Venezuela

Top US commander for Latin America makes surprise visit to Venezuela

The trip, along with last week's visit by US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, is part of US President Donald Trump's efforts to push Venezuela to carry out sweeping reforms.

Commander of the US Southern Command Francis L. Donovan, US Charge d'Affaires to Venezuela Laura Farnsworth Dogu and senior Pentagon official Joseph M. Humire pose for a photo in Caracas, Venezuela, February 18, 2026.
 The world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives at Mediterranean Sea on October 11, 2023

US strikes more suspected drug-smuggling boats as warships shift toward Middle East – report

an illustrative image of Anthropic's Claude.

Pentagon faces backlash after using AI model Claude for offensive measures in Maduro capture - WSJ

US troops are seen boarding an oil tanker breaching Washington's blockade on sanctioned vessels traveling to or from Venezuela, February 15, 2026.

US intercepts Iran-linked oil tanker en route from Caribbean to Indian Ocean


Maduro still 'legitimate president' of Venezuela, acting leader Delcy Rodriguez tells NBC

Venezuela's Delcy Rodriguez defends Maduro as the rightful leader and signals diplomatic progress with the US, amid growing cooperation and oil sales.

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez looks on following a meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright at Miraflores Palace, Caracas, Venezuela, February 11, 2026.

US-led oil sales from Venezuela to bring in $5 billion in months, energy chief Wright tells NBC

Much of the oil is being refined in US refineries, and the administration of US President Donald Trump has handed over proceeds from the sales to Venezuela’s interim government, Chris Wright said.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks during the sixth meeting of the Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) in Athens, Greece, November 6, 2025. 

Venezuela sends first oil shipment to Israel in years in sign of relations improving - Bloomberg

Israel's Bazan Group will be responsible for transporting the cargo, according to the report, although authorities have not publicly disclosed this.

Oil tanker Bronco sits anchored in Lake Maracaibo, near the Bajo Grande crude port operated by state oil company PDVSA, in Maracaibo, Venezuela, February 9, 2026. (Ilustration)

As socialist governments fall, Israel must seize moment in Latin America - opinion

Political changes in Latin America are paving the way for new diplomatic opportunities for Israel – and the Jewish state must seize the moment

Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena (L) speaks with US President Donald Trump at the Board of Peace meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2026.

A ‘Venezuelan model’ in Iran would be a disaster for Israel, Iranians - opinion

Removing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei without dismantling the regime risks betraying the Iranian people and leaving Israel facing the same threats under new leadership.

 US President Donald Trump seen over an illustrative image of American-Iranian ties (illustrative)

My Word: Dangerous global gambling games - opinion

Prediction markets claim to reveal the future, but when wars, elections, and disasters are used for gambling, the consequences can be dangerous.


US military says it killed two people in strike on suspected drug vessel in Eastern Pacific

According to CNN, at least 119 people have now been killed in American military strikes on suspected drug boats as part of the Trump administrations so-called campaign against narcotics trafficking. 

The top deck of US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, with fighter jets, December 1, 2025; illustrative.

Trump administration team seizes Puerto Rico voting machines in election security probe

A team under intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard examined Puerto Rico voting machines for security flaws, but found no evidence of Venezuelan interference.

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard speaks during a press briefing, at the White House, July 23, 2025; illustrative.

Maduro ally Saab arrested in Venezuela, US official says

Venezuelan official Alex Saab was reportedly arrested in a joint US-Venezuelan operation, though his lawyer and government aligned figures denied the claim as conflicting accounts emerged.

Nicolas Maduro and Colombian businessman Alex Saab attend an event, in Caracas, Venezuela January 23, 2024; illustrative.

Venezuela's interim president meets US envoy as diplomatic ties resume

US envoy Laura Dogu reiterated Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s three-phase roadmap for Venezuela, focusing on stabilization, economic recovery, and a political transition, the US embassy said.

Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez meets with U.S. envoy Laura Dogu as the two countries gradually resume bilateral relations broken in 2019, at Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela, February 2, 2026.