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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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A mechanic fixes a car on the street in Havana, as Cubans hunker into survival mode. Photo: Reuters

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Americas and the Caribbean

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Interim president Delcy Rodriguez says the proposed law will hopefully ‘heal the wounds’ and restore peace among Venezuelans.

31 Jan 2026 - 9:05AM

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How will China respond as US expands foreign ship seizures?

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US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela approves oil industry overhaul as US eases some sanctions

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30 Jan 2026 - 3:29PM

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez holds up a copy of the new law. Photo: AP

US-Venezuela conflict

Trump says he’s reopening Venezuelan airspace and Americans can visit soon

Even as the president suggested US citizens would be safe in Venezuela, the State Department kept in place its highest-level travel advisory.

30 Jan 2026 - 5:21AMvideocam

A passenger stands with his luggage at an airport near San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 3 after airspace was closed due to US strikes on Venezuela. Photo: Reuters

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China-Latin America relations

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

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US-Venezuela conflict

US’ Rubio says China profited from Venezuela’s collapse through cut-price oil

US secretary tells senators Beijing received discounted crude via opaque debt deals, saying Maduro’s removal was key to curbing influence.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appears before the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a test firing of a rocket launcher system on Tuesday. Photo: KCNA via KNS/AFP

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Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing next month. Photo: EPA

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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.

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What Chinese navy’s first Uruguay port call reveals about Beijing’s ambitions

Western hemisphere port call by Silk Road Ark comes just weeks after US ousted Venezuelan leader.

25 Jan 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

The PLA Navy hospital ship Silk Road Ark is welcomed to Montevideo, Uruguay, on January 20. Photo: Xinhua

United States

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25 Jan 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

A sign reading “Greenland is not for sale!” is seen in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 20. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS

US-Venezuela conflict

Trump says US used secret ‘discombobulator’ weapon in Maduro raid

He said the device made enemy equipment ‘not work’, and the Venezuelan forces were unable to use their ‘Russian and Chinese rockets’.

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United States

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US President Donald Trump (right) greets leaders as he arrives for a Board of Peace charter announcement at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22. Photo: AP

Asean

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US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan on October 30, 2025. Photo: TNS

US-Venezuela conflict

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The attack left one survivor, and the coastguard has been notified to launch search and rescue operations.

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Venezuela

Friend or foe? Leaked Vietnamese military document labels US ‘belligerent’

While noting that ‘there is little risk of a war’, document urges vigilance to prevent the US from finding a pretext to invade Vietnam.

Trump and Colombia’s Petro appear to bury hatchet after months of tensions

1 month after Maduro abduction, Venezuela assures China investments are safe

Cuba confirms ‘communications’ with US as Trump moves to block oil

Reeling from blackouts and the loss of its Venezuelan patron, Havana confirms communications with the US but says no formal negotiations yet.

Trump lifts Russia-related oil tariffs on India under new trade deal

Under the pact, India’s tariffs have been reduced from 50 per cent to 18 per cent.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo

American unpredictability is pushing countries to hedge more proactively – and, ironically, soften existing tensions with China.

Kim Jong-un set to signal stronger nuclear deterrence posture at congress

After viewing a test of a multiple rocket launcher system, Kim is likely to unveil ICBM plans capable of hitting the US, analysts say.

Venezuela proposes to free hundreds of prisoners, close ‘torture’ prison

Interim president Delcy Rodriguez says the proposed law will hopefully ‘heal the wounds’ and restore peace among Venezuelans.

How will China respond as US expands foreign ship seizures?

The question is whether high-seas US actions will alarm Beijing into deploying naval safeguards or prompt similar moves in Taiwan Strait.

Venezuela approves oil industry overhaul as US eases some sanctions

Venezuela’s reform will enable additional foreign investment in the energy sector, a move expected to benefit the United States in particular.

Trump says he’s reopening Venezuelan airspace and Americans can visit soon

Even as the president suggested US citizens would be safe in Venezuela, the State Department kept in place its highest-level travel advisory.

Opinion | Trump’s power politics is paving the way to a G2 world order with China

Trump’s actions signal an openness to G2, give China leverage with US allies and open the door for other powers to use coercive force.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

US’ Rubio says China profited from Venezuela’s collapse through cut-price oil

US secretary tells senators Beijing received discounted crude via opaque debt deals, saying Maduro’s removal was key to curbing influence.

North Korean ex-envoy on Kim Jong-un’s ‘decapitation’ fears after Maduro’s fall

Kim will ‘overhaul the entire system regarding his security and countermeasures in case of an attack against him’, Lee Il-kyu says.

Trump sells tariffs as farmers’ win in Iowa, but many aren’t buying it

As US president courts rural voters before midterms, growers fear Beijing may retaliate against Trump policies by curbing purchases again.

China and Russia to bolster defence ties to counter risks

Call marks first ministerial-level exchange between Beijing and Moscow since US raid on Venezuela and Trump’s stronger words on Greenland.

Xi to meet Orsi in first Latin America-China visit since US capture of Maduro

State visit from February 1 to 7 aims to promote commercial ties with Beijing despite tension in region after US operation in Venezuela.

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

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.

What Chinese navy’s first Uruguay port call reveals about Beijing’s ambitions

Western hemisphere port call by Silk Road Ark comes just weeks after US ousted Venezuelan leader.

Opinion | US disregard of international law must not be tolerated

Principles such as sovereign equality and the peaceful resolution of disputes are the bedrock of international relations – and must be protected.

Trump says US used secret ‘discombobulator’ weapon in Maduro raid

He said the device made enemy equipment ‘not work’, and the Venezuelan forces were unable to use their ‘Russian and Chinese rockets’.

What about Taiwan? Why US foreign policy is now all about the western hemisphere

The State Department skips direct references to the island as it outlines it foreign policy direction for the next five years.

Macroscope | Distracted at Davos, leaders are ignoring one critical issue

More attention needs to be paid to the state of US and global finances.

Asian Angle | What a US-China ‘grand bargain’ would mean for Southeast Asia

Washington’s Venezuela raid has resurrected old fears about ‘spheres of influence’, sounding alarm bells for Southeast Asian autonomy.

US kills 2 in first known strike on alleged drug boat since Maduro’s capture

The attack left one survivor, and the coastguard has been notified to launch search and rescue operations.

Outside In | Why Trump’s Davos farce may come to be seen as a watershed

Whatever his motivations, he’s alarmed allies and made clear the old order based on a benign US is gone, even as his popularity slips at home.

Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez