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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-China relations

Opinion | A stark clash of world views will overshadow Trump’s visit to China

As Xi and Trump prepare to meet, the divergence between their visions of global order has never been more acute.

10 Apr 2026 - 10:29AMvideocam

US-China relations

How can Beijing prepare for Trump’s ‘drunken boxing’ style before he meets Xi?

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China exports

China strengthens oversight of state-owned assets overseas amid global tensions

9 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

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.

9 Apr 2026 - 12:59AMvideocam

Iranians wave national flags beneath a large billboard in Tehran’s Revolution Square on Wednesday, following the announcement that the United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Madness or bluster? Trump’s apocalyptic language raises key questions

A last-minute ceasefire halts threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation, but fuels questions about Trump’s negotiating style and mental state.

8 Apr 2026 - 2:47PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Peru set to choose from a bewildering array of 35 presidential hopefuls

Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori holds first place ⁠in the polls ⁠one week before Peru’s presidential election.

8 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

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.

7 Apr 2026 - 6:08PM

US President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping before a bilateral meeting at the Gimhae International Airport terminal in South Korea in October. Photo: Daniel Torok/White House/dpa

Gun violence in the US

Video sheds light on Minnesota ICE shooting after charges against men collapsed

Authorities initially accused 2 Venezuelan men of beating an ICE officer during a chase and scuffle in Minneapolis in January.

7 Apr 2026 - 5:53AMvideocam

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.

7 Apr 2026 - 12:08PM

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.

7 Apr 2026 - 2:20AMvideocam

My Take

My Take | Why Beijing is now the only true partner of Africa and Latin America

In contrast to friendly China, the United States has weaponised foreign aid on one continent and returned to gunboat diplomacy in the western hemisphere.

5 Apr 2026 - 11:05PM

A section of the Chinese-built Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo: Xinhua

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.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:30AM

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.

2 Apr 2026 - 1:13PM

US-China trade war

US lawmakers call for major crackdown on China’s alleged sanctioned oil imports

Bipartisan panel argues sanctions have concentrated discounted oil in Beijing's hands – charges the Chinese government denies.

2 Apr 2026 - 11:59AM

This aerial picture taken on October 1, 2025 off the coast of the western France port of Saint-Nazaire shows the tanker Boracay from one of Russia’s “shadow fleets”. 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.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

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.

31 Mar 2026 - 3:45AM

US-Iran tensions

Why Trump needs a short-term win in Iran before he visits Xi in China

A surge in US service members in the Middle East suggests the makings of a protracted and low-intensity conflict, analysts say.

30 Mar 2026 - 9:51PMvideocam

War and conflict

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.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:58PMvideocam

A street without power during a nationwide blackout in Havana on March 22, 2026. Photo: TNS

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.

30 Mar 2026 - 11:20AMvideocam

Nicolas Maduro

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.

28 Mar 2026 - 9:00AM

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.

27 Mar 2026 - 3:26AM

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with his wife, Cilia Flores, Flores’ lawyer, Mark Donnelly, and Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, attend a hearing in New York on Thursday. Courtroom sketch: Jane Rosenberg via Reuters

US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:09AMvideocam

The Philippines

Philippines working with US to obtain oil from US-sanctioned nations

This comes after the Southeast Asian nation, which relies heavily on imported fuel, declared a state of national emergency on Tuesday.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:59PMvideocam

US-China relations

US unlikely to get China to join new nuclear arms control agreement, experts say

Nuclear superpowers not taking active steps towards meaningful negotiation following the expiry of New Start arms treaty in February.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

North Korea

North Korea’s Kim slams US ‘state terror’ but spares Trump in third-term address

Mindful of the fate of Iran and Venezuela’s leaders, Kim Jong-un used his speech to cast nuclear weapons as a non-negotiable shield.

24 Mar 2026 - 3:39PMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a policy speech during the second and final day of the first session of the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang on Monday. Photo: KCNA/Yonhap/dpa

US-China relations

Trump-Xi summit will be very amicable, predicts former Biden official

Kurt Campbell expects to see both leaders being ‘extraordinarily polite and engaged’ during key rescheduled meeting despite Iran conflict.

1 Apr 2026 - 12:23AM

Donald Trump

Cuba says ready for potential US attack as it recovers from latest blackout

A top Cuban diplomat says regime change is off the table as the US pressures the island with a crippling oil blockade.

23 Mar 2026 - 8:22PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba rejects ‘shameless’ US request for diesel amid Trump oil blockade

The US embassy in Havana is seeking fuel for its generators even as the rest of the island is plagued by shortages and power outages.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:39AMvideocam

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Venezuela

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | A stark clash of world views will overshadow Trump’s visit to China

As Xi and Trump prepare to meet, the divergence between their visions of global order has never been more acute.

How can Beijing prepare for Trump’s ‘drunken boxing’ style before he meets Xi?

China strengthens oversight of state-owned assets overseas amid global tensions

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.

Madness or bluster? Trump’s apocalyptic language raises key questions

A last-minute ceasefire halts threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation, but fuels questions about Trump’s negotiating style and mental state.

Peru set to choose from a bewildering array of 35 presidential hopefuls

Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori holds first place ⁠in the polls ⁠one week before Peru’s presidential election.

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.

Video sheds light on Minnesota ICE shooting after charges against men collapsed

Authorities initially accused 2 Venezuelan men of beating an ICE officer during a chase and scuffle in Minneapolis in January.

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.

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.

My Take | Why Beijing is now the only true partner of Africa and Latin America

In contrast to friendly China, the United States has weaponised foreign aid on one continent and returned to gunboat diplomacy in the western hemisphere.

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 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.

US lawmakers call for major crackdown on China’s alleged sanctioned oil imports

Bipartisan panel argues sanctions have concentrated discounted oil in Beijing's hands – charges the Chinese government denies.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}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 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.

Why Trump needs a short-term win in Iran before he visits Xi in China

A surge in US service members in the Middle East suggests the makings of a protracted and low-intensity conflict, analysts say.

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.

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.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}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.

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.

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

Philippines working with US to obtain oil from US-sanctioned nations

This comes after the Southeast Asian nation, which relies heavily on imported fuel, declared a state of national emergency on Tuesday.

US unlikely to get China to join new nuclear arms control agreement, experts say

Nuclear superpowers not taking active steps towards meaningful negotiation following the expiry of New Start arms treaty in February.

North Korea’s Kim slams US ‘state terror’ but spares Trump in third-term address

Mindful of the fate of Iran and Venezuela’s leaders, Kim Jong-un used his speech to cast nuclear weapons as a non-negotiable shield.

Trump-Xi summit will be very amicable, predicts former Biden official

Kurt Campbell expects to see both leaders being ‘extraordinarily polite and engaged’ during key rescheduled meeting despite Iran conflict.

Cuba says ready for potential US attack as it recovers from latest blackout

A top Cuban diplomat says regime change is off the table as the US pressures the island with a crippling oil blockade.

Cuba rejects ‘shameless’ US request for diesel amid Trump oil blockade

The US embassy in Havana is seeking fuel for its generators even as the rest of the island is plagued by shortages and power outages.

Opinion | A stark clash of world views will overshadow Trump’s visit to China

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

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