday that the State Department is looking into reopening the US embassy. He said officials need to check the building to see if it is in good enough shape to reopen, according to a source familiar with the briefing. He added that they plan to send people in the coming days.

    Another source mentioned that there are discussions about sending a team of experts to inspect the building’s condition. They need to find out what repairs are necessary before reopening the embassy.

    The embassy has been closed since the Maduro government cut diplomatic ties with the first Trump administration after it recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó. At the same time, Maduro closed Venezuelan diplomatic offices and withdrew personnel from the US.

    One source said that it might take a long time for the embassy to fully reopen. However, a small team could be set up quickly. Some diplomats have already offered to work in Caracas.

    A former senior US official mentioned that reopening the embassy “could be very fast.” However, the State Department needs to be sure that the security conditions are safe for US personnel.

    “The key issue is whether we have the right security conditions and confidence that our people won’t be injured or kidnapped by the regime. That is the difficult part,” the official told CNN.

  • US Authorities Seized 5th Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela – Officials

    US Authorities Seized 5th Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela – Officials

    US forces have seized another tanker in the Caribbean Sea as part of ongoing efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports. The tanker, called the Olina, is on several countries’ sanctions lists and is the fifth vessel taken by the US in recent weeks.

    The US uses these seizures to pressure Venezuela’s interim government and to remove the “dark fleet” of over 1,000 tankers that carry sanctioned and illegal oil. The US military’s Southern Command stated, “Once again, our forces have sent a clear message: ‘there is no safe haven for criminals.’”

    Officials said the operation took place before dawn, with Marines and sailors working alongside the Department of Homeland Security. They seized the tanker after it left Venezuela, trying to avoid US forces.

    The Olina reportedly left Venezuelan waters late Sunday after US forces captured President Nicolás Maduro in an early morning raid.

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted on X that this was another “ghost fleet” tanker suspected of carrying embargoed oil. She shared a video showing troops descending onto the ship from a helicopter, calling the operation “safe” and “effective.”

    Maritime risk company Vanguard Tech reported that the vessel was trying to break through the US naval blockade in the Caribbean. It had been sailing under a false flag registered to Timor-Leste, according to the International Maritime Organization.

    Vanguard Tech added that the vessel’s location tracker was last active 52 days ago, northeast of Curacao. They noted that the seizure followed a long pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the area.

    The US had sanctioned the Olina last January when it was named Minerva M, accusing it of helping finance Russia’s war in Ukraine by moving Russian oil to foreign markets.

    US Back-to-back Operations

    This week, the United States announced it seized two tankers involved in Venezuelan oil exports during operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean. One of the tankers is the Marinera, which is flagged from Russia. The UK Royal Navy helped capture it by providing support from air and sea.

    The Marinera is believed to be part of a shadow fleet that transports oil for Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, violating US sanctions. US officials say the Marinera was falsely flying the flag of Guyana last month, making it stateless.

    The second tanker, the M/T Sophia, is accused of engaging in illegal activities. Experts explain that, under international maritime law, authorities can board stateless vessels.

    US President Donald Trump stated that Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, will hand over up to 50 million barrels of oil worth about $2.8 billion (£2.1 billion) to the US.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US will sell this oil at market rates and manage how the proceeds are used to benefit the Venezuelan people.

  • US Senate to Vote on Limiting Trump on Venezuela

    US Senate to Vote on Limiting Trump on Venezuela

    The U.S. Senate will vote on a resolution Thursday that would stop President Donald Trump from taking military action against Venezuela without approval from Congress. Supporters believe the vote could be close.

    This vote comes days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a military operation in Caracas. Senators will discuss this resolution, which is part of several efforts to limit military actions against Venezuela, especially after recent attacks on boats off its coast in September.

    Republicans have blocked similar measures before, but the last vote was close at 49-51. Two Republican senators joined Democrats to support a resolution in November. At that time, officials from the administration had told lawmakers they did not plan to change the government or conduct strikes in Venezuela.

