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Venezuela

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is situated on the northern coast of South America. Home to an estimated population of 29.1 million, it covers around 916,445 square kilometres which includes the Andes mountains and the Amazon Basin Rainforest. Its main export is oil. Venezuela was colonized by Spain in 1522 but continued resistance led in 1811 to it becoming the first Spanish American country to declare independence. A chequered political history followed which saw dictatorships rise and fall, as well as military coups.

Capital

Caracas

Head of State

President Nicolás Maduro

Head of Government

President Nicolás Maduro

The US arms package includes US$4 billion for 82 High Mobility Rocket Systems, or Himars, such as this. Photo: Handout

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US forces have reportedly been ordered to enforce a “quarantine” on Venezuelan oil, targeting all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving the country. Photo: Xinhua

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Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, speaks during a Security Council briefing on threats to international peace and security in New York on Tuesday. Venezuela requested a Security Council meeting, citing escalating tensions resulting from “US aggression” against the country. Photo: EPA

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US Coast Guard shadows a sanctioned ‘dark fleet’ supertanker as Washington moves to choke off Venezuela’s oil revenue.

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A US military helicopter flies over the Panama-flagged Centuries, which was intercepted by the US Coast Guard on Saturday. On Sunday, officials said the US was pursuing a third tanker in waters off Venezuela. Photo: DHS via Reuters

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US President Donald Trump signs an executive order designating fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, as a weapon of mass destruction, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday. Photo: EPA

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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

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The US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which has been operating in the region. Photo: US Navy via AFP

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they leave after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea, on October 30. Photo: Reuters

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One of the three boats hit by the latest US strikes in the eastern Pacific. Photo: US Southern Command via X

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An Iranian medium-range ballistic missile is seen next to a large banner depicting the country’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the capital Tehran. Photo: EPA

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A gasoline refinery in Asalouyeh, Iran. File photo: AP

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US President Donald Trump speaks alongside his defence secretary Pete Hegseth in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on December 2. Photo: AFP

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Venezuela

Venezuela condemns US arms sale to Taiwan, echoing Beijing’s position

Caracas says Washington’s move violates one-China principle and threatens regional stability as tensions over the island intensify.

Trump hints at land strike against drug cartels as Venezuela pressure mounts

Venezuela ‘frees 99 prisoners’ detained after 2024 election protests

Trump’s Venezuela gambit: power play with eye on China or weakness?

Hesitation does not equal lack of courage, observers caution, citing legal and domestic constraints and a likely pivot to ‘risk avoidance’.

China’s reusable rocket failure, PLA growth leaves US ‘vulnerable’: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s crowded border at Christmas to jailed ex-Malaysian PM’s request rejected, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

China, Russia clash with US at UN; Taipei mayor visit: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing accusing Washington of violating international law to a study on animal fats, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

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.

China’s reusable rocket recovery fails, US blacklists DJI: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s booster rocket woes to Beijing condemning US seizure of oil tankers, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

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.

US pursues third oil tanker as Trump’s Venezuela ‘blockade’ intensifies

US Coast Guard shadows a sanctioned ‘dark fleet’ supertanker as Washington moves to choke off Venezuela’s oil revenue.

US-China ties in focus after Trump labels fentanyl ‘weapon of mass destruction’

Formal designation in new executive order ‘not necessarily bad’ for Beijing amid cooperation with Washington on drug issues, analysts say.

Venezuela slams ‘international piracy’ after US seizes another vessel

Trump has ordered a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers in and out of the area, but the ship is reportedly not one of those blacklisted.

Rubio swaps hawk for diplomat in year-end pivot on China

Top US envoy eschews ‘pacing threat’ label, stressing cooperation and Western hemisphere priorities for 2026.

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.

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.

China’s youth-unemployment rate, Laos joins durian war: SCMP daily highlights

From EU-China trade ties to Laos securing approval to export durians, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

China FM Wang Yi reaffirms Beijing’s backing for Venezuela as US pressure grows

In a call with his Caracas counterpart, the Chinese foreign minister says mutual trust and support are a tradition of bilateral ties.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | For Trump, the only communists to really dislike are those at home

The limited discussion of China in the new US national security document indicates that the US president’s focus is on domestic challenges to his authority.

Trump orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela

Venezuelan government condemns blockade as ‘irrational’ after the US president demands it ‘return’ oil, land and assets to the US.

Trump’s chief of staff pulls back curtains of White House in revealing interviews

Susie Wiles offers her unusually candid opinion of Trump and senior figures in the US president’s orbit.

US military boat strikes kill 8, adding to drug war death toll

The US military said it targeted ‘designated terrorist organisations’, and posted video of an operation in the eastern Pacific.

‘Testing the waters’? US reported to have seized Chinese cargo bound for Iran

The US accuses China of supplying Iran with dual-use components that could potentially support Tehran’s ballistic missile build-up.

Trump declares fentanyl a ‘weapon of mass destruction’

US president dramatically escalates his fight against the drug by signing an executive order and warning against the ‘scourge’ of fentanyl.

No contact with Iran Nobel winner laureate arrest, supporters say

Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Peace Prize laureate, was detained on Friday alongside dozens of activists and may face national security charges.

Iran seizes foreign oil tanker suspected of smuggling fuel

Semi-official media cited few details but the news comes days after the US intercepted a tanker off Venezuela allegedly linked to Tehran.

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

Tensions rise as US prepares to seize more tankers with Venezuelan oil

Seizure off Venezuela signals a crackdown on a shadow fleet of tankers and financially squeezing the Maduro government.

Tanker seized off Venezuela to be taken to US port, as threat of war grows

White House justifies targeting ‘black-market oil’ as Russia expresses support for its ally, Nicolas Maduro.

Opinion | For Trump, the only communists to really dislike are those at home