It focuses on offshore gas exploration, particularly in the Deltana Platform and the Loran gas field, key areas in Venezuela’s northeastern energy reserves.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rodríguez described BP’s return as a signal of the kind of international partnerships Venezuela aims to rebuild. She said the government is pursuing “relations of respect” and cooperation based on shared benefits, adding that the deal forms part of a broader energy agenda designed to support economic recovery and job creation.

The ICJ is set to begin oral hearings on May 4 in the dispute over Essequibo, a resource-rich region administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela. Guyana is asking the court to uphold the 1899 arbitral award that fixed the current boundary, while Venezuela insists the matter should be handled under the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

Rodriguez also announced an oil production agreement with Italian energy firm Eni, saying it would support Venezuela’s economic recovery and public welfare. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, speaking at the same event, blamed U.S. sanctions for damaging the country’s economy and rejected claims that he holds assets abroad.

Petro also pushed for a coordinated strategy to dismantle criminal networks and highlighted energy transition as a pathway to reducing violence and fostering sustainable development. The visit signals a renewed effort to stabilise bilateral ties, revive trade and address long-standing security challenges affecting border communities.

“Why do we want Venezuela free of sanctions? Because we want Venezuela to be able to fully expand, without any kind of restriction, all of its capacities, all of its potential, its immense wealth that has made Venezuela,” she said.

Rodríguez also urged political leaders and citizens to reflect on the events of January 3, saying the violence should never be repeated.

Republican Representative María Elvira Salazar, who chairs the panel, praised President Donald Trump’s Venezuela policy and said no recent administration had gone as far. In opening remarks released by the committee, Salazar said Maduro’s fall had changed the region and increased pressure on other authoritarian governments, especially Cuba.

Democrats on the panel, however, questioned both the legality and the motives behind U.S. action in Venezuela. Representative Joaquin Castro argued that the intervention was driven less by democratic ideals than by oil and warned that a similar strategy toward Cuba could further destabilise the region.

"This administration did not invade Venezuela because it was outraged by that theft, though. And to be clear, I would not have supported an invasion to enforce the results of the election. We know why the president ordered US service members into harm's way. Venezuela's oil, not democracy ," Castro said.

His remarks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Havana, with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel recently warning against any U.S. attack and saying such a move would have serious regional consequences.

Speaking at an official event, Rodríguez thanked the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Qatar and the United States for supporting the process, and also acknowledged U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Viory reports. The reopening comes after relations with the IMF were effectively paused in 2019 amid disputes over international recognition of Venezuela’s government.

Rodríguez also enacted Venezuela’s new Organic Mining Law, saying it would help attract major domestic and foreign investment into the sector.

"This is good news for Venezuela, good news for our people . In national unity, we will continue paving the way so that, together, we can build a Venezuela free from sanctions, for the well-being and happiness of our people," she said.

According to recent reporting, the legislation replaces a nearly 30-year-old framework, allows multiple ownership structures including public, private and mixed companies, and offers broader legal guarantees and a more flexible tax regime for investors.

The mining reform forms part of a push by Caracas to open the sector to foreign capital as it looks for new revenue sources beyond oil.

American Airlines said it plans to resume flights to Venezuela as early as April 30, potentially becoming the first US carrier to return after a seven-year suspension of services. The airline received approval from the US Department of Transportation in early March and is now working with authorities in both countries to finalise security and regulatory requirements. If cleared, the carrier will operate daily nonstop flights between Miami and Caracas using Embraer 175 aircraft, with services run by its regional subsidiary Envoy. The move follows a major shift in US–Venezuela relations after the January 3 operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, which prompted Washington to lift a long-standing ban on commercial flights imposed in 2019 over safety concerns.

Venezuela opens mining sector to private investors after oil overhaul

Venezuela has approved sweeping reforms to open its mineral sector to private and foreign investors, just weeks after easing state control over oil, as part of a US-backed economic shift. The new law introduces long-term concessions, legal protections and international arbitration to attract investment into a sector long dominated by the state and plagued by illegal mining. The move follows the January removal of Nicolás Maduro and the rise of interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, who is pushing market-oriented reforms to revive the economy. Despite vast reserves of gold, diamonds and other minerals, much of the sector remains underdeveloped and controlled by illicit networks, raising doubts about how effectively the reforms can be enforced.

Venezuela’s scrapped plan to acquire Iranian ballistic missiles

In 2020, Venezuela’s defence ministry under Nicolás Maduro set aside more than $400 million to acquire a ballistic missile system from Iran, according to internal documents cited by officials familiar with the plan. The proposal was part of broader discussions between Tehran and Caracas over transferring long-range missile capabilities, raising concerns in Washington that such weapons could threaten US territory. US officials at the time pushed back strongly, warning that any transfer would not be tolerated. The deal was ultimately abandoned under American pressure, and no missiles were delivered, though evidence suggests negotiations had advanced further than publicly acknowledged.

Venezuelan police block wage and pension protesters in Caracas

Workers and retirees in Caracas marched towards the presidential palace, demanding higher wages and decent pensions, but were blocked by police, highlighting deepening anger over incomes of about $160 a month in the public sector and $237 in the private sector, far below the cost of living. The protest came a day after interim President Delcy Rodríguez urged patience while promising a cautious wage increase. Still, demonstrators pushed past initial barricades before being stopped roughly 2 kilometres from the Miraflores palace, underscoring growing frustration with years of stagnant pay and limited purchasing power.

Delcy Rodríguez stays on as Venezuela’s acting president beyond the 90-day limit

Delcy Rodríguez has remained Venezuela’s acting president beyond the 90-day constitutional limit set after Nicolás Maduro’s capture, with lawmakers yet to formally extend her mandate, leaving her tenure legally uncertain. A court ruling still recognises Maduro as president, describing his absence as “forced”, while the constitution allows an interim leader for 90 days, extendable once by the National Assembly, which has not held a vote. Analysts say the situation reflects a familiar pattern of legal manoeuvring to maintain power amid ongoing political uncertainty.

"I also ask that we correct our own past mistakes; we recognise them, we correct them, and I ask that we do not repeat them," she said.

Rodríguez said the sanctions had severely damaged the economy , leading to years of contraction, hyperinflation and widespread shortages. She noted that inflation once exceeded 300,000% and said the crisis had triggered a wave of migration, with many professionals leaving the country in search of better opportunities.

Rodríguez has been serving as acting president since January, after U.S. forces captured former president Nicolás Maduro, a move that plunged the country into political uncertainty.

Data from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries shows Venezuela holds the world’s biggest proven reserves, estimated at more than 303 billion barrels. Iran ranks third with about 208 billion barrels, behind only Saudi Arabia.

On paper, the U.S. military actions against these two countries were justified differently.

In Venezuela , Washington accused President Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug cartel and repeatedly portrayed the country as a source of deadly narcotics entering the U.S. Officials also described Maduro as responsible for mass migration into the U.S. and accused his government of exploiting American oil interests.

Iran , meanwhile, was framed as a security threat. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington knew Israeli action was imminent and that the U.S. had to act “pre-emptively” against expected Iranian attacks on American forces.

But both countries also sit on vast oil reserves at a time when the U.S. remains heavily dependent on crude.

The U.S. consumes about 20.6 million barrels of oil a day. Roughly 40 percent of that — about 9.1 million barrels — is used to power motor vehicles. The country imports around half of its daily crude supply, more than 10 million barrels a day.

Will Trump do to Iran what he did with Venezuela?

In late February, U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered the most serious regional crisis in years. The attacks killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and targeted military and strategic sites across the country, drawing Tehran into direct confrontation with Washington and its allies.

Iran is not only a regional power but also one of the world’s largest oil producers. Any disruption to its energy sector reverberates through global markets.

At the same time, Washington has moved to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry with the help of American firms.

The U.S. Department of State said the Trump administration has issued a series of licences allowing U.S. companies to market Venezuelan oil, supply essential production inputs and repair the country’s ageing oil infrastructure.

