Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has warned that he would declare a republic in arms if the U.S. were to attack the country, in response to the U.S. deploying warships and thousands of personnel to the Caribbean, ostensibly to target drug cartels. Maduro has mobilized troops along the coast and border, and has called on citizens to join civilian militias, amidst the rising tensions. The U.S. has not recognized Maduro as president since 2019 and Venezuela accuses the U.S. of attempting regime change. Both the Mexican and Colombian presidents have expressed opposition to the U.S. military moves.
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In a recent address, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez issued a stern warning to the United States regarding its naval presence in the Caribbean, accusing the US of hostile actions. Rodriguez directly ordered Washington to refrain from interfering with Venezuelan territory and coasts, emphasizing Venezuela’s readiness to defend itself. She refuted US claims of Venezuela being a “narco-terrorist state,” labeling these accusations as a significant fabrication against the nation and its leaders. Rodriguez declared that any attempt to attack Venezuela would result in a severe and undesirable outcome for the United States.
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The United States is deploying three Aegis guided-missile destroyers to waters off Venezuela to support counter-narcotics efforts. These vessels, including the USS Gravely, the USS Jason Dunham, and the USS Sampson, are expected to arrive soon and will be deployed for several months. This deployment is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to combat drug cartels, which it blames for the influx of illicit drugs into the U.S. and for violence in some U.S. cities. The Venezuelan government, while denying U.S. accusations, has responded with the Venezuelan president announcing the planned deployment of more than 4.5 million militia members around the country.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded to increased US military presence and a doubled reward for his arrest by deploying 4.5 million militiamen across the country, vowing to defend Venezuelan soil. This move came after reports of US naval movements in the region, though a US Department of Defense official later clarified that no ships were in the area. Maduro’s actions are a response to accusations of drug trafficking by the United States, which has not had diplomatic relations with Venezuela since 2019 and has designated Maduro as a threat to US national security. The Venezuelan government rejects these accusations, labeling them as threats and defamation.
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The Trump administration significantly increased the reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, alleging his involvement in narco-trafficking and collaboration with cartels to flood the US with drugs. Maduro was indicted in 2020 on federal charges, and the US previously offered rewards for his capture. Despite the US’s efforts and the condemnation of his 2024 reelection, Maduro remains in power. Following this announcement, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister criticized the move as propaganda.
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The U.S. government, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, doubling the previous amount. Maduro is accused of aiding drug cartels and operating a corrupt regime, with the U.S. alleging his involvement in narco-terrorism through alliances with organizations like Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de Los Soles. Maduro was previously indicted on charges related to narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, and possession of weapons. The government has also seized significant assets linked to Maduro, including jets and vehicles, highlighting the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing efforts to hold him accountable.
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Venezuelan makeup artist returns home, after spending four months in El Salvador’s CECOT prison, where he, along with other detainees, claims to have endured brutal treatment. The details that have emerged paint a grim picture of life inside the facility, including allegations of beatings, rubber projectile attacks, solitary confinement in dark cells, and the provision of spoiled food. Andry Hernandez, the makeup artist at the heart of this story, is now back in Venezuela, finally reunited with his loved ones after the ordeal. He, along with other detainees, was part of a prisoner exchange that saw them return to their home country last Friday.… Continue reading
A declassified intelligence memo confirms that U.S. intelligence agencies contradicted President Trump’s claim linking Venezuelan President Maduro to the criminal gang Tren de Aragua, a claim used to justify deporting Venezuelan migrants to a Salvadoran prison. The memo revealed that while Venezuela’s environment enables the gang’s operations, there’s no evidence of direct Maduro control or policy of cooperation. This contradicts Trump’s assertion, prompting a Justice Department investigation into the leak of allegedly inaccurate information. The memo’s release highlights the discrepancy between the administration’s justification and intelligence findings, underscoring the importance of transparency in government actions.
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A Maryland federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return a 20-year-old Venezuelan man wrongly deported to El Salvador, citing a breach of a 2024 settlement agreement protecting unaccompanied minors. This marks the second such order concerning deportations to El Salvador, following a similar case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The administration argued the deportation was justified under the Alien Enemies Act, but the judge disagreed, deeming the matter a contractual dispute. The ruling also protects another Venezuelan man, Javier, from imminent deportation under the same agreement.
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El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele proposed a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, offering to repatriate 252 Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration in exchange for the release of an equal number of Venezuelan political prisoners. Venezuela’s attorney general vehemently rejected the offer, accusing Bukele of human rights abuses and calling him a “tyrannical” human trafficker. This proposal has ignited a heated debate, with some Venezuelan opposition figures supporting the exchange while others express concern over the migrants’ plight and the exploitation of their situation for political gain. The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, leaving the deported Venezuelans caught in the crossfire between authoritarian regimes and their own country’s divided opposition.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood