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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

US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping when he travels to Beijing later this month, the first such visit by an American leader since his own trip in 2017. Photo: AP

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Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado greets a supporter in Washington. Photo: AFP

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

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The Bertha, a sanctioned oil tanker boarded by the US military in the Indian Ocean. Photo: US Department of Defence via X

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Relatives of detainees embrace outside a detention centre following the approval of Venezuela’s amnesty law. Photo: Reuters

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Peru’s new interim President Jose Maria Balcazar as he gives a speech. Photo: Peruvian Congress via AFP

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A mechanic repairs a flat tyre from a cycle rickshaw at his workshop in Havana as the fuel crisis in Cuba forces many workers to abandon petrol cars and turn to electric tricycles and bicycle taxis. Photo: AFP

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

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US President Donald Trump applauds as he looks at first lady Melania Trump during a visit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

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United States

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China’s support comes as Cuba faces a critical fuel shortage after the United States blocked shipments of Venezuelan oil. Photo: Reuters

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Venezuela

Will Iran attack derail Trump’s high-stakes China visit to meet Xi Jinping?

China has condemned killing of Iranian leader as a grave violation of sovereignty and called US incitement of regime change ‘unacceptable’.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Attack on Iran normalises global descent into the ‘law of the jungle’

Iran attack a ‘wake-up call’ for China on electronic warfare and intelligence

Opposition leader Machado will return to Venezuela in coming weeks

The Nobel Peace Prize winner prepares for a homecoming that the acting president warns will require her to ‘answer’ to the state.

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The US president gave mixed signals about whether the attack was coming, but his weekend Mar-a-Lago trip may have been the big giveaway.

Trump says US discussing ‘friendly takeover’ of Cuba: ‘they’re in big trouble’

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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

The authorities says shots were fired from the vessel as they approached to identify it.

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

In nearly two-hour State of the Union speech, American leader focuses on economic strength and global leadership ahead of midterm elections.

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.

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.

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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.

Opinion | Attack on Iran normalises global descent into the ‘law of the jungle’

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