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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

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US President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address was the longest to the Congress. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

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The US military says it tracked the vessel from the Caribbean Sea, before placing it under American control.

25 Feb 2026 - 1:30PM

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Americas and the Caribbean

Top US commander makes surprise visit to Venezuela

US Southern Command chief met with Venezuela’s president and other leaders for security talks.

19 Feb 2026 - 10:37AM

US General Francis Donovan speaking with soldiers after his arrival at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela on Wednesday. Photo: US embassy in Venezuela via AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

11 killed in US strikes on 3 more alleged drug boats

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18 Feb 2026 - 7:32AMvideocam

The US military did not provide evidence that the vessels were ferrying drugs but posted videos on social media that showed boats being destroyed.

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Spain to send humanitarian aid to Cuba through UN amid US fuel blockade

Trump has vowed to cut off oil and fuel to Cuba following the US military operation last month in Venezuela, Cuba’s main supplier of oil.

17 Feb 2026 - 5:51AM

US-Venezuela conflict

US forces board another tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean

The Veronica III, which sails under the Panamanian flag, is subject to US sanctions related to Iran, the US says.

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United States

3 dead in latest US strike on suspected drug vessel in Caribbean

The attack raises the death toll from the Trump administration’s strikes on ‘narcoterrorists’ in the Caribbean and Pacific to 133.

14 Feb 2026 - 10:26AM

An explosion occurs on a vessel during what the US military says was a strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean in this screen grab from a video released on Friday. Photo: US Southern Command/Reuters

Middle East

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The USS Gerald R. Ford departs from Newport News, Virginia, in April 2017. Photo: US Navy via AP

US-Venezuela conflict

Trump hails US ‘discombobulator’ weapon as he meets Maduro op troops

The US president made his first public comments on a device that he boasted could block Russian and Chinese defence systems.

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US-Venezuela conflict

US allows oil majors to resume Venezuela operations

The authorisation does not allow transactions ‌with companies in Russia, Iran or China.

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United States

From sanctioned to ‘legitimate’: how China bought Venezuelan oil from the US

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13 Feb 2026 - 9:29AMvideocam

An oil tanker anchored in Lake Maracaibo, in the state of Zulia, Venezuela in December. Photo: Xinhua

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China-Latin America relations

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Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba warns airlines it’s almost out of fuel as US blockade tightens chokehold

Air Canada suspends Cuba flights as Havana warns it can no longer guarantee refuelling for international carriers.

10 Feb 2026 - 3:33PM

A Turkish Airlines plane takes off at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba on Monday. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

‘Tracked and hunted’: US forces board tanker in Indian Ocean

US military intercepts the US-sanctioned Aquila II after a transoceanic chase from the Caribbean.

10 Feb 2026 - 3:08PM

The Aquila II tanker, which was boarded by US forces
after it was ‘tracked and hunted’ from the Caribbean. Photo: Pentagon via X

United States

Venezuela’s Machado says ally ‘kidnapped’ after prison release

Juan Pablo Guanipa was ‘violently’ taken away, hours after his release from prison, opposition leader says.

9 Feb 2026 - 4:35PM

Greenland

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Xi Jinping

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre) spoke to both US President Donald Trump (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) on Wednesday. Photo: AFP/ Xinhua/ Reuters

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7 Feb 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington on February 13, 2025. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

China keeps Cuba and Uruguay in the fold, puts Panama out in the cold

Beijing promises more aid to struggling Havana and cooperation with Montevideo as Washington looks to extend its reach in Latin America.

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Americas and the Caribbean

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Venezuela

North Korea’s Kim warns of ‘eternal confrontation’ without US dialogue

As long as Washington acknowledges Pyongyang as a nuclear power, there is ‘no reason not to get along’, the North Korean leader says.

Cuba coastguard kills 4 in firefight with US-registered speedboat

Trump touts US ‘golden age’, avoids direct mention of China before Beijing trip

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

US forces board third Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Indian Ocean

The US military says it tracked the vessel from the Caribbean Sea, before placing it under American control.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}The View | Venezuela and Panama aren’t the whole story of China in Latin America

While recent events highlight the risks in volatile states, China’s position in Latin America is rooted in deep trade and investment links with the region’s largest economies.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

Venezuela approves amnesty law that could free hundreds of political prisoners

Landmark amnesty bill was signed by Venezuela’s interim president nearly seven weeks after the capture of Nicolas Maduro by the US.

Peru Congress picks country’s eighth president in a decade

Jose Maria Balcazar installed as Peru’s interim president after Jose Jeri was ousted after barely four months in office.

Top US commander makes surprise visit to Venezuela

US Southern Command chief met with Venezuela’s president and other leaders for security talks.

11 killed in US strikes on 3 more alleged drug boats

It was one of the deadliest days in the Trump administration’s months-long campaign, and brings the toll to at least 145 fatalities.

Spain to send humanitarian aid to Cuba through UN amid US fuel blockade

Trump has vowed to cut off oil and fuel to Cuba following the US military operation last month in Venezuela, Cuba’s main supplier of oil.

US forces board another tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean

The Veronica III, which sails under the Panamanian flag, is subject to US sanctions related to Iran, the US says.

3 dead in latest US strike on suspected drug vessel in Caribbean

The attack raises the death toll from the Trump administration’s strikes on ‘narcoterrorists’ in the Caribbean and Pacific to 133.

Trump says change of power in Iran would be ‘best thing’

The US president’s comments are his most overt reference yet to regime change, as he pushes Tehran to make a nuclear deal.

Trump hails US ‘discombobulator’ weapon as he meets Maduro op troops

The US president made his first public comments on a device that he boasted could block Russian and Chinese defence systems.

US allows oil majors to resume Venezuela operations

The authorisation does not allow transactions ‌with companies in Russia, Iran or China.

From sanctioned to ‘legitimate’: how China bought Venezuelan oil from the US

After Nicoals Maduro’s January seizure, Washington is selling seized oil globally, with China a key buyer, says Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

US military laser tech and cartel drones stir airspace confusion in Texas

El Paso flights resume after conflicting reports of Mexican cartel drone incursions and uncoordinated Pentagon laser testing.

China vows to ‘do what it can’ as US blockade leaves Cuba with just weeks of oil

Beijing pledges continued support for Cuba and champions Havana’s sovereignty as the island grapples with worsening fuel shortages.

Cuba warns airlines it’s almost out of fuel as US blockade tightens chokehold

Air Canada suspends Cuba flights as Havana warns it can no longer guarantee refuelling for international carriers.

‘Tracked and hunted’: US forces board tanker in Indian Ocean

US military intercepts the US-sanctioned Aquila II after a transoceanic chase from the Caribbean.

Venezuela’s Machado says ally ‘kidnapped’ after prison release

Juan Pablo Guanipa was ‘violently’ taken away, hours after his release from prison, opposition leader says.

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

Editorial | Xi’s same-day calls with Trump and Putin showcase head-of-state diplomacy

At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the extraordinary back-to-back conversations with the leaders of Russia and the US highlight Xi’s diplomatic approach.

Opinion | Why the new US-India trade agreement is a big deal

The warming of New Delhi’s ties with Washington has implications for Russia, China and the global dynamics of trade and geopolitical power.

China keeps Cuba and Uruguay in the fold, puts Panama out in the cold

Beijing promises more aid to struggling Havana and cooperation with Montevideo as Washington looks to extend its reach in Latin America.

US pledges food aid for Cuba while putting squeeze on fuel supply

Havana signals a cautious readiness for talks as the island’s leader accuses the US of imposing an ‘energy blockade’.

The View | Venezuela and Panama aren’t the whole story of China in Latin America

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era