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Marco Rubio

The latest news on Marco Rubio, American politician and 72nd United States Secretary of State, including US politics news and updates.

Born

28 May 1971

Industry

Politics

Job title

US Secretary of State

Foro Penal estimates there are about 800 political prisoners in the South American country. Photo: AFP

US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela frees dozens of political prisoners as leader tells US ‘enough orders’

Rights group says it has verified the identities of 104 of those freed as Venezuela navigates life after Maduro.

26 Jan 2026 - 4:22PM

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

‘For the world’: Trump launches his Board of Peace that some see rivalling UN

22 Jan 2026 - 8:49PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump could lead his Board of Peace for life after leaving White House

21 Jan 2026 - 3:15PM

Ukraine war

Top Ukrainian negotiator says talks with US to continue in Davos

Negotiators move from Florida to Switzerland for talks as Ukrainians reel from Russian attacks that have damaged energy infrastructure.

19 Jan 2026 - 11:29AM

People enter a tent provided by emergency services for Kyiv residents whose homes have been left without heating during sub-zero temperatures. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

A ‘Trump UN’ with US$1 billion entry? Nations cautious on Board of Peace plan

US president invites 60 nations to join his ‘Board of Peace’, with permanent membership available for states that pay US$1 billion.

19 Jan 2026 - 1:11PM

Donald Trump

Trump wants nations to pay US$1 billion to stay on his Board of Peace

Critics are worried that the US president is trying to build an alternative – or rival – to the United Nations.

18 Jan 2026 - 12:19PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel objects to composition of Trump-led Gaza ‘board of peace’

PM Netanyahu says the unveiling of the board was not coordinated with Israel and contradicted his government’s policy.

18 Jan 2026 - 2:05AM

Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war in Gaza City on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Trump names Blair, Rubio to Gaza ‘board of peace’

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, envoy Steve Witkoff and World Bank President Ajay Banga will also be on the panel chaired by the US leader.

17 Jan 2026 - 2:20PM

Donald Trump

Trump says he may tariff countries that don’t back US controlling Greenland

The remarks come while US lawmakers visit Denmark in a bid to lower tensions over their president’s threats to take over the island.

17 Jan 2026 - 3:05AM

US-China relations

Exclusive | US envoy David Perdue to visit Hong Kong at the end of January, sources say

Envoy is expected to address a business conference and will spend several days in the city, according to people familiar with the matter.

16 Jan 2026 - 12:43PMvideocam

David Perdue is said to be visiting Hong Kong to speak at a Goldman Sachs conference on January 27. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela’s Machado says she ‘presented’ her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

US president praises Machado for her ‘wonderful’ gesture as he warms to Venezuela’s new leaders.

16 Jan 2026 - 3:48PM

Maria Corina Machado gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump during their White House meeting. Photo: The White House via Reuters

Greenland

Europeans send military personnel to Greenland in message to Trump

Initial deployments are small, but Denmark is planning a ‘larger, more permanent’ Nato presence.

16 Jan 2026 - 3:03PM

US-Venezuela conflict

Trump prevails in US Senate showdown over Venezuela war powers

A 51–50 vote kills war powers resolution after Trump pressure flips two key Republican defectors.

15 Jan 2026 - 9:17AM

Middle East

Trump claims ‘killing in Iran is stopping’, but keeps US options open

US president says that Iran hangings are off the table, and to ‘watch it and see’ about military action.

15 Jan 2026 - 12:27PM

Women cross a street under a huge banner showing hands firmly holding Iranian flags in Tehran on Wednesday. Photo: AP

United States

Denmark cites ‘fundamental disagreement’ with Trump over Greenland

US president asserts ‘we need Greenland’, as Denmark announces a stepped-up military presence in the Arctic with its allies.

15 Jan 2026 - 11:24AM

Demonstrators take part in a protest under the slogan ‘Greenland is for Greenlanders’ in front of the US embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

United States

Not ‘Trump-compatible’? China expert Rudd exits Australia’s US ambassador role

Kevin ‌Rudd left his post a year ‍earlier than planned following criticism from US President Donald Trump at White House meeting in October.