One licence authorises firms incorporated in the U.S. to market Venezuelan crude to buyers around the world, including largely in the U.S. Payments must be made on commercial terms and deposited into accounts in the U.S. overseen by the State and Treasury departments.

Other licences allow U.S. companies to sell diluent needed to produce Venezuela’s heavy crude and to provide equipment and services for the oil and gas sector. Additional authorisations permit negotiations on new upstream investment projects.

Washington has said the measures are designed to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector after years of instability and mismanagement.

The State Department said revenues from the oil trade will be handled transparently and used for the benefit of the Venezuelan people, while the investments are intended to help modernise the country’s energy infrastructure.

U.S. officials have also framed the policy in terms of energy security.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Venezuela — once heavily sanctioned — is becoming a “ strategic ally ” with the world’s largest oil reserves. Venezuelan crude, he said, could help stabilise fuel prices in the U.S. and reduce vulnerability to disruptions elsewhere.

Venezuela’s state oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., has already signed new contracts to supply crude and refined products to refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Taken together, the developments place the world’s largest oil consumer closer to two of the biggest oil reserves on earth — one through renewed energy ties in its own hemisphere, the other amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The Trump administration is quietly preparing a possible criminal case against Venezuela's interim president , Delcy Rodríguez, including drafting an indictment, as part of efforts to increase U.S. leverage over Caracas, according to four sources familiar with the matter. Prosecutors are considering corruption and money-laundering charges linked to Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA and have warned Rodríguez she could face prosecution unless she continues cooperating with Washington after the U.S. removal of Nicolás Maduro in January. The draft charges are being developed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami and have evolved over the past two months, the sources said. The investigation focuses on the alleged laundering of PDVSA funds between 2021 and 2025. Separately, U.S. officials have also presented Rodríguez with a list of at least seven former senior Venezuelan officials and associates they want detained in Venezuela for possible extradition, according to the sources.

Venezuela pledges mining reform as US official visits

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas as the Trump administration seeks to expand oil and mineral production in the South American country. Following the talks, Rodríguez said she would soon submit a proposal to Venezuela’s legislature to reform the country’s mining laws in an effort to attract foreign investment. Burgum said economic cooperation between the United States and Venezuela could grow significantly and noted that he was accompanied by representatives from several U.S. companies interested in accessing the country’s oil and mineral resources. He said investors are eager to begin projects and reduce regulatory barriers that could allow new capital to flow into Venezuela’s energy and mining sectors. The visit comes months after Washington backed the removal of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a move that drew criticism from some international observers.

Freed Argentine officer calls for release of foreign prisoners in Venezuela

Nahuel Gallo, an Argentine military police officer released after 448 days in detention in Venezuela, has urged the international community to push for the release of 24 foreign nationals still held in the Rodeo I prison, a facility widely criticised for its harsh conditions. Speaking at a news conference in Buenos Aires, Gallo said he would not feel truly free until the remaining detainees regain their freedom. Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, who appeared alongside him, thanked international allies including the United States, Italy and Israel for their support in securing Gallo’s release. Gallo was arrested in December 2024 while travelling to visit family and was accused by Venezuelan authorities of espionage. Venezuela’s government claimed he attempted to enter the country irregularly while concealing his true intentions.

How Venezuelan prisoners smuggled messages from jail

In a small apartment near Caracas, Adriana Briceño holds up what looks like rubbish. Hidden on the back of a chocolate wrapper is a message written by her son to his father, Ángel Godoy, while he was imprisoned in Venezuela’s notorious El Helicoide jail. “Daddy, take this to sweeten things a little. We love you,” the note reads. Originally built in the 1950s as a luxury shopping centre, El Helicoide was never completed and was later turned into a detention centre run by Venezuela’s intelligence services. It became a symbol of repression, with UN investigators documenting cases of arbitrary detention and torture there. Recently released prisoners say they endured beatings, isolation and threats against their families. Hundreds of political detainees have been freed since January, though many remain behind bars, according to rights groups.

Venezuelan was deported to an El Salvador prison over tattoos

In Bogotá’s Bolívar Square, Venezuelan migrant Luis Muñoz Pinto recalled the moment he was deported from the United States to El Salvador’s notorious Cecot mega-prison. The 27-year-old was among more than 250 Venezuelan men deported last March after the Trump administration accused them of links to the Tren de Aragua gang. “I thought my life had ended,” he said, describing the shock and harsh treatment u pon arrival. Now free, Muñoz Pinto is among more than 100 deportees a U.S. federal court has said must be allowed to return to the United States for due process. He insists the tattoos on his knees, two roses, were wrongly interpreted as gang symbols. “They are for my younger sisters, who are twins,” he said. “They have nothing to do with gangs.”

Standing at the lectern, Chávez pointed to the podium and said:

“Yesterday, the devil came here. Yesterday, the devil was right here. In this very spot. It still smells like sulphur... Ladies and gentlemen, from this very podium, the President of the United States, whom I call the devil, came here speaking as if he owned the world.”

During his nearly six-minute speech, Chávez used the platform to criticise what he described as Washington’s efforts to impose its political and economic model on other countries, often through military force. According to Chávez, the United States was attempting to shape the world in its own image while dismissing critics as extremists.

He also challenged Bush’s claim that the United States wanted peace, arguing that the actions of the US government told a different story.

“The United States does not want peace; it wants to impose its model of exploitation and looting and its hegemony at the point of a gun.”

The former Venezuelan leader also condemned military actions in the Middle East and accused what he described as imperialist powers of targeting civilians.

“Imperialist fire. Fascist fire. Murderous fire and genocidal fire. That of the Empire and Israel against the innocent people of Palestine and the people of Lebanon.”

Nearly two decades later, the issues Chávez raised during that speech are once again being debated amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Iran after weeks of military buildup and threats from US President Donald Trump. Later, it was confirmed that the strikes on Tehran killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran quickly retaliated by firing ballistic missiles at Israel and US facilities across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said the goal of the operation was to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime", urging the people of Iran to capitalise on the attack as what he described as the “only chance for generations” to take over their government.

Before the Iran attack, Chávez’s own successor, Nicolás Maduro, was removed from power after US special forces carried out a direct military operation in Venezuela on January 3. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country to face drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges in the US.

The operation included coordinated airstrikes in Caracas and naval deployments along the Venezuelan coast. Trump later described it as a “flawless” mission and said there were no American casualties.

The raid began in the early morning hours as U.S. forces struck key military infrastructure around the Venezuelan capital to disable air defenses. Special operations troops then moved in on Maduro’s compound, capturing him and his wife, Cilia Flores, before flying them out of the country to face charges in New York , where they remain detained.

The operation abruptly removed a leader who had ruled the oil-rich South American nation for more than a decade and had long been a target of U.S. sanctions and criminal indictments tied to alleged narcotics trafficking. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was later sworn in as acting president following Maduro’s capture.

Less than two months later, another Saturday operation sent shock waves across the Middle East .

On February 28, U.S. forces launched “Operation Epic Fury,” a sweeping air and missile campaign targeting Iran’s military infrastructure and leadership. It followed what “preemptive” strikes launched by Israel . 

The strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s most powerful political and religious figure, who had led the country since 1989.

The attack hit hundreds of targets, including missile facilities and command centers, and triggered retaliatory strikes by Iran against U.S. and allied positions across the region.

Khamenei’s death has plunged Iran into its most severe leadership crisis since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with an interim council now overseeing the country while authorities determine a successor.

Together, the two operations underscore a striking pattern in the early months of Trump’s presidency: the direct use of U.S. military power to remove foreign leaders from power.

It also marks a stark contrast with Trump’s pledge to be a “president of peace,” a theme he emphasized during his 2024 campaign by repeatedly claiming he would end “un-endable wars.”

In his victory speech that year, Trump said: “I’m not going to start wars. I’m going to stop wars.”

