The United States is handing over a tanker to Venezuela that it seized earlier this month, according to two U.S. officials, marking the first known case of Donald Trump’s administration returning such a vessel, Reuters reported.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate on Wednesday that Venezuela’s new leadership is moving towards closer relations with the United States, signalling that Washington sees no immediate need for further military action following the recent arrest of President Nicolas Maduro.
At least 80 political prisoners were freed across the country over the weekend following pressure from the United States, a prominent Venezuelan rights organisation, Foro Penal, said.
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday the country should not fear pursuing energy ties with the United States, as Caracas seeks to expand oil and gas production and attract foreign investment.
Venezuelan oil exports under a flagship $2 billion supply deal with the U.S. reached about 7.8 million barrels on Wednesday, vessel-tracking data and documents from state-run PDVSA showed.
U.S. forces have seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, marking the seventh such detention in recent weeks as Washington intensifies enforcement of sanctions on illicit oil shipments.
One year into his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has used tariffs, military operations and immigration crackdowns to drive an expansive vision of U.S. power that is generating strong resistance abroad and sharpening political divides at home.
Trump administration officials held months-long discussions with Venezuela’s hardline interior minister Diosdado Cabello before the U.S. operation that led to the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.
Venezuela confirmed that 47 soldiers died during a U.S. military operation earlier this month that captured President Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting on Thursday, 15 January.
The United States has seized a sixth Venezuela-linked tanker in the Caribbean, hours before President Donald Trump’s meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, U.S. officials told Reuters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the international situation is worsening and that the world is becoming more dangerous, while avoiding public comment on events in Venezuela and Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Wednesday with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, with both leaders describing the conversation as positive and productive.
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Wednesday that her government will continue releasing prisoners detained under former President Nicolás Maduro, calling it part of a “new political moment” since his ouster by the United States earlier this month.
The Trump administration has released a previously classified legal opinion on Tuesday, setting out its justification for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and U.S. military operations carried out inside Venezuela.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on Tuesday that authorities seized 6,850 kilograms of drugs in the southern state of Bolívar as part of an anti-narcotics operation earlier this month.
Venezuela has released 116 detainees in a new wave of prisoner releases, according to the Penitentiary Services Ministry.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Cuba should strike a deal with the United States, warning that the island nation would no longer receive oil or financial support.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order preventing Venezuelan oil revenues held by the United States, from being used in judicial proceedings, arguing that court action could threaten U.S. policy objectives in Venezuela.
The number of prisoners freed in Venezuela has increased to 18, human rights organisations reported on Saturday, up from nine on Friday afternoon.
The United States’ actions in Venezuela have clearly demonstrated not only that Latin America remains firmly in Washington’s geopolitical orbit, but also that the U.S. is the only global superpower.
Venezuela has released Former opposition candidate Enrique Marquez and prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist Rocío San Miguel and four other Spanish citizens, local rights group Foro Penal confirmed on Thursday (9 January).
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the U.S. is “gradually turning away” from some of its allies and “breaking free from international rules”.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has dismissed reports that Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s toppled leader, was previously offered asylum in Türkiye.
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