Venezuela

'I like his brother more': Trump slams Pope Leo over Iran nuclear issue, left-wing policies

Trump added that Pope Leo "should be thankful," as the only reason he had been elected to the Vatican was "because he was an American" who would be able to "deal with President Donald J. Trump."

Pope Leo XIV walks as he leaves the papal residence to head back to the Vatican, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, March 31, 2026.
An aerial view shows the oil tanker named Boracay (also called Pushpa), a vessel being investigated by French authorities and suspected of belonging to the so-called "shadow fleet" involved in the Russian oil trade, off the coast of the western France port of Saint-Nazaire, France, October 2, 2025

US allows Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba, reversing course on blockade

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.

Maduro returns to US court as rare narcoterrorism law faces key test at trial - analysis

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks at her watch during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, March 19, 2026.

A golden age of diplomacy: A thing of the past? - comment


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.

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.

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.