Trump has since framed his approach as pursuing “peace through strength.”

Yet within eight weeks — and on two separate Saturdays — Washington helped bring down two governments thousands of miles apart, from Caracas to Tehran.

Maduro Guerra, a lawmaker with Venezuela’s ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV), relayed a message of solidarity from his father, saying Maduro had expressed gratitude and urged authorities to focus on supporting the families of those killed and injured in the operation. The newly established Committee to Assist Family Members of the Victims is intended to provide legal and practical support, bringing together military, civil justice bodies and victims’ organisations.

Addressing the families, Maduro Guerra vowed the state would pursue accountability and protection for those affected. Meanwhile, accusations and political tensions over the US military intervention, part of “Operation Absolute Resolve”, continue to reverberate across Venezuela and internationally, as interim authorities navigate the complex aftermath of Maduro’s capture and detention in the United States.

Sanchez said that following “the events of the last month, Venezuela is peacefully moving forward, and ready to receive investment, and trying to compete in the market, in the international market, like every other player.” He also referred to recent economic activity and projected growth, noting that even with past restrictions, the government aims for rapid economic expansion.

On Venezuela’s role in oil production, Sanchez stated: “We would like to be… We know that the reference for Venezuela is that the country with the biggest oil reserve. And we want to stop being known about this, and we want to be known as one of the countries with the highest production levels.” He added that the government intends to use oil revenues to diversify the economy .

The comments come amid significant political developments in Venezuela. A recent U.S. military action resulted in the arrest and removal of former President Nicolás Maduro, and Delcy Rodríguez has been designated interim president. The transition has drawn international attention and debate over the future leadership and governance of Venezuela.

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez met US Chargé d’Affaires Laura Dogu at the Miraflores Presidential Palace on the afternoon of  Monday, February 2, in what Communications Minister Miguel Pérez Pirela described as part of a “working agenda” between Caracas and Washington. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez also attended. Dogu confirmed the meeting on social media, saying she reiterated US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s proposed “three-phase plan” for Venezuela: “stabilisation, economic recovery and reconciliation, and transition.” Dogu arrived in Caracas on Saturday, January 31, pledging her team was “ready to work,” as US officials continue assessing conditions for reopening the US embassy. Foreign Minister Yván Gil said Venezuela seeks cooperation on “issues of bilateral interest,” and announced that Félix Plasencia will serve as Venezuela’s diplomatic representative in the United States and will travel to Washington soon.

US issues OFAC license delaying Citgo debt actions

The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a new license on Monday, February 2, allowing holders of Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) bonds maturing in 2020 to conduct certain transactions beginning March 20, while keeping the Citgo auction blocked. The measure effectively delays creditors from invoking US courts to collect debts against Citgo Petroleum Corporation. The Venezuelan government has condemned the process authorising the auction as “fraudulent,” arguing the country was excluded from legal proceedings and denied the right to defend itself. Caracas has also warned that the “illegal sale” of its main foreign asset is in its “final phase,” and maintains the US judicial process violates international law.

Delcy Rodríguez proposes mass amnesty and justice reforms

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced on Friday, January 30, a proposal for a broad amnesty law covering “the entire period of political violence from 1999 to the present.” Speaking at the Venezuelan supreme court before top officials, Rodríguez said the measure aims to “heal the wounds left by political confrontation, fuelled by violence and extremism,” while also launching a “major national consultation for a new judicial system.” She further announced plans to close El Helicoide prison in Caracas—long criticised by rights groups—and convert the facility into a sports, cultural, and commercial centre for police families and surrounding communities.

Brazilian labour leader warns US aims to dominate Venezuelan oil

A senior Brazilian labour leader accused Washington of targeting Venezuela’s energy sector to gain control over its oil resources, warning that US actions mirror strategies used to reshape Brazil’s own industry. Deyvid Bacelar, general coordinator of Brazil’s Unified Federation of Oil Workers (FUP), told Xinhua that US pressure “has nothing to do with defending democracy or combating drug trafficking,” but instead seeks “imperial domination and the appropriation of natural wealth.” He argued weakening PDVSA would open the door for US firms, and compared the situation to Brazil’s Operation Car Wash (Lava Jato), which he claimed facilitated foreign access to Petrobras-linked deep-water reserves.

Chinese refiners shift to Iranian crude as Venezuelan shipments stall

Chinese independent refiners are reportedly purchasing discounted Iranian heavy crude to replace Venezuelan shipments that have slowed sharply after the US claimed control of Venezuela’s oil sales last month. Sources said the drawdown of Iranian oil stored in China and on ships is helping cover the drop in Venezuelan supply. Venezuelan shipments to China reportedly fell significantly after mid-December following a US blockade on sanctioned vessels, amid a broader campaign that culminated in Nicolás Maduro’s capture by US forces on January 3. Washington has reportedly assigned trading firms Vitol and Trafigura to market Venezuelan crude, but China’s “teapot” refiners in Shandong have prioritised heavily discounted sanctioned grades over Venezuelan cargoes and other alternatives.

Rodríguez accused Machado of supporting foreign military action against Venezuela, saying it was unacceptable for a Venezuelan to express gratitude for the bombing that caused suffering to the population . She said the Venezuelan people reject any form of aggression that brings anguish to families, particularly to children and young people.

During her visit to the La Soublette sector, one of the areas impacted by the operation aimed at capturing President Nicolás Maduro, Rodríguez led an aid initiative to support around 5,500 families. The assistance included medical care, infrastructure repairs and veterinary services .

The Return to Homeland Plan was initially established by Venezuelan authorities as a mechanism to assist citizens abroad, particularly those facing legal or humanitarian challenges, to return and reintegrate. The programme has seen multiple flights in recent years, with thousands of Venezuelans voluntarily or involuntarily returned home as part of state-facilitated repatriation efforts. Venezuelan officials frame the plan as a dignified response to the hardships many nationals have endured overseas, while coordinating with foreign counterparts on deportation logistics.

Internationally, the resumption of these flights reflects broader trends in migration policy and bilateral negotiations. The U.S. has increased deportations of Venezuelan migrants amid shifts in immigration enforcement, while Venezuela’s acceptance of returnees operates within its own political and social strategy for addressing the Venezuelan diaspora. As these movements continue, the Return to Homeland Plan remains a focal point for debate over human rights , migration governance and the responsibilities of sending and receiving states.

According to a Washington Post report , Parolin had begun probing US intentions as early as Christmas Eve, asking the American ambassador to the Holy See whether Washington was targeting drug traffickers or pursuing outright regime change.

What Parolin was ultimately pushing for, the report said, was time. 

He urged US officials to exercise patience and allow Maduro to step aside peacefully, potentially accepting asylum in Russia. Moscow, Parolin suggested, was prepared to guarantee the Venezuelan leader’s security if an exit could be arranged.

Those efforts failed. Just over a week later, US Special Operations forces swooped into Maduro’s residence in Caracas and captured him and his wife — an operation that left about 75 people dead. 

This week, Parolin and the Holy See Press Office confirmed the outlines of the Post report. 

Without elaborating on his conversations with US officials or the source of Russia’s alleged offer, Parolin said Venezuela had been plunged into a “situation of great uncertainty.” 

“We had tried precisely — as, among other things, has appeared in some newspapers — to find a solution that would avoid any bloodshed, trying perhaps to reach an agreement even with Maduro and with other figures in the regime, but this was not possible,” he said.

Pope ‘deeply concerned’

Pope Leo XIV himself has voiced unease. 

A day after the January 3 operation, Pope Leo XIV used his Angelus address to express “deep concern” for Venezuela, stressing respect for human rights and national sovereignty. 

“The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration,” he said, calling for paths of “justice and peace."

His remarks took on added weight after Donald Trump suggested that US control over Venezuela — and its vast oil reserves — could last “years.”

Not the first time

The Vatican’s intervention was not unprecedented. 