    After Maduro’s capture, some lawmakers accused the administration of misleading Congress. Democrats have spoken out publicly, while some Republicans have expressed concerns privately.

    Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who helps sponsor the resolution, said, “I spoke to at least two Republicans today who did not support this resolution before but are now reconsidering.” He added, “I can’t guarantee how they will vote, but at least two are thinking about it, and some are openly sharing their concerns.” Paul did not name the Republicans. Trump’s party has a 53-47 seat majority in the Senate.

    Obstacles Ahead

    The Senate’s approval of the war powers resolution is a big win for lawmakers who want more control over military actions. However, for the resolution to become law, it needs to pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and get through a likely veto from Trump, which requires two-thirds majority votes in both chambers.

    Lawmakers understand the challenges ahead but believe some Republicans may worry about a long and costly effort to change the government in Venezuela. On Wednesday, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he wants to raise the U.S. military budget from $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion.

    Senator Kaine noted that U.S. forces have been hitting Venezuelan boats for months. He also mentioned Trump’s claim that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela and the seizure of Venezuelan oil, stating, “This is not a surgical arrest operation at all.”

    The U.S. Constitution says that any president must get Congress’s approval before starting a long military operation. Senators against the war powers resolution argue that taking on Maduro is a law enforcement issue, not a military one. Maduro is on trial in a U.S. court for drug and gun charges, which he denies. They argue that Trump, as the commander-in-chief, has the right to carry out limited military actions he thinks are necessary for national security.

  • US Attempts to Seize Russian-flagged Tanker Connected to Venezuela

    US Attempts to Seize Russian-flagged Tanker Connected to Venezuela

    The U.S. tried to seize a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela on Wednesday. This action is part of President Donald Trump’s plan to control oil flows in the area and push Venezuela’s socialist government to ally with the U.S. After removing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the U.S. is blocking sanctioned ships from entering and leaving Venezuelan waters. Two officials reported that the U.S. Coast Guard and military attempted to board a tanker that refused inspection last month and is flying a Russian flag.

    The operation could lead to more conflict with Moscow, as a Russian submarine and other vessels have been nearby following a two-week chase in the Atlantic. Russia has condemned U.S. actions regarding Venezuela and is already in conflict with the West over the Ukraine war.

    The Russian state broadcaster RT showed an image of a helicopter hovering near the tanker, named Marinera, suggesting that U.S. forces were trying to board it. The tanker is currently empty. The U.S. Coast Guard also intercepted another fully loaded tanker linked to Venezuela near the northeast coast of South America. This is the fourth incident of this kind in recent weeks.

    China Condemns US ‘Bullying’

    The Trump administration is trying to make a deal with Venezuela to send oil supplies from China and import up to $2 billion worth of crude oil. Trump has openly talked about controlling Venezuela’s large oil reserves with U.S. oil companies after removing President Nicolás Maduro, whom he calls a drug-trafficking dictator connected to the U.S.’s enemies.

    Maduro’s allies in the Socialist Party still hold power in Venezuela. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez is trying to balance denouncing Maduro’s “kidnapping” while also starting cooperation with the U.S. under threats from Trump. Trump said the U.S. would refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of oil stuck in Venezuela due to a U.S. blockade. This would be the first step in his plan to revive the oil sector, despite Venezuela having the largest oil reserves in the world.

    “This oil will be sold at its market price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States, to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!” Trump posted on Tuesday. Sources at the state oil company PDVSA told Reuters that negotiations for an export deal are moving forward, but Venezuela’s government has not made an official announcement.

    Venezuelan Oil Output Will Struggle to Return Quickly to Previous Levels

    Crude oil prices fell by about 1% in global markets due to expected increases in supply. The deal might require cargoes meant for Venezuela’s main buyer, China, to be redirected as Caracas tries to unload millions of barrels stuck in tankers and storage.

