United States

Thursday, January 8th 2026 - 20:55 UTC
Venezuela releases three Argentine political prisoners

Venezuela's interim Government of caretaker President Delcy Rodríguez released a series of foreign and domestic political prisoners on Thursday, including three Argentine nationals, it was reported in Caracas.
Thursday, January 8th 2026 - 10:55 UTC
Venezuela's new oil revenues to be spent solely on US goods

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that the proceeds from his country's future oil purchases from Venezuela under caretaker President Delcy Rodríguez will be spent entirely on US-made products, making Washington Caracas' new main trading partner instead of Moscow, Beijing, or Tehran.
Thursday, January 8th 2026 - 10:55 UTC
Trump invites Petro to White House following phone call

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would host Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House in the coming days to resolve a “pre-war” climate between the two nations. The initiative was agreed upon after a telephone call between both leaders lasting over one hour.
Thursday, January 8th 2026 - 10:29 UTC
Rubio outlines three-phase plan for Venezuela's recovery

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described on Wednesday before his country's Senate the President Donald Trump administration's three-phase plan for Venezuela’s political and economic future.
Thursday, January 8th 2026 - 10:20 UTC
US keeps seizing tankers linked to Venezuela

United States forces executed back-to-back seizures of two major oil tankers on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in the naval blockade of Venezuela. The operations, part of the broader “Operation Southern Spear,” targeted vessels accused of defying sanctions and operating within the “dark fleet” to transport Venezuelan crude.
Thursday, January 8th 2026 - 10:14 UTC
Trump orders US out of 66 “wasteful” international organizations

US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Wednesday directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations. The White House characterized the targeted entities as “redundant,” “wasteful,” or “hostile to American sovereignty.”
Wednesday, January 7th 2026 - 19:05 UTC
PDVSA confirms negotiations with US for crude sales amid post-Maduro energy realignment

Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA confirmed on Tuesday that it is currently engaged in negotiations with the United States for the sale of crude oil volumes, framing the talks as a strictly commercial transaction.
Wednesday, January 7th 2026 - 10:55 UTC
Trump claims control of Venezuelan oil: Up to 50 million barrels bound for US

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Venezuela's interim authorities had agreed to “turn over” between 30 and 50 million barrels of crude oil to the United States.
Wednesday, January 7th 2026 - 10:15 UTC
Delcy Rodríguez declares week of mourning for fallen Maduro's guardsmen

Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared seven days of national mourning to honor those fallen during the Jan. 3 US military mission to capture former ruler Nicolás Maduro. Rodríguez said the week will be dedicated to the “honor and glory” of the “martyrs.”
Wednesday, January 7th 2026 - 09:18 UTC
Convicted CIA mole serving life with no parole dies in jail

Former CIA counterintelligence officer Aldrich Ames, whose nearly decade-long betrayal of the United States stood as one of the most catastrophic security breaches in history, died in federal custody on Monday at the age of 84.