President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday, during a cabinet meeting, that France "does not support or approve" of the "method" used by the United States to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and transport him to U.S. territory, according to government spokesperson Maud Bregeon. Bregeon told reporters that while Macron considers Maduro a "dictator" and views his departure as "good news for Venezuelans," he strictly opposes the tactical approach taken by Washington

Source: The New York Times A new report reveals that President Donald Trump’s administration has settled on Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s new leader, favoring her over the Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader María Corina Machado. Key Details of the Political Shift: Rejection of Exile:  Maduro rejected a U.S. offer for a "gilded exile" in Turkey late last December, mocking U.S. threats by dancing on state television. Choosing Rodríguez:  U.

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been placed in a major federal prison in New York City after arriving at Stewart Air National Guard Base on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Under heavy security and escorted by FBI and DEA agents, Maduro was transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, a facility notorious for its harsh conditions and described by some as "hell on earth." He is currently held in a high-security special cell. Legal Proceedings an

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio intensified the pressure on Caracas Sunday, stating that the Trump administration is "not ruling out the use of ground troops" in Venezuela. Speaking to CBS, Rubio emphasized that the widespread military presence in the Caribbean will persist alongside a rigorous oil embargo. He argued that Venezuela's oil revenues have been systematically looted, necessitating a complete overhaul of the sector to serve both American interests and the Venez

A groundbreaking report by The Atlantic suggests that the U.S. military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro was facilitated by significant assistance from within the Venezuelan Armed Forces. According to Pentagon advisors, the mission's success relied on "deliberate restraint" or active cooperation from key military figures in Caracas. This internal "betrayal" allowed U.S. forces to bypass Maduro's security detail and transport him to New York to face drug trafficking charges

Following the high-stakes U.S. military operation "Southern Spear" that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s Supreme Court has appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president. While Caracas labels Maduro’s detention a "kidnapping by foreign aggression," President Donald Trump revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already established a direct line with Rodriguez. Trump described her as "ready to do what is necessary," signaling a pragmatic

A federal judge in Boston has issued an emergency injunction blocking the Trump administration from terminating the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals. The decision freezes a deportation order that was set to take effect on January 5, 2026. The ruling comes after human rights organizations argued that the Department of Homeland Security's claim of "renewed peace" in South Sudan contradicts UN reports highlighting ongoing armed conflict, famine, and

The U.S. Coast Guard is currently struggling to seize the "Bella 1", a tanker linked to Venezuela, due to a shortage of specialized boarding teams, sources told Reuters. Despite chasing the vessel since Sunday, the mission requires the "Maritime Security Response Teams" (MSRT)—elite units capable of fast-roping from helicopters onto non-compliant ships. Current teams are reportedly overstretched or stationed too far away, including units aboard the USS Gerald Ford involved in

Political analyst Ramesh Ponnuru argues that both parties might be overestimating the stakes of the November 2026 midterm elections. In a recent Washington Post op-ed, Ponnuru suggests that even if Democrats flip the House, their ability to "curb" President Donald Trump remains highly limited. Trump has effectively shifted the governance center of gravity to the White House, utilizing executive orders and emergency powers to bypass the need for new legislation or congressiona

Greenland’s Premier, Múte B. Egede (referred to here as Jens-Frederik Nielsen), expressed "sadness" following President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring the strategic Arctic island. The friction intensified after Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to lead the mission, citing "national security" necessities and even hinting at military force. While Jeff Landry  attempted to soften the rhetoric by stating the U.S. does not intend to "i

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a stark demand on Monday, stating that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro "must go." Speaking to Fox News, Noem emphasized that the ongoing naval operations are a global message against Maduro’s "illegal activities." This follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to blockade sanctioned oil vessels, resulting in the seizure of two ships and the pursuit of a third. The U.S. has labeled Maduro’s administration as the "C

As tensions between Venezuela and the United States reach a boiling point, the Wall Street Journal reports that Cuban counter-intelligence units have taken full charge of President Nicolás Maduro’s security. To prevent surveillance leaks, a strict ban on smartphones and electronic devices has been imposed on Maduro’s inner circle. This heightened security coincides with aggressive maneuvers by U.S. forces under Donald Trump’s  administration, including the seizure of a third

The Nigerian government announced on Monday that the recent diplomatic friction with the United States has been "largely resolved." The standoff was ignited by President Donald Trump’s warnings of military intervention following allegations of "genocide" against Christians in West Africa’s most populous nation. Information Minister Mohammed Idris  stated that a "serious and respectful dialogue" has paved the way for a strengthened partnership, following a pivotal visit by a U

The U.S. Congress has approved a massive spending package, allocating an additional $170 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol through September 2029. This unprecedented funding—up from a $19 billion annual budget—aims to fuel the most extensive deportation campaign in modern U.S. history, including the construction of new detention centers and private-sector partnerships for surveillance. Targeting Non-Criminals and Legal Immigrants Official

In a major escalation of the maritime blockade, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Saturday the seizure of another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The operation, executed before dawn by the U.S. Coast Guard with Department of Defense support, marks the second such seizure in a week, following President Donald Trump’s executive order for a "total blockade" on sanctioned Venezuelan oil. Targeting "Narco-Terrorism" under the Panama Flag In a post on "

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro delivered a defiant speech early Thursday, slamming U.S. foreign policy as "colonialist and warmongering." His remarks came in direct response to President Donald Trump’s executive order implementing a total naval blockade on sanctioned oil tankers heading to or from Venezuela. Maduro asserted that Caracas would remain sovereign and continue its international trade despite Washington's attempts at "regime change." Regional Solidarity Agains

The Venezuelan government on Wednesday condemned President Donald Trump’s announcement of a total blockade on sanctioned oil tankers as "irrational" and a "grotesque threat." In an official statement, Caracas accused the U.S. of attempting to impose a military maritime blockade to "steal wealth that belongs to our nation." 1. Venezuela’s Diplomatic Response UN Complaint:  Caracas urged the UN Security Council to condemn what it called "state-sponsored piracy" following the se

President Donald Trump has expanded the U.S. travel ban, prohibiting citizens from five additional countries and travelers with Palestinian Authority documents from entering the United States. The White House stated these restrictions aim to "protect U.S. security" and will take effect on January 1, 2026. 1. New Additions and Restrictions Full Entry Suspension:  New countries added to the full ban include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria . Palestinian Documen

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he has ordered a "full and total" blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the government of Nicolás Maduro a foreign terrorist organization, accusing it of "terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking." 1. Naval Blockade and Military Mobilization Unprecedented Fleet:  Trump stated that Venezuela is surrounded by the largest naval fleet ever mobilized in Sout

U.S. President Donald Trump has drawn fierce criticism, including a rare public backlash from fellow Republicans, after linking the murder of Hollywood director Rob Reiner to what he called "Trump Derangement Syndrome." 1. Controversial Remarks On his platform, Truth Social , Trump claimed that Reiner’s death was "the result of the anger he caused others through his illness... known as Trump Derangement Syndrome." He further described Reiner, a long-time vocal critic, as "der