    “The United States’ use of force against Venezuela, along with its demands for ‘America First’ regarding Venezuela’s oil, is typical bullying,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference. China, Russia, and Venezuela’s leftist allies have all criticized the U.S. action to capture Maduro, marking it as Washington’s largest intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama to remove Manuel Noriega.

    Allies of the U.S. are worried about the dangerous precedent of trying to seize a foreign leader, especially as Trump threatens further action, from Mexico to Greenland, to support U.S. interests.

    Dozens Died During Capture of Maduro

    Details about the U.S. Special Forces operation in Caracas are still unclear. The forces reportedly flew in by helicopter at night on Saturday, broke through Maduro’s security, and captured him at the entrance of a safe room without any U.S. casualties.

    Venezuela has not confirmed the total losses, but the army announced that 23 of its members died, and Cuba reported that 32 of its military and intelligence members were killed. Maduro, 63, who has been in power since his predecessor Hugo Chávez died in 2013, pleaded not guilty on Monday to drug-related charges in a Manhattan court, where he wore prison clothing and was shackled at the ankles.

    Trump seems to think that working with Maduro’s senior allies is better for stability in Venezuela for now. He is focusing on reviving the oil sector with U.S. firms instead of prioritizing the release of political prisoners or organizing new elections for democratic change.

    Venezuelan Opposition Kept Waiting

    Maria Corina Machado is Venezuela’s main opposition leader. She disguised herself to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in October and wants to return home. She believes the opposition would win a free election easily. However, she is careful not to upset Donald Trump. She wants to personally give him the Nobel Prize, which he wanted, and which she dedicated to him at the time. She supports Trump’s goal of making Venezuela a key ally and an energy hub in the Americas.

    The U.S. has warned Venezuelan officials, including Rodriguez and others, that they must cooperate. If they don’t, they could face the same fate as Maduro. Diosdado Cabello, the Interior Minister known for controlling security forces accused of human rights abuses, is under close watch, according to sources who spoke to Reuters.

    Rodriguez is also under U.S. sanctions. Her foreign financial assets could be used as leverage, said a source familiar with the U.S. government’s plans.

  • Role of Congress Questioned as Democrats Pledge to Rein in Trump over Venezuela

    Role of Congress Questioned as Democrats Pledge to Rein in Trump over Venezuela

    It has become a common pattern: U.S. presidents take military action abroad without Congress’s approval, and Congress often does nothing in response.

    Recently, the U.S. military abducted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. This has led Senate Democrats to pledge to introduce a resolution to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions. Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat, said they will push for a vote within the week, though it may not succeed.

    Since Trump began his second term in 2025, Congress has considered several bills to require him to get approval before launching military strikes. The recent attack on Venezuela shows a clear example of presidential overreach, which experts believe needs Congress to take action. David Janovsky, acting director of the Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight, emphasizes this point.

    Janovsky notes that under the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the power to approve military action. He also points out that the attack on Venezuela goes against the UN Charter, which is considered law in the United States.

    He added, “Past justifications for unilateral military action by presidents simply do not apply here. This is particularly bold.”

    The Struggle Ahead

    Since August, the Trump administration has planned to increase its efforts against Venezuela.

    In August, Trump reportedly signed a secret memo asking the U.S. military to prepare for action against criminal networks abroad. Then, on September 2, the administration began launching strikes on boats suspected of drug smuggling off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia.

    Many condemned this bombing campaign as a violation of international law and as undermining Congress’s power. It happened alongside an increase in U.S. military presence near Venezuela.

    Trump also suggested that the military campaign could soon target drug trafficking in Venezuela itself. “When they come by land, we’re going to stop them the same way we stopped the boats,” Trump said on September 16.

    These strikes led to two votes in the House of Representatives in December. One vote would require Congress to approve any land strikes on Venezuela, while the other would force Trump to seek approval for strikes on drug-smuggling boats.

