Delcy Rodriguez, who took over as Venezuela's leader after the detention of Nicolas Maduro, was a "priority target" for the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Her name appeared in investigations into drug trafficking, money laundering, and gold smuggling.
Venezuela signed its first-ever liquefied petroleum gas export contract on January 16, 2026. This is part of a strategy to transform the country into one open to investment after the removal of Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has called for a review of the country's economic model. She advocated for opening the oil industry to foreign investment and normalizing relations with the United States.
The US has sold the first batch of Venezuelan oil for $500 million after the removal of Nicolas Maduro. The funds will be managed by the US President, and Caracas has been removed from decision-making regarding the exploitation of subsoil resources.
The U. S. Senate is preparing to vote on a resolution limiting President Trump's authority to take military action in Venezuela. Trump is pressuring Republicans who supported advancing the resolution.
US senators are proposing a bill that would prohibit the Pentagon and the State Department from using funds to occupy or annex NATO territories, including Greenland. This comes amid concerns over Donald Trump's interest in Greenland.
SpaceX has canceled Starlink subscription fees in Iran due to mass protests and internet blocking. Terminal owners now use satellite communications for free.
US President Donald Trump will meet with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado on January 15. This comes after Trump refused to support her following US military strikes on Caracas and Maduro's capture.
Mexican President Sheinbaum rejected Donald Trump's proposal for US military intervention to combat cartels. She emphasized Mexico's sovereignty and the unacceptability of interference in internal affairs.
The violation of state sovereignty and norms of international law, initiated by the annexation of Crimea in 2014, is becoming a dangerous global trend. International institutions, particularly the UN, are losing their ability to effectively prevent conflicts.
U. S. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency to protect Venezuelan oil revenues from seizure by private creditors. These funds are critical to U.S. national security and regional stability.
The US Embassy urgently called on citizens to leave Venezuela due to a Level 4 danger. The reason is the activation of armed groups "colectivos" who are setting up roadblocks and searching for Americans.
On January 10, 2026, a cargo plane belonging to Pallas Aviation, a company linked to the CIA, was spotted in Caracas. This occurred amidst the first official visit of US State Department representatives to Venezuela to assess the reopening of the embassy.
Venezuelan authorities have released 18 political prisoners, including an opposition coordinator, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez vows to "rescue" Maduro.
Donald Trump is increasingly disappointed with Vladimir Putin, considering him a greater obstacle to peace in Ukraine than Zelenskyy. The American leader has changed his position on the Russian dictator.
Delcy Rodriguez, appointed as interim president of Venezuela, announced the start of a diplomatic dialogue with the Donald Trump administration. This comes despite official condemnation of US actions, which Caracas calls the "illegal kidnapping" of Nicolas Maduro.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the United States is "gradually turning away" from some allies and "ignoring international rules. " He noted that multilateral institutions are functioning less effectively, and major powers are tempted to divide the world.
US airstrikes in Venezuela during the capture of Nicolas Maduro resulted in the deaths of over 100 people. The deceased were young people and had no connection to the "socialist revolution."
US Vice President J. D. Vance called the detained tanker Marinera (Bella 1) a "fake Russian oil tanker," and the country's Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that its crew faces criminal prosecution.
President Zelenskyy believes that the US has tools to pressure Russia, similar to the operation to capture Nicolas Maduro. He suggested conducting a similar operation against Ramzan Kadyrov so that Putin would consider ending the war.
Former Donald Trump adviser Fiona Hill stated that the Kremlin offered the White House "a free hand" in Venezuela in exchange for the US "turning a blind eye" to events in Ukraine.
A wave of repression began in Venezuela after the US arrested Nicolás Maduro. Delcy Rodríguez, the country's new leader, is trying to consolidate her power.
A summit of Ukraine's allies is taking place in Paris, where EU leaders may prepare a joint statement on security guarantees. Progress is expected in defining the guarantees that allies can provide, as well as discussing a peace plan.
US President Donald Trump has stated his readiness to send troops to Venezuela if interim president Delcy Rodriguez stops cooperating with the US. He also noted that Rodriguez cooperated after a US military strike on the Venezuelan capital, which led to the capture of the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro.
The National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela reported the detention of 14 media representatives in Caracas while covering a march. 11 of them worked for international media, 3 for national publications.
Global oil prices fell on January 6, 2026, due to expectations of increased supply from Venezuela after the capture of Nicolas Maduro. Brent and WTI futures fell by 0.2% and 0.3% respectively.
The American president stated that new elections in Venezuela are not possible within 30 days, and the American presence will be long-term. He emphasized that the US is ready to financially stimulate oil companies to restore the country's energy infrastructure.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, only 33% of Americans approve of the US military strike on Venezuela that led to the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro. Most citizens express concern about the consequences of the intervention, although Trump's approval rating has risen to 42%.
Asian stock markets opened higher, with the MSCI index for global equities reaching an all-time high. This happened amid the capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces and rising oil prices and PDVSA default bonds.
The Mexican government rules out the possibility of unilateral US military action against drug cartels, despite threats from Donald Trump. President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the country's sovereignty, rejecting foreign intervention.