Formally represented in global affairs by the Holy See, the Catholic Church occupies an unusual diplomatic space: the world’s smallest state, with no army and fewer than 1,000 residents, yet led by a pontiff with moral authority over some 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. 

For centuries, popes have acted as mediators and moral brokers, relying on soft power.

From Cold War diplomacy to conflict mediation in Latin America, the Vatican has repeatedly sought to insert restraint where power politics threaten bloodshed. 

Its failed bid to secure an exile for Maduro proves just that. 

The statement comes in the wake of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s visit to the White House on 15 January 2026, during which she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump as a symbolic “gesture of gratitude” for his support in Venezuela’s political transition. While Trump accepted the framed medal and publicly thanked Machado, officials from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the body that selects Peace Prize laureates, emphasised that the title and recognition of the award remain with Machado and cannot be legally reassigned.

Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her long-standing advocacy for democracy and human rights in Venezuela’s struggle against authoritarian rule, described the presentation of the medal as a sign of respect and shared commitment to freedom. Trump praised the gesture on social media and displayed the framed medal in the White House. However, the Nobel institutions clarified that while a physical medal may change hands, the official status and merit of the Nobel Prize do not transfer with it.

The incident has sparked debate within Norway and internationally, with critics arguing that such public displays risk politicising one of the world ’s most respected honours. Some Norwegian politicians labelled the act “absurd” and warned it could undermine the prestige of the prize, insisting the award’s meaning derives from a strict process and enduring principles established by Alfred Nobel.

By reaffirming that Nobel Prizes cannot be revoked or shared after they are awarded, the Nobel Foundation aims to uphold both the legal framework of Nobel honours and their symbolic value in global peace and scientific advancement. The recent controversy highlights the tension between political symbolism and the institutional safeguards designed to protect the Nobel legacy.

According to data compiled from Kpler, The National News, Investopedia, and CBC, Venezuela’s crude oil production fell from around 2.7 million barrels per day in 2015 to a low of roughly 569,000 barrels per day in 2020.

This collapse was driven by years of underinvestment, mismanagement at state oil company PDVSA, the loss of skilled labour, and increasingly strict US sanctions. Investopedia notes that sanctions restricted exports, access to finance, and the import of diluents needed to process Venezuela’s heavy crude.

From 2021, production began to edge upwards. Output rose to around 636,000 barrels per day in 2021 and 716,000 in 2022, signalling the end of the industry’s free fall.

The rebound continued in 2023, with production nearing 783,000 barrels per day, before climbing further to roughly 921,000 barrels per day in 2024. Kpler tracking shows improved operational stability and higher export volumes, particularly to Asia and the United States.

A key factor behind the recovery has been limited sanctions relief. US licences allowing companies such as Chevron to operate in Venezuela have helped stabilise fields and boost exports altough the company is seeking an expanded operating licence in Venezuela now.

Even so, Venezuela’s output remains less than half of what it was a decade ago. Infrastructure decay and lack of investment continue to cap growth, despite the country holding the world ’s largest proven oil reserves.

Venezuela is projected to boost oil production toward roughly 1.2 million barrels per day by 2026 if US sanctions are significantly eased, but that projection now sits against a backdrop of heightened US involvement following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and escalating oversight of Venezuela’s oil exports and industry.

In the week since Maduro’s arrest during a US operation, Washington has asserted influence over the country’s crude sector, including seizing sanctioned tankers and controlling oil sales and revenues, part of a broader effort to reshape Caracas’s governance and energy policy while maintaining sanctions until conditions such as democratic reforms are met.

A tanker carrying 85,000 barrels of Mexican crude oil arrived in Havana, continuing ongoing exports to Cuba amid Venezuela’s deepening energy crisis and shifting regional dynamics. The government confirmed the shipments are part of sustained contracts or humanitarian aid, and that Mexico has become a significant supplier to Cuba as Venezuelan output declines. Data shows Mexico exported an average of over 12,000 bpd to Cuba in 2025, surpassing Venezuela’s deliveries, although President Claudia Sheinbaum insists levels remain within historical norms. Critics, including opposition figures, argue the exports lack transparency and represent a financial contribution to Cuba’s government without clear public accounting. The move occurs against rising geopolitical tension with the United States over Cuba and Venezuela policy.

Sheinbaum orders foreign affairs talks after Trump’s cartel claims

President Claudia Sheinbaum instructed Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss security cooperation after US President Donald Trump announced plans to “start attacking the cartels on the ground.” Sheinbaum said the talks aim to “strengthen communication” and share information on seized drug laboratories and coordinated efforts. She also spoke to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to reaffirm a shared understanding of security issues, describing Trump’s rhetoric as part of his communication style. The diplomatic move reflects efforts to balance cooperation with the US and Mexico’s sovereignty amid heightened cross-border security concerns.

Experts warn of potential terrorism risk ahead of 2026 World Cup

Security specialists have flagged a potential terrorism risk in Mexico during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, noting that the heightened global profile of the event could attract threats. At a security panel, they urged stronger coordination among Mexico, the United States and Canada to improve screening and border security, and highlighted vulnerabilities such as gaps in shared traveller-vetting systems. Former Mexican ambassador Arturo Sarukhán emphasised the need for integrated security strategies to prevent incidents tied to organised crime or extremist actors during the tournament. The warning reflects broader concerns about public safety and international cooperation in the run-up to one of the world’s largest sporting events.

Government ups its bet on voluntary disarmament to curb violence

Mexico’s federal government is increasing cash incentives for the voluntary surrender of firearms under its “Sí al Desarme, Sí a la Paz” programme, part of a broader strategy to reduce violence and illegal gun circulation. The new scale of payments offers higher amounts for surrendering machine guns, military-grade rifles and other weapons compared with last year, alongside protections for participants’ anonymity. The initiative, coordinated by the Secretariat of the Interior and backed by the army for the secure destruction of collected arms, is intended to tackle structural causes of violent crime by removing firearms from circulation. Officials say the programme boosts community safety while encouraging peaceful engagement.

National forest policy updated with new zoning framework

The government published a national forest zoning agreement under the General Law of Sustainable Forest Development, creating a unified, technical framework to manage Mexico’s forests. The zoning categorises forested areas by natural vocation, from conservation and restoration to sustainable production zones, using geospatial data and ecological inventories to guide planning and protect biodiversity. Authorities say the policy aims to improve coordination across government levels, promote conservation and support sustainable resource use while safeguarding soil, water and ecosystem services . The move responds to long-standing calls for more strategic, science-based forest governance and environmental planning.

That massive number places it above Saudi Arabia, Iran and Canada, a fact that once made the country one of the most influential players in the global oil market.

The bulk of these reserves lies in the Orinoco Oil Belt, a vast region of heavy and extra-heavy crude that dwarfs conventional deposits in both scale and potential.

Yet, despite having the largest reserves, it produces only a small fraction of the global supply of roughly 1 million barrels per day, less than a third of its output two decades ago.

Reserves on paper do not automatically mean oil reaches the market. Much of Venezuela’s crude is heavy and difficult to extract and refine. Producing it requires advanced technology, large-scale investment and reliable infrastructure. Years of economic crisis, political instability and international sanctions have weakened all three.

The world’s energy markets are paying close attention for a few reasons:

1. Strategic energy stocks and shifting geopolitics

Recent events, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, have intensified global focus on who controls Venezuela’s oil. The United States has signalled plans to invite American and international companies back into the nation’s energy sector to unlock its resource potential.

2. Global supply implications

If Venezuela could boost production, it would reshape oil flows and regional influence. Heavy crude from the Orinoco Belt is particularly valuable because many refineries, especially on the U.S. Gulf Coast, are structured to process dense oil grades.

3. Investment and infrastructure challenges

Rebuilding Venezuela’s oil industry won’t happen overnight . Experts estimate tens of billions of dollars would be needed to modernise ageing facilities, address underinvestment and restore capacity lost to years of neglect and sanctions.