    Both resolutions failed to pass, mostly along party lines. A similar resolution in the Senate, which aimed to require Congress’s approval for more attacks, also did not pass in November.

    After the recent U.S. operation on Saturday, Senator Tim Kaine spoke to reporters. He hoped that Trump’s bold actions in Venezuela would encourage lawmakers to take action.

    Kaine said Republicans can no longer treat Trump’s military buildup in the Caribbean and his threats as simple “bluffs” or “negotiating tactics.”

    “It’s time for Congress to get serious and do its job,” Kaine stated.

    In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, US Senator Chris Murphy agreed that Congress has become weak on war matters. This issue has been seen in both Democratic and Republican administrations.

    Bash pointed out that former President Barack Obama’s 2011 military action in Libya occurred without Congress’s approval.

    Republicans Are Indifferent About Resolutions

    Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the sole power to declare war, which it has not done since World War II.

    Instead, lawmakers have often used Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) to approve sending troops to recent wars, such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan and for strikes against alleged al-Qaeda members in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

    So far, no AUMFs have been passed for military action in Venezuela.

    If lawmakers think the president is acting beyond their legal power, they can pass a war powers resolution. This resolution requires Congress to approve any further military actions.

    These resolutions are mostly symbolic, but they give a legal basis to challenge the president’s actions in court. However, they are hard to pass since two-thirds of both chambers of Congress must agree to override a presidential veto.

    With the current Congress, passing a war powers resolution would likely need support from both parties.

    Republicans have narrow majorities in the House and Senate, so some members of Trump’s party would need to support the resolution for it to pass.

    In November’s Senate vote, only two Republicans, Rand Paul from Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, voted in favor. The resolution failed with a vote of 51 to 49.

    In December, a similar vote in the House only received 211 votes in favor and 213 against. In that vote, three Republicans supported the resolution while one Democrat opposed it.

  • US Administration to Hold Meetings with Oil Companies over Venezuela – Source

    US Administration to Hold Meetings with Oil Companies over Venezuela – Source

    The Trump administration will meet with U.S. oil company executives later this week to discuss increasing oil production in Venezuela after U.S. forces removed its leader, Nicolás Maduro.

    These meetings are important for the administration’s goal of bringing major U.S. oil companies back into Venezuela. The Venezuelan government took control of U.S.-operated energy projects nearly twenty years ago.

    The three largest U.S. oil companies, Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron, have not talked to the administration about Maduro’s removal, according to four oil industry executives. This goes against Trump’s claims over the weekend that he met with “all” the U.S. oil companies before and after Maduro was ousted. One source said, “None of these three companies has talked to the White House about operating in Venezuela, either before or after the removal.”

    These upcoming meetings are crucial for the administration’s plans to increase oil production and exports from Venezuela. Venezuela, an OPEC member, has the world’s largest oil reserves, and U.S. refineries can process its crude oil. Experts say achieving this goal will take years of work and billions of dollars in investment.

    “All of our oil companies are ready and willing to invest heavily in Venezuela to rebuild their oil infrastructure, which the illegitimate Maduro regime has destroyed,” said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers.

    Big Plans, Big Problems

    On Saturday, U.S. forces quickly raided Venezuela’s capital and arrested President Nicolás Maduro. They sent him to the United States to face drug-related charges.

    After Maduro’s capture, former President Trump said he expects major U.S. oil companies to invest billions to increase Venezuela’s oil production. Production has dropped to about one-third of its best level over the past twenty years because of low investment and sanctions.

    However, experts note that these plans may face challenges due to poor infrastructure and uncertainty about Venezuela’s political future, legal situation, and U.S. policies. Currently, Chevron is the only major American oil company working in Venezuela’s oil fields. ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips had successful operations in the country until former President Hugo Chávez took over their projects.

