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A woman reacts as government supporters gather, after US President Donald Trump said the US had struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 3. Photo: Reuters
United States

Opinion | The US now owns more than just Venezuela’s oil

A hard lesson in foreign policy comes to mind: if you break it, you own it. America is now responsible for Venezuela’s failures, factions and future grievances.

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Thailand

Thailand tightens cannabis sales as dispensaries face closure ahead of election

United States

Editorial | US strike on Venezuela signals worrying return to gunboat diplomacy

US-Venezuela conflict

US ousting of Maduro prompts region to reassess China – and Trump’s next move

Trump hints at wider action as Latin American governments weigh sovereignty, China ties and US dominance.

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Protesters gather outside a courthouse in New York on Monday where ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made his first appearance after he was seized by US forces in his country. Photo: Xinhua
US-Venezuela conflict

‘Shocked’ China demands immediate release of Nicolas Maduro

At an ‘emergency’ meeting of the UN Security Council, Chinese envoy Sun Lei says Beijing ‘strongly condemns’ Maduro’s capture by US.

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US-Venezuela conflict

Maduro says he is ‘innocent’ in court, declaring himself Venezuela’s president

Abducted strongman was indicted on narcoterrorism and weapons charges after being taken into US custody in Caracas.

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US-Venezuela conflict

After Venezuela takeover, Chinese investors brace for era of regional anxiety

Washington’s moves to assert dominance in the western hemisphere could see tighter restrictions to curb Beijing’s growing footprint.

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Pro-government, armed civilians attend a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 4, demanding the release of President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores, after US forces captured and flew them to the United States. Photo: AP
Americas and the Caribbean

Power vacuum in Caracas? Venezuelans wonder who’s in charge after US operation

Nicolas Maduro’s deputy granted temporary presidential powers, but it is unclear who is running Venezuela.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Explainer | Was the US capture of Venezuela’s President Maduro legal?

Nicolas Maduro to face charges in New York - but experts question the legality of the US operation and plans to ‘run’ Venezuela.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Inside the US operation in Venezuela to capture President Maduro

Elite US troops seized the Venezuelan leader and his wife in a predawn assault involving 150 aircraft, in a mission that was months in the making.

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima after his capture. Photo: @realDonaldTrump via Reuters
United States

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

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Members of Cuban Assault Brigade 2506 after their capture at the Bay of Pigs, Cuba, April 1961. Photo: AFP
China-Latin America relations

China decries ‘brazen use of force’ as US attacks Venezuela

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife will face charges in New York; US President Donald Trump says ‘much larger attack’ still possible.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Maduro open to talks with US on drugs and oil, but silent on CIA strike

Venezuela’s leader sidesteps questions about a reported US land attack while offering to talk ‘seriously’ about cooperation.

Middle East

Saudi Arabia sets executions record in 2025, putting 356 people to death

The surge comes amid Riyadh’s ongoing ‘war on drugs’ and marked the first time more foreigners were executed than Saudis in a calendar year.

Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh. Rights groups say the death penalty undermines the country’s efforts to present a modern image to the world. Photo: Shutterstock
Americas and the Caribbean

US Coast Guard searches for survivors after strike on alleged drug boats

US strike in international waters kills three people while others jumped overboard and may have survived.

A strike on one of three boats alleged to be trafficking drugs. Three people are said to have killed, as others jumped overboard. Photo: US Southern Command via AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

CIA behind drone strike on ‘big facility’ in Venezuela: sources

Sources divulge details of a US strike mentioned by Trump, as Colombia’s president says US bombed a suspected cocaine factory.

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Venezuela

Trump says US ‘hit’ drug boat loading facility in Venezuela pressure campaign

If confirmed, it would mark the first known land strike on Venezuelan soil since the US began its lethal anti-cartel campaign in September.

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Venezuela

Venezuela ‘frees 99 prisoners’ detained after 2024 election protests

Rights groups said the number released ‘does not correspond to reality’ despite growing pressure from Washington on President Maduro.

Demonstrators hold a banner demanding the release of all political prisoners during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela on January 9. On Friday, the prisons authority said it had released 99 prisoners. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Philippine court upholds murder verdict in Duterte’s drug war case

While the ruling has been hailed as a win for human rights, it may not have much impact on Duterte’s ICC case, legal analysts say.

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China-Latin America relations

China, Russia clash with US at UN over Venezuela oil seizures and naval pressure

Venezuela turns to UN as Trump’s oil crackdown intensifies and Caracas advances a law targeting those in support of naval blockades.

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China-Latin America relations

China says US broke international law by seizing oil tankers off Venezuela

Situation intensifies as Beijing condemns tanker seizures and US security chief calls to remove Nicolas Maduro from power.

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A US military helicopter flies over the Panama-flagged Centuries, which was intercepted by the US Coast Guard on Saturday. Photo: DHS via Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysian rapper Namewee acquitted of drug use charge after negative test

The 42-year-old still faces a drug possession charge and remains under investigation following the death of a Taiwanese influencer.

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Malaysian rapper Namewee has been under investigation for drug-related charges and over the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

China showcases joint effort with US in drugs-related money laundering case

Case spanning both nations saw two men sentenced to jail following US tip-off, People’s Daily reports.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Passenger flung from car as 3 arrested after high-speed chase in Hong Kong

Driver and two passengers arrested for various offences after parked car and truck hit during wild ride in New Territories.

Malaysia

‘One of the biggest ever’: Malaysia busts US$375 million drug ring

Six arrested in raids on a syndicate that could have supplied drugs to 68.5 million users according to narcotics officials.

Royal Malaysia Police display seized drugs and manufacturing equipment at a Saturday press conference in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
United States

Trump leaves war with Venezuela on the table, threatens more seizures: NBC

The comments increase pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s regime, but Trump wouldn’t say if ousting the Venezuelan leader was his ultimate goal.

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US President Donald Trump (left) and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump told NBC News he’s keeping the possibility of war with Venezuela on the table. Photo: AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

Trump’s Venezuela ‘blockade’ raises legal questions as US masses forces

With an unusually large US military presence near Venezuela, observers warn of tactics that stretch the bounds of international law.

Americas and the Caribbean

US forces strike another alleged drug boat in eastern Pacific, killing 4

The attack brought the total number of known boat strikes to 26, while at least 99 people have been killed.

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