4. Geopolitical flashpoints

Venezuela’s oil isn’t just an economic asset. It’s a geopolitical lever. China, Russia and other states hold financial and energy ties with Caracas, and shifts in Venezuelan production can ripple into diplomatic and strategic relationships.

After all these areas of scrutiny and worry, the question remains: Who controls Venezuela's oil now?

Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has warned that growing US willingness to act unilaterally, including recent military action in Venezuela, poses serious risks to global and regional stability. Speaking at an academic forum, Lee said such interventions lack proper international authorisation and could undermine the rules-based order, a particular concern for small states like Singapore. He cautioned that while major powers may see short-term gains, war carries unpredictable consequences, urged restraint in US-China rivalry, and reiterated Singapore’s support for the one-China policy and opposition to any unilateral change to the Taiwan Strait status quo.

Singapore leads the world in AI adoption as firms chase growth

Amid global AI competition, Singapore businesses are experiencing significant “AI FOMO ,” driving strong adoption as companies pursue growth and digital transformation. Local firms are investing in generative AI tools to enhance everything from customer engagement to operational efficiency, even as challenges with data quality and integration slow progress. Singapore’s government has also backed AI through strategic initiatives to strengthen workforce skills, infrastructure and responsible governance, positioning the city-state as a hub for both innovation and enterprise-level AI deployment.

Singapore commissions its first electric tug ahead of 2026 deployment

In a milestone for green maritime technology, Singapore has completed commissioning of its first fully electric tug , a zero-emission vessel set to begin operations in April 2026. Built in collaboration with PaxOcean Group and ABB, the electric tug supports the Maritime and Port Authority’s goal of electrifying new harbour craft by 2030 and reducing air pollution as Singapore transitions to cleaner shipping solutions. This move underlines the city-state’s push toward sustainable port operations and decarbonisation of its maritime sector.

Nestlé baby formula recall spreads amid toxin fears

Singapore has ordered an immediate halt to the sale of five batches of Nestlé NAN infant and follow-on formula as a precaution over the possible presence of cereulide toxin. The affected products are NAN HA 3 SupremePro (batch 53030017C1), NAN HA 2 SupremePro (batch 51420017C4), NAN HA 1 SupremePro (batch 51460017C2), NAN HA 1 SupremePro (batch 51470017C1), and NAN HA 3 SupremePro (batch 53030017B1). Authorities said there have been no confirmed illnesses so far, and investigations are ongoing.

Climate patterns: 2025 sees record temperatures and heavy rainfall in Singapore

Singapore experienced significant climate anomalies in 2025, with the warmest June on record and unusually heavy rainfall in March, according to Channel NewsAsia reporting. These extremes align with broader regional trends of increasing temperature variability and heavier precipitation linked to climate change. Meteorologists warn that such patterns could have implications for water management, urban planning and heat resilience strategies in tropical cities like Singapore.

Instead, it exposed deep divisions in international opinion about the legitimacy of Venezuelan democracy and set the stage for dramatically different reactions when Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in early 2026.

Maduro’s government presented the official result, 52 per cent of the vote, as a democratic reaffirmation of his leadership. Many governments, particularly those allied with Caracas, publicly backed that interpretation.

According to a detailed report by the Americas Society / Council of the Americas (AS/COA), only a relatively small group of states issued formal congratulations or recognition following the election. Bolivia’s then President Luis Arce, Cuba under President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Honduras, Nicaragua and several other governments in Africa, Asia and the Middle East backed the official result.

China, Russia, Iran, Syria, Serbia and several Caribbean leaders aligned with Venezuela’s longstanding regional partner group, ALBA-TCP, also signalled support. These governments framed their statements around respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and the expressed will of its people.

Outside that circle, many other countries expressed serious doubts about the integrity of the vote. Nations across the Americas, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Uruguay, issued joint statements demanding full transparency and independent verification of results.

In plain terms, the 2024 election divided the world into three broad camps: Maduro’s supporters, sceptics who demanded more transparency, and outright rejectors of the result.

Those divisions became even clearer in January 2026, when the Trump administration authorised a military operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture and extradition to the United States on federal drug-trafficking charges.

The United States and several allied governments welcomed the operation. Leaders in Latin America who had expressed doubt or rejection of the 2024 vote, such as Argentina’s President Javier Milei and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, publicly supported the move as a step toward accountability and regional security.

Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa and Paraguay’s Santiago Peña echoed that sentiment, framing the capture as progress toward restoring democratic norms. Guyana’s government also welcomed the action, seeing it as aligned with broader regional stability goals. European allies such as Italy and Israel publicly backed the operation in statements carried by international media.

On the other side, governments that had backed Maduro’s 2024 victory or had consistently emphasised non-interference condemned the U.S. action as a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.

China, which had congratulated Maduro shortly after the 2024 result and maintained close economic and diplomatic ties with Caracas, issued strong diplomatic protests, calling for Maduro’s release and an end to efforts to overthrow the Venezuelan government.

Russia’s government framed its response in terms of defending sovereign rights and warned against what it described as neocolonial threats. Iran and Cuba also condemned the capture.

There are, however, exceptions. The European Union, for example, did not recognise the 2024 election but also declined to endorse the capture, instead stressing international law and restraint.

Across the global diplomatic community, the broader debate has shifted from whether Maduro should lead Venezuela to what legitimacy, sovereignty and international intervention mean in this era.

In a notable policy change effective 1 January 2026, China removed a three-decade VAT exemption on contraceptive drugs and devices, including condoms and birth control pills, imposing a standard 13% tax in a bid to address its persistent population decline. The move, part of broader measures to boost birth rates, follows years of falling fertility and reinforces Beijing’s prioritisation of family support policies alongside earlier childcare subsidies and pro-marriage initiatives. Officials hope that framing childbearing as socially and economically supported will stabilise demographics in the world’s most populous economy.

China accuses the US of ‘blatant interference’ after Trump claims Venezuela oil

China’s Foreign Ministry criticised the United States on Wednesday, accusing Washington of “blatant interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs” after President Donald Trump announced that up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil would be transferred to the United States for sale, a move Beijing says violates Venezuela’s sovereign rights over its natural resources. China insists Caracas has “full permanent sovereignty” over its oil and called the US actions a breach of international norms, amid broader tensions over control of Venezuelan energy exports. The dispute comes as the US has also seized Venezuela-linked tankers and eased sanctions to redirect crude flows, triggering diplomatic pushback from Beijing and other global partners.

China bans some exports to Japan after PM’s Taiwan remarks

China has imposed immediate restrictions on exports of certain rare earths and other dual-use items to Japan, escalating tensions after the Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would threaten Japan’s survival. Beijing said the curbs cover goods with both civilian and military uses, including materials critical to electronics, aerospace and defence, though it did not specify individual products. The move could have significant consequences for Japan, which sourced around 63% of its rare earth imports from China in 2024.

Cambodia extradites alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi to China

Cambodia has arrested and extradited to China tycoon Chen Zhi, accused of leading a major online scam network and wanted by US authorities on related charges. The Cambodian government said Chen, whose citizenship was revoked last month, was handed over at China’s request after a months-long investigation. US and UK officials have accused him of running a transnational fraud operation that scammed victims worldwide and exploited trafficked workers, part of a regional surge in online scam centres across Southeast Asia.

China sanctions two more Taiwanese cabinet ministers

Beijing has sanctioned Taiwan’s Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang and Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao, adding them to its list of what it calls “stubborn Taiwan independence figures” for actions it says promote separatism. The measures bar the two ministers and their families from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, and ban companies linked to them from operating in the mainland.

New trade estimates show Venezuela exporting roughly 772,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil to global buyers, with China and the US taking the lion’s share, a striking development amid intensifying military and diplomatic pressure.