    An oil industry executive, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “I don’t think any company besides Chevron, which is already there, will decide to develop this resource.” ConocoPhillips is seeking billions in compensation for losing three oil projects under Chávez. ExxonMobil has been involved in long legal disputes after leaving Venezuela in 2007.

    Chevron exports about 150,000 barrels of crude oil daily from Venezuela to the U.S. Gulf Coast. It has carefully worked with the Trump administration to maintain its operations in Venezuela over the past few years.

    Investors are optimistic, betting that U.S. actions against Venezuela’s leaders will give U.S. companies access to the country’s oil reserves. However, Trump noted that a U.S. embargo on Venezuelan oil is still in place.

    As a result, the S&P 500 energy index reached its highest point since March 2025, with ExxonMobil rising by 2.2% and Chevron jumping by 5.1%.

  • Venezuela’s Acting President Offers U.S. Cooperation After Trump Warns of Possible Strike

    Venezuela’s acting president invited the United States on Sunday to work together on a plan for “shared development.” This was the first time the Venezuelan government had taken a friendly approach since U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro.

    In a social media statement, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said her government wants to build respectful relations with the United States. She had previously called the Saturday operation an illegal takeover of the country’s resources.

    “We invite the U.S. government to work with us on a cooperation plan focused on shared development under international law, which would help strengthen community relations,” Rodriguez said. “President Donald Trump, our people, and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war.”

    Rodriguez, who is also the oil minister, is seen as the most practical member of Maduro’s team. Trump has suggested she is willing to collaborate with the U.S.

    However, she and other officials publicly described the detentions of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as a kidnapping and stated that Maduro is still the country’s legitimate leader.

    On Sunday, Trump told reporters he could order another strike if Venezuela does not help the U.S. open its oil industry and stop drug trafficking. He also warned of potential military action in Colombia and Mexico and claimed Cuba’s communist government appears to be on the brink of collapse. The Colombian and Mexican embassies in Washington did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

    Maduro To Appear in U.S. Court On Monday

    Rodriguez announced that Maduro will appear before a federal judge in New York on Monday. Officials from the Trump administration claim that his capture is a law enforcement effort to hold Maduro accountable for criminal charges from 2020, which say he was involved in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.

    Trump has also mentioned that other reasons influenced the raid. He said it was partly due to an increase in Venezuelan immigrants coming to the U.S. and Venezuela’s decision years ago to take control of U.S. oil interests. “We’re taking back what they stole,” he said on Air Force One while returning to Washington from Florida. “We’re in charge.”

    Trump added that oil companies will come back to Venezuela to rebuild the country’s oil industry. He claimed, “They’re going to spend billions of dollars, and they’re going to take the oil out of the ground.”

    Venezuela – High on Oil Reserves but Low on Production

     

    Trump Threatens Colombia’s Petro, Claims Cuba’s ‘Ready to Fall’

    Global oil prices rose slightly as investors considered what U.S. military action in Venezuela might mean, and stock markets went up in Asia.

    Maduro, 63, faces charges that accuse him of helping major drug trafficking groups like the Sinaloa Cartel and the Tren de Aragua gang. Prosecutors say he ran cocaine trafficking routes, used the military to guard shipments, protected violent trafficking groups, and used government property to move drugs. Originally filed in 2020, the charges were updated on Saturday to include his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also captured by U.S. forces and is accused of ordering kidnappings and murders.

    Maduro denies any wrongdoing, and it may take months before he goes to trial.

    Raid Draws Criticism and Questions About Legality

    The United States has called Nicolás Maduro an illegitimate dictator since he claimed victory in the 2018 election, which had many allegations of fraud. Former President Trump has said that opposition leader María Corina Machado cannot take over because she does not have enough support.

    Machado is banned from the 2024 election but believes her ally, Edmundo González, has the right to be president. Some international observers say González won that election overwhelmingly.

    Most countries do not support Maduro, but many have questioned the legality of taking a foreign leader by force. They want the U.S. to follow international law. The U.N. Security Council plans to meet on Monday to discuss the U.S. attack. Secretary-General António Guterres called this action a dangerous precedent.

