Venezuela

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.
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.”
Tuesday, January 6th 2026 - 10:30 UTC
Conspiracy theories: Why did Maduro fall so quickly?

Rumors, speculation, and conspiracy theories of all kinds are surfacing about who betrayed former Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro so that US troops could abduct him from Caracas and make him stand trial in New York.
Tuesday, January 6th 2026 - 10:07 UTC
Gunshots near Caracas' Presidential Palace amounted to nothing important

Gunshots were heard in Caracas on Monday at around 8 pm near the Miraflores presidential palace, prompting speculations as to the motives behind the havoc. Later unofficial reports pointed to a succession of misunderstandings resulting in a friendly fire clash.
Tuesday, January 6th 2026 - 09:58 UTC
Maduro and his wife arraigned in New York court

Former Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores formally pleaded not guilty to federal charges of narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, and weapons offenses during their arraignment on Monday in New York before Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Monday, January 5th 2026 - 23:33 UTC
US Begins preparations to reopen Embassy in Caracas after Maduro’s capture

The United States confirmed on Monday that it is “making the necessary preparations” to potentially reopen its embassy in Caracas, closed since 2019, following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military operation carried out early Saturday.
Monday, January 5th 2026 - 10:55 UTC
Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as caretaker President of Venezuela

Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez chaired the 757th Council of Ministers on Sunday to establish a strategy for national stability following Nicolás Maduro's detention by US forces.
Monday, January 5th 2026 - 10:36 UTC
Leftwing governments object to Washington's abduction of Maduro

The governments of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing “deep concern and rejection” of the US military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.