China imported approximately 351,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Venezuelan oil in 2024, making it the largest buyer by far. The United States imported roughly 222,000 bpd, with Europe (75,000 bpd) and India (63,000 bpd) also on the list, alongside smaller volumes to Cuba and other destinations.

The United States ranking second may appear counterintuitive, given Washington’s sanctions on Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA. However, US imports increased after the Biden administration granted licences allowing companies such as Chevron to resume limited operations and exports.

Reuters has reported that Venezuelan crude is particularly well-suited to US Gulf Coast refineries, many of which are configured to process heavy oil. As a result, shipments to the US rose sharply in 2023 and 2024 following the partial relaxation of restrictions.

But the backdrop to these trade figures has changed dramatically. In early January 2026, the United States launched large-scale military strikes on Venezuelan territory, including air operations around Caracas, and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a controversial operation conducted by U.S. forces.

The offensive , dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, involved bombing key military sites, and Maduro and his wife were taken to the United States to face drug-related criminal charges. Venezuela and multiple international actors have condemned the action as a violation of sovereignty and international law.

In late 2025, the U.S. sanctioned four Venezuelan oil companies and four tankers accused of supporting the Maduro regime, moves designed to choke off revenue from the country’s main economic lifeline. U.S. authorities also seized sanctioned tankers at sea and conducted drone strikes at dock facilities linked with cartel activities, part of a campaign described by Washington as aimed at narcotics and terror networks.

The United States military said it carried out a series of airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Somalia between January 1 and 3, in coordination with the Somali federal government. According to US Africa Command (AFRICOM), the strikes hit ISIS positions near the Calmiskaad Mountains, about 70 kilometres southeast of Bosaso in the northeastern Bari region. US officials said the operation inflicted significant losses on the militant group. Since President Donald Trump took office in 2025, the United States has conducted more than 100 airstrikes in Somalia, mainly targeting ISIS and Al-Shabaab. AFRICOM said it would continue joint operations with Somalia as the country intensifies its own campaign against Al-Shabaab in southern and central regions, with support from international partners.

Somalia and African partners call for restraint on Venezuela at UN Security Council

Somalia, together with Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have called for restraint, dialogue and respect for international law during a UN Security Council session on the political situation in Venezuela. Speaking on behalf of the three African countries, known as the A3, Somalia underscored the need to uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity as outlined in the UN Charter. Somalia is presiding over the council for the month, while the three countries serve as Africa’s representatives on the 15-member body. The A3 warned that escalating tensions could destabilise the wider region and expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, reaffirming the African Union’s position in favour of peace and stability.

US confirms links between Somali UN envoy and healthcare firm

The United States government has confirmed that Somalia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Abukar Osman, is associated with a healthcare company previously implicated in Medicaid fraud. In a statement on X, US Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill said Ambassador Osman is linked to Progressive Health Care Services, a home health agency in Cincinnati, against which US authorities had taken action following a Medicaid fraud conviction. The confirmation followed online speculation about the ambassador’s business interests in the United States, which gained attention after he confronted Israel’s deputy representative at the UN Security Council last month over Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.

Israel’s Somaliland visit sparks regional backlash

Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, arrived in Somaliland on Tuesday following Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region, prompting strong condemnation from Somalia. Saar described the recognition as “the moral thing to do”, while Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdullahi Mohamed said it would open economic and development opportunities. Somalia’s foreign ministry called the visit an “illegal and unauthorised incursion” and said it reserves the right to take diplomatic and legal measures to protect its sovereignty. The African Union Peace and Security Council, the Arab League and several regional blocs condemned Israel’s move, warning it could destabilise the Horn of Africa. Islamist group Al-Shabaab said it would oppose any Israeli presence in Somaliland.

Ethiopia reaffirms commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty

Ethiopia’s government has reiterated its commitment to respecting Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying its position is guided by international law and principles of good neighbourliness. In a statement on Ethiopia–Somalia relations, Addis Ababa said the two countries share deep historical, cultural and social ties that require cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia rejected claims that its engagements with other parties undermine Somalia and called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve misunderstandings. The government said it remains ready to work with Somalia on security, trade, economic development and regional integration, stressing that a stable Somalia is in the best interest of the region and the continent.

Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign as president and earlier as mayor of Davao City.

The messages were amplified by Greco Belgica, a former head of the country’s anti-corruption commission under Duterte.

“We ask for your help in bringing home the former President arrested and detained by the ICC. Our goal is for both the current and former leaders to face justice in our own Philippine courts,” read the message.

Supporters have sought to draw parallels between the Philippines and Venezuela following the US operation in Caracas. 

Washington has accused Maduro of leading the so-called Cartel of the Suns, an alleged drug-trafficking network involving senior Venezuelan officials, and of overseeing cocaine shipments into the United States . He faces charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy.

Duterte, by contrast, built his political identity on a brutal crackdown on drugs, repeatedly vowing to have users and dealers killed. His successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has said his administration is pursuing a “bloodless” anti-drug campaign, although official figures show deaths linked to drug operations remain. 

One widely shared message addressed to Trump framed the Philippines’ problems as mirroring Venezuela’s. 

The widely shared message addressed to Trump framed the Philippines’ problems as mirroring Venezuela’s. 

“Our country, the Philippines, is facing a massive struggle with drugs, government corruption, and the protection of our oil and trade territories in the West Philippine Sea—very similar to your issues in Venezuela,” it said.

The stated aim of the appeal was to have Duterte tried domestically rather than at the ICC. 

“We want to restore the rule of law within our own borders,” the message read.

In the wake of the U.S. operation to seize Maduro, parts of Venezuela lost power. Starlink coverage will allow Venezuelans to contact loved ones, even if future conflict causes more outages. It will also allow citizens to bypass government blackouts, as it has in places like Iran , where Starlink use is criminalised.

Starlink isn't currently available in Venezuela — the company has previously listed connectivity in Venezuela as 'coming soon'—and blanket coverage is useless if users don't have the hardware needed.

As Starlink moves to rapidly roll out its coverage across the country, some worry that Starlink's adoption in Venezuela will give the US and Musk too much power, allowing them to spy on Venezuelan citizens or cut their internet off on a whim.

On Friday, January 2, a day before the U.S. operation in Venezuela, Chinese diplomats told the UN at a Security Council event that the rapid expansion of Musk's Starlink network poses "pronounced safety and security" concerns globally.

“With the rapid expansion of commercial space activities, the unchecked proliferation of commercial satellite constellations by a certain country, in the absence of effective regulation, has given rise to pronounced safety and security challenges,” a Beijing representative said, calling on the UN to better enforce regulations. 

The UN Security Council is meeting today (January 6th) to discuss the legality of the U.S. operation to seize President Maduro. It is currently unclear whether Starlink's offer of free broadband will also be a topic of discussion.

The debate followed the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores by US forces after strikes on Caracas and other areas, with Washington stating the operation was linked to narcoterrorism charges. Venezuelan authorities declared a national emergency, accusing the United States of attempting to seize strategic resources, particularly oil and minerals .

At the Security Council, the US rejected accusations of military aggression, describing the operation as a limited law enforcement action rather than an act of war. That explanation was challenged by several delegations, including Russia, China and Colombia . Russia’s UN ambassador said there was no justification for US actions in Venezuela, while China said it was “deeply shocked” by what it called bullying behaviour. The African A3 group also expressed serious concerns.

The operation has drawn condemnation beyond the UN chamber, with criticism from governments across Latin America, BRICS countries and other regions. European Union members and several European states called for respect for international law, though most avoided directly condemning the United States, highlighting divisions in the international response.

On 3 January 2026, U.S. forces launched what the White House dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, an air and special forces mission in Venezuela that resulted in the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro from power.

The South American leader has since been flown to the United States to face federal charges related to alleged narco-terrorism and weapons offences. He is set to appear in a Manhattan court on Monday, January 5.

This marks the most forceful direct intervention by the United States in the region since the late 20th century, and it has triggered immediate global reaction.