    China has also criticized the U.S, saying it violates international law. They demand the release of Maduro and his wife.

    This attack has raised concerns in the U.S. Some opposition Democrats say the administration misled them about its policy on Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to brief lawmakers in Washington later on Monday.

    Venezuela, once a wealthy country in Latin America, has seen its economy collapse over the last 20 years. This crisis has caused many Venezuelans to leave, with one in five moving abroad. Removing Maduro, who has led Venezuela for over 12 years after Hugo Chávez’s death, could make the situation in the country of 28 million people even worse.

  • Trump Threatens Colombia’s Petro, Claims Cuba’s ‘Ready to Fall’

    Trump Threatens Colombia’s Petro, Claims Cuba’s ‘Ready to Fall’

    U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Colombian President Gustavo Petro after the U.S. abducted Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro. Trump also suggested that the Cuban government might fall soon.

    These comments from Trump came on Sunday, despite widespread condemnation of the U.S. action. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain called this abduction a “dangerous precedent for peace and regional security.”

    While speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump described Colombia and Venezuela as “very sick” countries. He claimed that Petro, the leader in Bogotá, is “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” Trump added, “And he’s not going to be doing it very long. Let me tell you.”

    When asked if he meant a U.S. operation against Colombia, Trump replied, “Sounds good to me.”

    Petro responded sharply, telling Trump to “stop slandering” him. He urged Latin American countries to unite, warning that they could be treated as “servants and slaves.”

    In several posts on X, Petro pointed out that the U.S. is the first country ever to bomb a capital in South America. However, he said that revenge is not the answer.

    Instead, he called for Latin America to come together and become a region that can “understand, trade, and connect with the whole world.” He added, “We do not look only to the north, but in all directions.”

    Trump’s Warnings to Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba

    US forces captured Maduro in Caracas on Saturday. Washington called this a law enforcement operation to bring him to trial for “narcoterrorism” charges.

    Maduro denies these claims. Critics say the U.S. wants to remove him to control Venezuela’s oil reserves.

    On Air Force One, Trump said the U.S. is still “in charge” of Venezuela, despite the country’s Supreme Court naming Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the interim leader. He warned that the U.S. military could return to Venezuela if it “doesn’t behave.”

    Trump claimed that many Cubans died in the U.S. raid on Caracas. He added that intervening in Cuba is unnecessary because the country seems ready to collapse on its own.

    “Cuba is ready to fall,” he said. “They have no income now. They got all their money from Venezuela and Venezuelan oil. They’re not receiving any of it. Cuba is literally ready to fall.”

    Trump also warned Mexico to “get their act together” because drugs are flowing through Mexico and action is needed. He called Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum a “terrific person” and said he offered to send U.S. troops to Mexico whenever he talked to her.

    He noted that the Mexican government can handle the problem, but the cartels are very powerful in Mexico. Trump has been clear about wanting to expand U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere, revisiting the Monroe Doctrine, which states that Latin America is under U.S. influence. He calls his version the “Don-roe Doctrine.”

    His remarks on Sunday were not his first warnings to Latin American countries.

    After Maduro’s capture, Trump told Petro to “watch his back” and mentioned that the political situation in Cuba is “something we’ll talk about because Cuba is a failing nation.”

    Dangerous Precedent

    The U.S. attack on Venezuela has received strong criticism from many countries.

    Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain made a joint statement to express their strong concern and rejection of the military actions in Venezuela.

    They said, “These actions break important international laws, especially the rules against using or threatening force. These actions create a dangerous situation for peace and regional security and put civilians at risk.”

    Analysts also pointed out that it is uncertain whether Trump will act on his threats or if he is trying to pressure these countries into working with the U.S.