14 Jan 2026 - 6:34AMvideocam

US-China relations

Chinese student numbers at Harvard rise despite Trump visa crackdown

Enrolment from mainland China grew 4.5% in 2025 even as Washington tightened vetting and revoked thousands of student visas.

14 Jan 2026 - 5:55AMvideocam

Greenland

Greenland says ‘we choose Denmark’, as talks with Trump officials loom

The island would rather remain Danish than be taken over by the US, its leader says, despite ongoing discussions about independence.

14 Jan 2026 - 3:08AMvideocam

A “Nu det NUUK!” cap with a “Make America Go Away” slogan is displayed in a clothing store in Copenhagen on Monday. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Honduras rejects ‘illegal’ recount order of vote won by Trump-backed candidate

Electoral body labels recount decree ‘unconstitutional’, confirming Trump-backed Nasry Asfura as winner despite outgoing president’s protests.

13 Jan 2026 - 5:39PM

Mexico

Sheinbaum tells Trump US military intervention in Mexico ‘unnecessary’

Mexico’s president said she rejected Trump’s offer of sending the US military after the cartels in her country.

13 Jan 2026 - 8:49AM

US-Venezuela conflict

Trump sets meeting with Machado as Venezuela frees more prisoners

White House plans Thursday talks with the Nobel winner while continuing to engage Venezuela’s leaders on oil access and prisoner releases.

13 Jan 2026 - 3:45PMvideocam

Relatives of inmates hug each other after visiting their loved one at El Rodeo 1 prison, outside Caracas in Venezuela. Photo: AFP

Asean

Opinion | Why US ops in Venezuela have shaken Asia-Pacific’s middle powers

Middle powers fear a return to ‘rules of the jungle’ geopolitics as rival powers carve out spheres of influence.

13 Jan 2026 - 1:31AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

Trump says might keep Exxon out of Venezuela after CEO called it ‘uninvestable’

US president voices displeasure with the US company’s response to his initiative for Venezuela’s oil industry.

12 Jan 2026 - 4:25PM

Donald Trump

Cuba defiant after Trump threat to cut off ‘oil and money’ lifeline

Cuban president says island is prepared to ‘defend homeland to last drop of blood’ as Trump ramps up pressure after action in Venezuela.

12 Jan 2026 - 4:26PMvideocam

Greenland

Britain in talks with Nato allies over Arctic security as US eyes Greenland

UK minister says talks on the Arctic ‘business as usual’, while Trump posits having Greenland ‘one way or the other’.

12 Jan 2026 - 3:06PM

Donald Trump

Trump says Colombia’s Petro to visit US, in U-turn from threats to diplomacy

Just days ago, Trump had issued a warning to the South American leader for criticising the US attack that removed Venezuela’s Maduro.

10 Jan 2026 - 3:59AM

US President Donald Trump (right) spoke with Colombian President Gustavo Petro over the phone on Wednesday. Photos: AFP

US-Venezuela conflict

US seizes fifth tanker as Washington escalates bid to control Venezuela’s oil

Joint US forces intercept the Olina amid Trump talks with Chevron, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips on US$100 billion Venezuela plan.

10 Jan 2026 - 7:45AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

How far is China willing to help Cuba in face of increasing US pressure?

The Trump administration has turned the spotlight onto Havana after the abduction of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

10 Jan 2026 - 3:33PMvideocam

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Marco Rubio

Venezuela frees dozens of political prisoners as leader tells US ‘enough orders’

Rights group says it has verified the identities of 104 of those freed as Venezuela navigates life after Maduro.

‘For the world’: Trump launches his Board of Peace that some see rivalling UN

Trump could lead his Board of Peace for life after leaving White House

Top Ukrainian negotiator says talks with US to continue in Davos

Negotiators move from Florida to Switzerland for talks as Ukrainians reel from Russian attacks that have damaged energy infrastructure.

A ‘Trump UN’ with US$1 billion entry? Nations cautious on Board of Peace plan

US president invites 60 nations to join his ‘Board of Peace’, with permanent membership available for states that pay US$1 billion.

