China-Venezuela oil trade

B-52 Flights Near Venezuela: Posturing, Distraction, and War Concerns

Three US B-52H Stratofortress bombers were tracked flying near Venezuelan airspace, departing from Louisiana and circling the Caribbean Sea. This mission is likely a display of military power amid increased pressure from the Trump administration on Venezuela, including actions against drug trafficking. The deployment follows warnings from Venezuela about potential US military action, and it comes after a US strike on a suspected drug-running vessel. While officials have not clarified the specific purpose of the bomber mission, analysts suggest it could be a “show of force” related to the ongoing campaign against cartels.

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Trump Confirms CIA Covert Ops in Venezuela: Outing the Secret

President Donald Trump has confirmed he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations within Venezuela, citing concerns over drug trafficking and the release of prisoners into the U.S. This acknowledgment follows recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean against alleged drug smuggling boats, some originating from Venezuela. The administration is also considering potential land operations and has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants. This has drawn criticism, with Venezuela condemning the actions and some U.S. lawmakers raising concerns about the administration’s escalation without Congressional authorization.

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Trump Admits Authorizing CIA Action in Venezuela, Sparks Controversy

President Trump has confirmed authorization for the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, citing concerns over drug trafficking and the release of Venezuelan prisoners into the United States. This admission, unusually candid for a US leader, follows reports of US strikes on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean, drawing criticism from UN-appointed human rights experts. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose legitimacy is disputed, has appealed for peace and condemned CIA-orchestrated coups. The exact nature and objectives of the CIA’s operations remain unclear, fueling fears in Caracas of potential US intervention.

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Trump Confirms CIA Action in Venezuela, Cites Prisons and Drugs

President Trump publicly acknowledged authorizing the CIA to take action in Venezuela, citing concerns about prisoners being released into the U.S. and drug trafficking. The president’s comments followed reports of the administration authorizing covert, lethal action in the country. Trump also stated that U.S. military strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean, an option also being considered on land, had saved American lives, despite experts’ claims that fentanyl is not primarily transported by boat. The administration has offered different explanations for these actions, portraying them as a means to combat drug cartels, while also applying pressure on the Venezuelan regime.

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US B-52 Bombers Fly Near Venezuela Amidst Rising Tensions

Two U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers were observed flying within the Maiquetía Flight Information Region near Venezuela, prompting speculation about a show of force amidst rising tensions. The aircraft, visible on flight-tracking sites, repeatedly circled within the Venezuelan-controlled airspace, with the flight coinciding with a diverted deportation flight and following former President Trump’s remarks about a U.S. strike. While these flights are common training missions, this particular patrol’s proximity to Venezuela and public visibility suggests a deliberate message of U.S. reach and readiness. The B-52, a long-range strategic bomber, is capable of carrying a massive payload of weapons, and can fly over 8,000 miles, without refueling.

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US Strikes Venezuela Vessel, Killing Six: Accusations of Murder and War Crimes

In a recent Truth Social post, Donald Trump shared an aerial video of a vessel being struck by a missile, claiming it was involved in drug trafficking and associated with “narcoterrorist networks.” The post followed a leaked memo indicating the US was in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels and the deployment of warships to the Caribbean. This action is framed as self-defense, though it raises questions of legality and is believed by some to be part of a broader political strategy targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who the US has offered a reward for information leading to his arrest. Venezuela’s government has reacted with anger, denying American accusations of drug involvement, while questioning the authenticity of Trump’s video.

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Maduro Accuses Trump of Child “Kidnapping”: A Cycle of Accusations

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has accused the Trump administration of “kidnapping” 78 Venezuelan children, alleging they were separated from their parents and remain in U.S. custody after deportations. Cabello presented photographs of the children in U.S. “immigrant detention centers” and framed their detentions as evidence of hypocrisy in U.S. migration policy. These accusations come amid rising tensions and the reestablishment of limited cooperation on deportation flights between Caracas and Washington, which has resulted in over 12,000 Venezuelans being deported since January. Cabello has criticized the U.S. for separating families while simultaneously promoting false aspirations through “media campaigns.”

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María Corina Machado’s Nobel: A Controversial Choice and Political Implications

The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her efforts to restore democracy and promote human rights in Venezuela. Machado, a key figure in unifying the opposition against President Nicolás Maduro, was recognized for her commitment to free elections and representative government. Despite being barred from the 2024 election and facing accusations from the Maduro regime, Machado’s work with election-monitoring organizations and her steadfast support for a peaceful transition to democracy led to the Nobel Prize. The White House Communications Director responded to Machado winning the prize by criticizing the selection.

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Machado Dedicates Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, Sparking Controversy

Venezuela’s opposition leader Machado dedicates Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, and the immediate reaction is a mix of bewilderment, amusement, and outright condemnation. It’s a head-scratcher, no doubt. Here we have Maria Corina Machado, a prominent figure in Venezuela’s opposition, winning the coveted Nobel Peace Prize, and what does she do? She dedicates it to Donald Trump. That’s a curveball, to say the least.

Machado’s move is viewed by many as a calculated political maneuver, a way to leverage Trump’s ego for her own benefit. She sees the United States, particularly under a potential Trump administration, as posturing to oust the current Venezuelan regime, and she’s positioning herself to be the beneficiary of that shift.… Continue reading