    “It’s hard to predict. Trump often hopes that other countries will do what he wants without using much force. He believes that these quick, public shows of force, like the bombing in Iran and the operation in Venezuela, will scare other nations into complying,” said David Smith, an associate professor at the University of Sydney’s U.S. Studies Centre.

    Trump’s Push for Regime Change in Latin America

    Trump is trying to influence governments in Latin America. Smith says he has clashed with Colombian President Gustavo Petro over deportation flights. He also sanctioned a Brazilian judge who prosecuted former President Jair Bolsonaro for trying to start an insurrection. Bolsonaro is a Trump supporter.

    Trump has supported the right-wing government of Javier Milei in Argentina and pardoned ex-Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who faced drug trafficking charges.

    Smith noted that in the first year of his administration, Trump has aimed to promote right-wing governments in Latin America and weaken left-wing governments.

    Matthew Wilson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University, believes Cuba will be a top target for further U.S. action. The U.S. has a long history of issues with Cuba.

    Relations between the U.S. and Cuba have been tense since Fidel Castro overthrew a U.S.-backed government in 1959 and set up a socialist state with the former Soviet Union.

    Wilson stated, “I would be more concerned if I were in Cuba than in Colombia. The U.S. has long-standing grievances against Cuba and a strong group of Cuban Americans who are very hostile to the regime there.”

  • Maduro Detained at New York Facility as Trump Claims US will Run Venezuela

    Maduro Detained at New York Facility as Trump Claims US will Run Venezuela

    President Nicolás Maduro is currently in custody at a detention center in New York after being captured during U.S. military operations in Venezuela on Saturday.

    Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, were transferred from Caracas to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to face charges related to drug trafficking.

    Maduro has previously denied that he leads a drug cartel.

    In response to the situation, Venezuela has declared a state of national emergency and condemned what it refers to as “military aggression.” Here is an overview of how the U.S. operation unfolded.

    President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. intends to “run” Venezuela “until such time as we can achieve a safe, proper, and judicious transition.”

    Trump said that U.S. oil companies would fix Venezuela’s infrastructure and help the country make money.

    Some observers are worried about this. They think Trump may not really care about creating a democratic and fair future for Venezuela. Instead, they believe he might be focused on taking advantage of its oil wealth, as reported by correspondent Tom Bateman.

    Maduro’s Accusations Against the Trump Administration

    Maduro says that Trump wanted to get rid of him so he could take Venezuela’s oil. After the U.S. took an oil tanker near Venezuela, Trump said, “I think we will keep the oil.”

    However, U.S. officials have repeatedly denied Maduro’s claims. They say their actions against his government were not meant to access Venezuela’s untapped oil reserves.

    As reported by my colleague, Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, and profits from the oil sector account for more than half of its government budget. Unfortunately, the country’s oil exports have suffered due to sanctions, a lack of investment, and mismanagement within its state-run oil company.

    In 2023, Venezuela produced only 0.8% of global crude oil, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Currently, it exports approximately 900,000 barrels of oil per day, with China being its largest buyer.

    Venezuela Oil is Likely to Play a Crucial Role

    Former President Trump has made it clear that he wants the United States to have access to Venezuela’s oil fields. The country boasts an estimated 300 billion barrels of oil reserves, making it the largest on Earth. Although most of this oil is extra-heavy crude, which is costly and difficult to extract, Venezuela remains the fifth-largest exporter of oil globally.

    Despite an increasing number of U.S. Navy vessels being stationed in the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela still managed to send nearly a million barrels of oil per day to China, southern Europe, and the U.S. last month. However, oil production has been significantly affected in recent years due to political unrest. For decades, the state-owned oil and natural gas company, Petróleos de Venezuela, has faced strikes and accusations of poor safety standards.

    The U.S. has accused President Maduro of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking, while Maduro has accused Washington of seeking to control Venezuela’s oil reserves. Fortunately, the oil fields appear to have escaped damage from recent airstrikes. Regardless of what lies ahead for Venezuela, its oil industry is likely to continue playing a vital role.