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Nicolas Maduro

Nicolas Maduro
The latest news and top stories on Nicolas Maduro, the former president of Venezuela in US custody. After more than a decade in power, Maduro’s tenure effectively ended on January 3, 2026, when he was abducted by US special forces during a pre-dawn raid on his Caracas compound. He and his wife, Cilia Flores, were subsequently exfiltrated to New York City to face narcotrafficking charges.
People walk past a mural with the Cuban flag in Havana, Cuba, on April 15. Photo: EPA
China-Latin America relations

Beijing backs Cuba, Chile reveals smuggling ring: Latin America relations reads

From a smuggling ring in Chile to rare earth wrangling in Brazil, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.

United States

First direct US-Venezuela commercial flight in 7 years heads to Caracas

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Science

Will the future world order be determined by who controls low Earth orbit?

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Russia

Russia says US using coups, kidnappings to ‘defend its well-being’ at any cost

‘The United States has officially declared that no one can dictate to it,’ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.

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Captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro heads towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face US federal charges in New York City in January. Photo: Reuters
US-Venezuela conflict

US soldier charged with using classified intel for Maduro removal bet

Gannon Ken Van Dyke is accused of using mission secrets to net a US$404,000 windfall on prediction site Polymarket.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba confirms rare Havana talks with US officials

A senior diplomat describes ‘professional’ meetings as Havana seeks an end to the US oil blockade.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Exclusive | Iran keen on deal with US but has higher ‘pain tolerance’: think tank chief

Mohamed Amersi, who is close to Iranian negotiators, says regime is prepared for long haul and will not give up its missile programme.

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Mohamed Amersi, an Iranian based in Britain, says Tehran is keen for a memorandum or framework of understanding with the United States. Photo: WANA via Reuters
US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela’s Machado says ‘no regrets’ about giving her Nobel Prize to Trump

The opposition leader called the US president a leader who ‘risked the lives of his country’s citizens’ for her nation’s freedom.

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Cuba

Cuba’s president says island does not wish for US aggression, but ready to fight

Cuba has been bracing for a possible attack following repeated warnings from Trump after he toppled Venezuela’s leader.

North Korea

Nuclear defiance: North Korea’s Kim signals he won’t be the next Iran

Kim Jong-un’s increased appearances at military drills show his confidence in Pyongyang’s nuclear deterrence, analysts say.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits to observe the test launches of missiles at an undisclosed place on Sunday. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AP
US-Venezuela conflict

IMF, World Bank say they are resuming dealings with Venezuela

The move follows the January ouster of Nicolas Maduro and could unlock billions in frozen assets for the Rodriguez administration.

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez delivers a speech during a civil-military parade in Caracas on Monday. Photo: AFP
United States

Lula blasts Trump’s fear-based rule, calls for ‘great maturity’

‘Trump has no right to wake up in the morning and threaten a country,’ Brazil’s president says.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba’s president warns US against attacking island or trying to depose him

Miguel Diaz-Canel said an invasion of Cuba would be costly and affect regional security but should it happen, Cubans would defend themselves.

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US-Venezuela conflict

‘Eager to explore’: Chinese migrants return to Venezuela after Maduro’s capture

A large chunk of Venezuela’s Chinese community fled overseas during Maduro’s rule. Now, many are returning as they see ‘new opportunities’.

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Illustration by Henry Wong
China-Latin America relations

China, Russia rally behind Cuba as US squeezes Havana in deepening crisis

‘China is willing to work with the international community to firmly support Cuba,’ said a Beijing spokesperson.

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Cuba faces a deepening crisis marked by widespread power outages, acute fuel shortages and growing economic strain, as external pressure and limited supplies weigh on daily life. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

Why the US-Iran ceasefire is seen as a failure for Donald Trump

As the two sides prepare to meet in person in Pakistan, analysts identify American leader’s miscalculations leading to weaker footing.

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Asean

Most in Asean prefer China over US in survey, Trump cited as biggest concern

Support for China was stronger in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, according to the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute survey.

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US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela’s government, opposition may cooperate to safeguard US assets

Lawyers for both sides have requested a 45-day pause in the US asset seizure case as Venezuela seeks ⁠to protect holdings from creditors.

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

US strengths and strains offer Beijing a playbook, but key differences limit how far the conflict can guide future military strategy.

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Banking & finance

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

US-Venezuela conflict

US lifts sanctions on Venezuela’s acting president, who praises Trump

The US continues to gradually ease measures on Caracas after its military captured leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3.

The US and Venezuela’s government led by Delcy Rodriguez have agreed to resume diplomatic relations. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Letters | Unfinished business: the delay of Trump’s China visit

Readers discuss the postponement of the US president’s visit to Beijing, and the underlying impulse behind American military action.

US President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025, in Busan, South Korea. Photo: Getty Images
US-Venezuela conflict

US reopens embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove Maduro

The State Department said normal operations had resumed at the Caracas embassy after a 7-year closure that began during Trump’s first term.

Venezuela

Russian oil tanker arrives in Cuba as Moscow vows to stand by Havana

Cuba became dependent on the Soviet Union for oil after its communist revolution ⁠in 1959.

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Americas and the Caribbean

US to allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba in lifeline for the island

Cuba has not received an oil tanker in three months, according to its president, leading to strict petrol rationing and blackouts.

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A person walks past a petrol station in Havana, Cuba amid a fuel crisis on the Caribbean island. Photo: EPA
Venezuela

Video | How did oil-rich Venezuela spiral to instability?

The Venezuelan oil industry has made the country rich, but economic mismanagement and foreign interference led to years of instability.

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US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela’s Maduro back in court after shock capture by US forces

The judge indicated he would not dismiss the case over Maduro’s apparent inability to afford the legal bill without aid from his government.

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Cuba

Humanitarian aid boat arrives in Cuba amid US blockade crisis

Shrimp fishing boat with aid docks weeks after the Trump administration cut off fuel supplies to the island nation.

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