Nicolás Maduro

Venezuela formally exits ICC amid accusations of political bias

Caracas announced its “irrevocable” withdrawal from the ICC, claiming the court has been politicized and unfairly targets countries in the Global South.

|ByREUTERS
Exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is escorted to face US federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering and others, at Downtown Manhattan Heliport, in New York City, US, January 5, 2026

Maduro, US prosecutors propose June 2027 start for drug trafficking trial

Lawyers for Nicolas Maduro and US prosecutors proposed starting his drug trafficking trial in June 2027, though a federal judge must approve the schedule.

|ByREUTERS
Jay Clayton, US President Donald Trump's nominee to be Director of National Intelligence, testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Trump spy nominee Jay Clayton faces tense hearing after refusing to say Joe Biden won in 2020

Clayton said only that Biden had been "certified" as president, while also insisting, "I am not an election denier."

|ByREUTERS
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a trilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (not pictured) on the sidelines of the NATO leaders' summit, in Ankara, Turkey, July 7, 2026.

‘Viceroy’ of Venezuela: Rubio runs Caracas with total deference from interim president - report

Marco Rubio has been running Venezuela's finances, government, and natural resources without stepping foot in the country, dozens of sources told the NYT.

|ByCORINNE BAUM

Trump threatens tariffs on any nation supplying Cuba with oil

US President Donald Trump announces potential tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba, ramping up pressure on the island’s leadership.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByREUTERS
An illustration of the flags of Cuba and the US, with a rift in between.

Trump eases Venezuela oil sanctions to boost US investment

The Trump administration eases some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector, allowing US companies to invest, but excludes firms from China, Russia, and other rivals.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByREUTERS
An illustration of oil rigs over a background of a Venezuelan flag.

US handing over seized tanker to Venezuela, officials say

The US hands back the Panama‑flagged M/T Sophia to Venezuela, marking the first reversal of such a seizure under the Trump administration.

JANUARY 29, 2026ByREUTERS
The Guinea-flagged oil tanker MT Bandra, which is under sanctions, is partially seen alongside another vessel at El Palito terminal, near Puerto Cabello, Venezuela December 29, 2025; illustrative.

How media decides which deaths count and which events matter - analysis

How psychological warfare is waged not by lies but by deciding which events are allowed to matter.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByPAULA SLIER
View of an illustration depicting captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in downtown Caracas.

As US forces build up, Trump weighs limited strikes to shake Iran’s regime - analysis

One of the challenges facing President Trump in deciding how to strike is the fact that protests have significantly diminished after weeks of murders by the regime inside Iran.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the Strait of Hormuz as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Nightdippers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 lifts off from the flight deck November 19, 2019.

Trump’s first year back in office expanded Israel’s freedom of action - opinion

Beyond Iran and Gaza, US President Donald Trump quietly expanded Israel’s strategic and legal room for maneuver.

JANUARY 25, 2026ByZAKI SHALOM
US President Donald Trump looks on after signing executive orders inside the Capital One Arena on the inauguration day of his second presidential term, in Washington, January 20, 2025.

US seeks to end Cuba’s communist rule by year’s end - WSJ report

The US government is reportedly working behind the scenes to end Cuba's communist rule by the end of 2026.

JANUARY 24, 2026BySHOSHANA BAKER
A man ties a Cuban flag on the roof of the University of Havana.

Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez assured US of cooperation before Maduro’s capture - report

According to The Guardian, Rodriguez began speaking with US officials in the fall of 2025 after Trump demanded Maduro leave Venezuela in a call in late November, which he refused to do. 

JANUARY 23, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez presents the government's 2026 budget proposal to the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to approve spending of some $19.9 billion, in Caracas, Venezuela December 4, 2025.

Trump, Venezuela's Rodriguez tout positive phone call, Trump finds Senate win

Both leaders described the call as positive. In the US, the Senate blocked a resolution that would have barred Trump from further military action in Venezuela without Congress's authorization.

JANUARY 15, 2026ByREUTERS
US President Donald Trump speaks at the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, Michigan, US, January 13, 2026.

From Caracas to Jerusalem: A strategic lesson for Israel post-US action in Venezuela- opinion

China’s extensive financial and energy ties with Caracas – built over decades through loans, oil deals, and infrastructure agreements – are now jeopardized

JANUARY 14, 2026ByODED GOUR-LAVIE
Chess made from USA and China flags on a map of Venezuela