Leaders across Latin America , Europe and beyond have condemned the operation as a violation of international law and a threat to regional sovereignty, while some U.S. lawmakers argue the White House bypassed Congress in authorising the action.

Since World War II, the U.S. has intervened in multiple South American countries. Venezuela now stands alongside Peru (1963, 1990), Bolivia (1971, 2019), Chile (1964, 1973), Paraguay (1954, 1989), Argentina (1976), Uruguay (1973), and Brazil (1964) in episodes where U.S. military pressure, support or direct action shaped national politics.

Those earlier episodes include Cold War-era coups and covert operations, often linked with U.S. fears of Soviet influence and domestic leftist movements.

One notorious example was Operation Condor, a coordinated campaign in the 1970s by several South American dictatorships (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil), which received tacit U.S. backing and targeted dissidents across borders.

The Trump administration has framed its 2026 intervention as part of a broader campaign against drug trafficking and threats to U.S. security, building on months of strikes against drug smuggling infrastructure and naval blockades.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. Trump referenced what he called the "Donroe Doctrine," a play on the historic Monroe Doctrine, which dates back to 1823 and warned European nations not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere.

Although he described Delcy Rodriguez as cooperating, he warned she could face a “worse situation” than the ousted leader, Nicolas Maduro, if she did not continue to do so.

He also made critical remarks about other Latin American countries. Maduro is expected to face charges today in the US

Maduro was removed from power and flown out of the country to face drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges led by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The U.S. government said Maduro was the head of a transnational criminal enterprise.

“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” Trump said. “We can't take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela.”

In the hours that followed, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. Much of the existing government structure remained in place.

Years of pressure on Venezuela

The operation did not come out of nowhere. It marked a major moment in a long U.S. effort to shape Venezuela’s political future.

In 2019, the Trump administration backed opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president and imposed heavy economic sanctions as part of what it called a “maximum pressure” strategy.

By late 2025, reports said the CIA had been authorised to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela, pointing to a sharper push to remove Maduro. The U.S. has also been linked to the failed 2002 coup against then-President Hugo Chávez, though Washington has disputed the extent of its involvement.

Venezuela’s oil wealth has remained a key issue. The country holds an estimated 17% of global oil reserves. Trump has said U.S. companies would play a central role in rebuilding the energy sector.

“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies… go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure… and start making money for the country,” he said.

A familiar pattern

Maduro’s removal places Venezuela among many countries where the U.S. has pursued regime change.

Since 1947, the United States has been involved in about 100 regime-change operations, according to estimates by scholar Jeffrey Sachs. These efforts have ranged from open military action to covert political and economic interference, often targeting governments seen as hostile to U.S. interests.

Early interventions before the Cold War

U.S. involvement in regime change began long before modern geopolitics.

In 1893, American-backed groups overthrew Queen Liliʻuokalani in Hawaii, a move that later led to U.S. annexation. From 1912 to 1933, U.S. forces occupied Nicaragua and took control of key parts of the government and economy .

During the “Banana Wars” between 1903 and 1925, Honduras experienced repeated U.S. military interventions that helped install or protect governments friendly to American business interests.

World War II and occupation politics

During World War II, U.S. forces played a direct role in defeating fascist governments in Germany, Italy, and Japan.

After the war, American-led occupations reshaped political systems in South Korea from 1945 to 1948 and in Austria from 1945 to 1955.

Cold War coups and covert actions

The Cold War era saw a sharp rise in secret operations.

In Iran in 1953, Operation Ajax removed Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh and restored the Shah. A year later in Guatemala, the CIA’s Operation PBSuccess overthrew elected President Jacobo Árbenz.

In 1963, the U.S. supported a coup against South Vietnam’s President Ngo Dinh Diem, who was later assassinated. In Chile, U.S.-backed economic pressure helped set the stage for the 1973 coup that removed President Salvador Allende and brought Augusto Pinochet to power.

In 1989, the U.S. invaded Panama under Operation Just Cause and removed President Manuel Noriega.

Post-9/11 

After the 11 September attacks, U.S. military action took on new urgency.

In 2001, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan to dismantle Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban. Two years later, it led a coalition into Iraq, overthrowing Saddam Hussein over claims of weapons of mass destruction.

In 2004, the U.S. played a direct role in the departure of Haiti’s President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who later said he was forced out. In Libya in 2011, U.S. and NATO airpower backed rebels who overthrew and killed Muammar Gaddafi.

That same year in Egypt, the U.S. withdrew support for President Hosni Mubarak during mass protests and encouraged a political transition.

“Donald Trump has ushered in a new world order where the military might prevail over rule of law and respect for an independent country’s sovereignty,” he said, arguing that the seizure of a foreign leader by force placed the US in the same category as the powers it routinely condemns.

Julian Borger, a senior international correspondent at The Guardian, described the strikes and abduction as a devastating blow to global norms. 

“The overnight strikes on Venezuela, the abduction of its leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, and Donald Trump’s declaration that the US would ‘run’ the country and sell its oil, have driven another truck through international law and global norms,” he wrote .

For Mogato, the implications extend far beyond Venezuela, and complicates Washington’s stance in criticising Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine or Beijing’s potential use of force against Taiwan. 

“Washington has lost its moral ascendancy after launching military operations in Caracas and grabbed its leader, Nicolas Maduro,” he said.

What’s the real purpose?

Hours after Maduro’s removal, the US president said his administration was ready to fix Venezuela’s oil industry and sell its output. 

Borger said Trump had made clear he was “more covetous of Venezuela’s oil than motivated by a desire to bring Maduro before a court, or deliver democracy.”

He cited US analyst David Rothkopf, who labelled the shift the “Putinization of US foreign policy ”, noting that Moscow has long argued that great powers are entitled to dominate their neighbourhoods by force.

Despite just days after the operation, Mogato said the consequences were already visible. 

“The world has become more dangerous and chaotic in 2026,” he said, describing a landscape in which “stronger states imposed their will on smaller and weaker states.”

Borger warned that anxiety would not be confined to Latin America , pointing to Trump’s recent threats against Iran, Greenland and Cuba. Events in Venezuela, he said, would “cause immediate anxiety” among governments that now fear they could be next.

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on January 5 to discuss what Venezuela has described as U.S. military aggression following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores from the country. The meeting , requested by Venezuela and convened by Somalia, which chairs the Council in January, was called for 10:00 a.m. (GMT-5). According to Venezuela’s permanent representative to the UN, Samuel Moncada, the request followed a “large-scale attack” carried out by U.S. forces on civilian and military locations in Caracas and the states of La Guaira, Aragua and Miranda. Several countries, including China, Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Nicaragua, Brazil and Turkey, expressed solidarity with Venezuela, stating that Washington had violated the UN Charter. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking after the operation, said the United States would oversee what he described as an “appropriate transition” in Venezuela. “We are going to get our big American oil companies, the biggest in the world, to invest billions of dollars…and start generating revenue for the country,” Trump said during a press conference.

Domestic flights resume

Several Venezuelan airlines announced the resumption of domestic flights from Sunday, January 4, after a temporary suspension. State carrier Conviasa said scheduled flights would operate “according to the established itinerary.” Laser Airlines confirmed that “only domestic flights are being reactivated,” adding that passengers booked for January 3 could reschedule “without penalty.” Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela said flights planned for Saturday would instead operate on Sunday “along with the flights scheduled according to the itinerary.” Airlines urged passengers to arrive at airports at least two hours early and ensure their contact details were up to date.  

Supreme Court appoints Delcy Rodríguez acting president

Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice ordered Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the presidency on an interim basis, citing the forced absence of President Maduro. Magistrate Tania D’Amelio, president of the Constitutional Chamber, said the court acted “in view of the foreign aggression that occurred this Saturday, January 3, 2026, against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as the kidnapping of Constitutional President Nicolás Maduro Moros and First Lady Cilia Flores.” The court described the situation as “exceptional, atypical and force majeure,” adding that the decision was necessary “to guarantee the administrative continuity of the State and the defense of the nation.”  