Trump wants nations to pay US$1 billion to stay on his Board of Peace

Critics are worried that the US president is trying to build an alternative – or rival – to the United Nations.

Israel objects to composition of Trump-led Gaza ‘board of peace’

PM Netanyahu says the unveiling of the board was not coordinated with Israel and contradicted his government’s policy.

Trump names Blair, Rubio to Gaza ‘board of peace’

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, envoy Steve Witkoff and World Bank President Ajay Banga will also be on the panel chaired by the US leader.

Trump says he may tariff countries that don’t back US controlling Greenland

The remarks come while US lawmakers visit Denmark in a bid to lower tensions over their president’s threats to take over the island.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | US envoy David Perdue to visit Hong Kong at the end of January, sources say

Envoy is expected to address a business conference and will spend several days in the city, according to people familiar with the matter.

Venezuela’s Machado says she ‘presented’ her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

US president praises Machado for her ‘wonderful’ gesture as he warms to Venezuela’s new leaders.

Europeans send military personnel to Greenland in message to Trump

Initial deployments are small, but Denmark is planning a ‘larger, more permanent’ Nato presence.

Trump prevails in US Senate showdown over Venezuela war powers

A 51–50 vote kills war powers resolution after Trump pressure flips two key Republican defectors.

Trump claims ‘killing in Iran is stopping’, but keeps US options open

US president says that Iran hangings are off the table, and to ‘watch it and see’ about military action.

Denmark cites ‘fundamental disagreement’ with Trump over Greenland

US president asserts ‘we need Greenland’, as Denmark announces a stepped-up military presence in the Arctic with its allies.

Not ‘Trump-compatible’? China expert Rudd exits Australia’s US ambassador role

Kevin ‌Rudd left his post a year ‍earlier than planned following criticism from US President Donald Trump at White House meeting in October.

Chinese student numbers at Harvard rise despite Trump visa crackdown

Enrolment from mainland China grew 4.5% in 2025 even as Washington tightened vetting and revoked thousands of student visas.

Greenland says ‘we choose Denmark’, as talks with Trump officials loom

The island would rather remain Danish than be taken over by the US, its leader says, despite ongoing discussions about independence.

Honduras rejects ‘illegal’ recount order of vote won by Trump-backed candidate

Electoral body labels recount decree ‘unconstitutional’, confirming Trump-backed Nasry Asfura as winner despite outgoing president’s protests.

Sheinbaum tells Trump US military intervention in Mexico ‘unnecessary’

Mexico’s president said she rejected Trump’s offer of sending the US military after the cartels in her country.

Trump sets meeting with Machado as Venezuela frees more prisoners

White House plans Thursday talks with the Nobel winner while continuing to engage Venezuela’s leaders on oil access and prisoner releases.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why US ops in Venezuela have shaken Asia-Pacific’s middle powers

Middle powers fear a return to ‘rules of the jungle’ geopolitics as rival powers carve out spheres of influence.

Trump says might keep Exxon out of Venezuela after CEO called it ‘uninvestable’

US president voices displeasure with the US company’s response to his initiative for Venezuela’s oil industry.

Cuba defiant after Trump threat to cut off ‘oil and money’ lifeline

Cuban president says island is prepared to ‘defend homeland to last drop of blood’ as Trump ramps up pressure after action in Venezuela.

Britain in talks with Nato allies over Arctic security as US eyes Greenland

UK minister says talks on the Arctic ‘business as usual’, while Trump posits having Greenland ‘one way or the other’.

Trump says Colombia’s Petro to visit US, in U-turn from threats to diplomacy

Just days ago, Trump had issued a warning to the South American leader for criticising the US attack that removed Venezuela’s Maduro.

US seizes fifth tanker as Washington escalates bid to control Venezuela’s oil

Joint US forces intercept the Olina amid Trump talks with Chevron, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips on US$100 billion Venezuela plan.

How far is China willing to help Cuba in face of increasing US pressure?

The Trump administration has turned the spotlight onto Havana after the abduction of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Exclusive | US envoy David Perdue to visit Hong Kong at the end of January, sources say

Opinion | Why US ops in Venezuela have shaken Asia-Pacific’s middle powers