Nicolás Maduro

Largest aircraft carrier in the world sent by US to Middle East as Iran talks continue

This comes after reports that the USS George H.W. Bush would deploy to the region.

|ByTZVI JASPER
AMERICAN AIRCRAFT Carrier USS Gerald Ford arrives, on November 14, 2022 in Gosport, England.
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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

|BySAEED GHASSEMINEJAD, NAVID MOHEBBI

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.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByREUTERS
Nicolas Maduro and Colombian businessman Alex Saab attend an event, in Caracas, Venezuela January 23, 2024; illustrative.

Nobel Prize laureate Machado meets FM Sa'ar, calls for resumption of Venezuelan-Israeli relations

"Israel and Venezuela have historically shared very close ties, which we will reclaim and strengthen in this new era of democracy and freedom," Machado assured in her statement.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
FM Gideon Sa'ar met with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

US parades Maduro in New York as clear warning to global adversaries - opinion

The US used Maduro’s capture to signal power and warn adversaries that challenges to US authority are not welcome.

JANUARY 31, 2026BySALEM ALKETBI
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is escorted, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan, earlier this month. The handling of Maduro’s transportation to New York was done without discretion to send a message, the writer says.

Will Venezuela get the 'Gaza treatment' from the US? - opinion

From Washington’s perspective, Venezuela is already a failed state, and officials have proposed setting up a Technocratic Council in the South American nation, similar to that in Gaza.

JANUARY 31, 2026ByNICOLE MISCHEL
VENEZUELA’S INTERIM President Delcy Rodriguez attends an event to receive the insignia of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, on Wednesday. Rodriguez is a hostage to her own security apparatus; or she may simply be applying a delaying tactic to reorganize her bases while simulating cooperation.

Trump threatens tariffs on any nation supplying Cuba with oil

US President Donald Trump announces potential tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba, ramping up pressure on the island’s leadership.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByREUTERS
An illustration of the flags of Cuba and the US, with a rift in between.

Trump eases Venezuela oil sanctions to boost US investment

The Trump administration eases some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector, allowing US companies to invest, but excludes firms from China, Russia, and other rivals.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByREUTERS
An illustration of oil rigs over a background of a Venezuelan flag.

US handing over seized tanker to Venezuela, officials say

The US hands back the Panama‑flagged M/T Sophia to Venezuela, marking the first reversal of such a seizure under the Trump administration.

JANUARY 29, 2026ByREUTERS
The Guinea-flagged oil tanker MT Bandra, which is under sanctions, is partially seen alongside another vessel at El Palito terminal, near Puerto Cabello, Venezuela December 29, 2025; illustrative.

How media decides which deaths count and which events matter - analysis

How psychological warfare is waged not by lies but by deciding which events are allowed to matter.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByPAULA SLIER
View of an illustration depicting captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in downtown Caracas.

As US forces build up, Trump weighs limited strikes to shake Iran’s regime - analysis

One of the challenges facing President Trump in deciding how to strike is the fact that protests have significantly diminished after weeks of murders by the regime inside Iran.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the Strait of Hormuz as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Nightdippers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 lifts off from the flight deck November 19, 2019.

Trump’s first year back in office expanded Israel’s freedom of action - opinion

Beyond Iran and Gaza, US President Donald Trump quietly expanded Israel’s strategic and legal room for maneuver.

JANUARY 25, 2026ByZAKI SHALOM
US President Donald Trump looks on after signing executive orders inside the Capital One Arena on the inauguration day of his second presidential term, in Washington, January 20, 2025.