At least 40 killed in U.S. attack

At least 40 people, including civilians and military personnel, were killed during the U.S. attack on Venezuela, according to a senior Venezuelan official quoted by The New York Times. The report said one strike hit a residential building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, killing an 80-year-old woman and leaving several families homeless. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed fatalities, saying there were deaths “among soldiers and civilians,” though the government has yet to publish an official casualty toll.

Artists react to Maduro’s capture

The capture of President Maduro sparked strong reactions among Venezuelan artists. Singer Carlos Baute posted a video on social media saying, “Venezuelans haven't slept a wink, folks. Finally, Mr. Trump said he's captured that tyrant Maduro. Congratulations, Venezuela, we're with you.” He later added , “Our Christmas present has come true.” Actress Marjorie de Sousa appealed for calm and faith, writing, “God, I ask you for my good people, cover them… long live my Venezuela. God is great, free Venezuela, one day will come.” Singer-songwriter Ricardo Montaner wrote, “Lord, watch over and bless the Venezuelan people, take away the wicked and let peace reign.” Meanwhile, singer Danny Ocean marked the moment by sharing an image of the Venezuelan flag.

According to Trump, they were flown out of Venezuela following “large-scale” strikes.

The Venezuelan government has accused the United States of launching attacks on both civilian and military sites in several states. In response to the incidents, President Maduro’s administration declared a national emergency. Officials described the situation as an act of “military aggression” by Washington and rejected the strikes.

During his first public address following the attack on Caracas, Trump stated the US will remain involved in Venezuela until what he calls a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” takes place, arguing this is necessary to protect peace , liberty, and the interests of Venezuelans at home and abroad. He also claims US oil companies would invest billions to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and revive production, which he described as having collapsed over decades.

A short video circulating online appeared to show columns of thick black smoke rising from several locations. Orange flames were still visible at the time the footage was recorded, suggesting ongoing fires at the blast sites.

Audio in the clip captured residents shouting and wailing as the loud detonations echoed through the city. Local reports also indicated temporary power disruptions in some areas following the explosions.

The incident comes against the backdrop of escalating friction between Washington and Caracas. 

Less than a week earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the CIA had carried out a drone strike on a “dock area” allegedly linked to Venezuelan drug trafficking operations. Colombian President Gustavo Petro later said the target was a cocaine-processing facility in the Venezuelan port city of Maracaibo.

The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Maduro of presiding over what it describes as a “narco-terrorist” state, claims the Venezuelan government strongly rejects.

Saturday’s blasts also follow recent remarks by Maduro signalling a willingness to engage in dialogue with Washington. “We must begin to speak seriously, with the facts in hand,” he said in an interview with the Mexican newspaper La Jornada.

These explosions occurred just hours after Maduro met Chinese envoy Qiu Xiaoqi in Caracas to review more than 600 bilateral agreements and discuss political cooperation, underscoring Venezuela’s deepening ties with Beijing at a time when both countries face increasing pressure from the United States.

What began as tactical responses to pressure increasingly took institutional form, as blocs such as BRICS+ and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) moved beyond political signalling to more structured cooperation.

US sanctions and rising non-Western alliances emerged as defining forces this year. 

US pressure

One of the year’s most visible sanctions flashpoints remained Venezuela. After limited relief in earlier years, the US reimposed tighter restrictions on Caracas’s oil sector as negotiations over political reforms stalled.

The measures complicated crude exports by targeting licensing, shipping and insurance channels, further constraining one of Venezuela’s few remaining sources of hard currency. Authorities in Caracas accused Washington of economic coercion, while Russia and China reiterated diplomatic support and criticised the use of unilateral sanctions.

Global South World tracked the standoff closely throughout the year, including an exclusive interview with Rollie Flynn, chief executive of the Arkin Group and a former CIA officer, who warned that the confrontation carried risks beyond counter-narcotics work.

With Western sanctions on Russia still in place and restrictions on Iran largely intact, 2025 underscored a wider reality: energy producers operating outside the US-led system increasingly faced fragmented trade rules, rerouted supply chains and parallel payment arrangements. 

For oil-importing developing economies, the impact was indirect but tangible, adding volatility to prices and procurement even when they were not direct targets.

BRICS+ rising

Against this backdrop, non-Western groupings sought to tighten coordination .

At the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro in July, leaders of the expanded bloc reaffirmed cooperation on development finance, trade and global governance reform. 

While the group stopped short of unveiling a common currency or alternative payment system, the summit reinforced political alignment among members that now include major energy exporters in the Middle East and Africa — significantly expanding BRICS’ economic weight and diplomatic reach.

In response, US President Donald Trump warned that countries aligning with what he described as BRICS’ “anti-American policies” could face additional tariffs, a statement that underscored how sanctions and trade pressure have become increasingly intertwined.

SCO hardening

Momentum was more institutional at the SCO summit in Tianjin in late August. The organisation adopted a Development Strategy extending to 2035 and approved new permanent centres focused on security threats, transnational crime, information security and narcotics control.

Leaders also signed the Tianjin Declaration, which explicitly opposed unilateral sanctions and protectionism — language widely interpreted as a direct response to US and European coercive measures.

Taken together, the developments highlighted a paradox of US foreign policy under Trump. While sanctions and tariffs were intended to weaken rivals, analysts say they have instead nudged competitors — and even uneasy neighbours — toward closer cooperation.

“This is a strange time when unlikely bedfellows like India and China are now overtly comfortable with each other, which was not the scene until three or four months ago,” said Dr Pooja Bhatt, director of the Jindal School of International Affairs in India, in an interview with Global South World this year .

“This shows how the U.S.’s excessive use of force — through policy and diplomacy — can push even the most unlikely countries to come together,” she said.

All things considered, the Global South does not seem to move toward a complete realignment, but rather toward steady repositioning. 

US sanctions remained powerful, particularly for countries dependent on Western finance and technology. At the same time, forums such as BRICS+ and the SCO increasingly offered diplomatic backing, coordination platforms and limited institutional alternatives.

According to their testimonies, a US federal judge ruled on December 22 that the administration of President Donald Trump unlawfully ordered their deportation and subsequent detention at CECOT after branding them as terrorists. The ruling determined that the group had been denied the opportunity to challenge the accusations through a fair legal process.

Ysqueibel Penaloza, one of the former detainees, said that a US federal judge ruled on December 22, 2025, that the administration of President Donald Trump had denied due process to 252 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador and held at the Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT). He said the decision orders that the group be granted the opportunity for a fair hearing under US law and described the ruling as a reaffirmation that no government, regardless of its origin, is above international law, due process or respect for human rights .

The former detainees alleged that they were subjected to psychological and physical abuse during their confinement at CECOT, experiences they say have left lasting effects on their mental health. Several also reported difficulties reintegrating into society following their return to Venezuela.

The group has called on both the United States and El Salvador to comply fully with the court ruling, insisting that conditions must be guaranteed for them to participate in future legal proceedings without fear or risk to their safety.

In March, 252 Venezuelans deported from the United States were imprisoned in CECOT after being accused of links to the Tren de Aragua criminal gang, although 90 per cent reportedly had no criminal record. They were repatriated to Venezuela in July as part of a trilateral agreement, and have since publicly thanked President Nicolás Maduro for the government ’s role in facilitating their return.

Trump said Colombia remained a major source of cocaine entering the United States and described Petro as hostile to US interests, issuing a blunt warning as tensions between the two governments continued to rise.

Petro had earlier argued that the United States had historically “invaded” and taken territory that should belong to Latin America . He also defended Colombia’s role in the war on drugs and warned Trump against damaging nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations, cautioning him not to “awaken the jaguar”.

The exchange comes amid broader regional friction linked to US sanctions on Venezuela, drug trafficking policy, and shifting diplomatic dynamics between Washington and Latin American governments.