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  • Police take precautionary action after US military strike in Venezuela

    Police take precautionary action after US military strike in Venezuela

    In response to escalating regional tensions following the US military intervention in Venezuela, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has implemented comprehensive security protocols to ensure national stability. The operation resulted in the apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores during early morning operations on January 3.

    Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro confirmed through an official press release that law enforcement agencies are maintaining vigilant surveillance of developing situations. The TTPS has activated strategic operational measures designed to anticipate potential risks while maintaining public confidence during this period of geopolitical uncertainty.

    Visible security enhancements include the cordoning of critical infrastructure areas in Port of Spain. Metal barricades now restrict access to the Police Administration Building at the intersection of Sackville and Edward Streets, demonstrating the force’s proactive approach to organizational readiness.

    Police authorities emphasize that these measures represent precautionary steps rather than emergency responses. The implemented protocols aim to ensure service continuity and operational stability should regional developments directly impact Trinidad and Tobago.

    Commissioner Guevarro reiterated the importance of public cooperation, stating: ‘Citizen vigilance coupled with responsible information sharing constitutes a fundamental component of national resilience.’ The public is encouraged to maintain calm, monitor official communication channels, and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies promptly.

  • Gauff saves US at United Cup, Wawrinka starts farewell season with win

    Gauff saves US at United Cup, Wawrinka starts farewell season with win

    PERTH, Australia — The United States team, led by a dominant Coco Gauff, mounted a comeback to defeat Argentina 2-1 in their opening United Cup tie on Saturday. The defending champions found themselves in an early deficit after Argentina’s Sebastian Baez delivered a stunning upset over world No. 6 Taylor Fritz with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory, despite the American’s powerful serve producing 23 aces.

    Gauff responded with an emphatic 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Solana Sierra, demonstrating the form that has made her one of tennis’s most promising stars. The match culminated in a mixed doubles decider where Gauff partnered with Christian Harrison to secure the tie against Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi 6-4, 6-1.

    In parallel action, Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka embarked on what he has indicated will be his final professional season with a dramatic three-set victory over France’s Arthur Rinderknech. The 40-year-old, three-time Grand Slam champion battled for nearly three and a half hours to prevail 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), giving Switzerland an unassailable 2-0 lead. Teammate Belinda Bencic had earlier set the tone with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 win over Leolia Jeanjean, with the Swiss team completing a clean sweep by taking the mixed doubles for a 3-0 final scoreline.

    Other notable results saw China’s Zhang Zhizhen lead his team to a 2-1 victory over Belgium in Sydney, while Norway’s Casper Ruud delivered a commanding 6-3, 6-3 performance against Australian number one Alex de Minaur. The Australian team nonetheless secured a 2-1 win overall, thanks to substitute Storm Hunter’s 6-2, 7-6(3) victory over Malene Helgo and a subsequent doubles win with partner John-Patrick Smith.

    The United Cup, featuring 18 nations competing across Perth and Sydney, serves as a premier mixed-team event building momentum toward the Australian Open later this month.

  • Joy and despair as Venezuelans react to Maduro’s capture

    Joy and despair as Venezuelans react to Maduro’s capture

    A dramatic U.S. military operation culminating in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has triggered a seismic shift in international relations, provoking starkly contrasting reactions worldwide. The operation, which President Donald Trump characterized as resembling a “television show,” involved large-scale strikes on Caracas and other Venezuelan cities before Maduro and his wife were taken into custody to face federal charges in New York.

    The Venezuelan government issued a swift condemnation, labeling the intervention an “extremely serious military aggression” and declaring a nationwide state of emergency. This development represents the explosive climax of a protracted geopolitical standoff between the Trump administration and the Maduro regime.

    Internationally, responses have fractured along ideological lines. Within Venezuela, armed supporters of the deposed leader mobilized near the Miraflores presidential palace, brandishing portraits of Maduro and revolutionary symbols while decrying what they termed an illegal kidnapping. Simultaneously, Venezuelan diaspora communities from Madrid to Santiago erupted in spontaneous celebration, waving national flags and expressing hope for political change in their homeland.

    The capture has ignited complex questions regarding sovereignty, international law, and the future of Venezuelan governance. While opposition factions welcomed the intervention as a necessary measure against authoritarian rule, loyalists vowed to continue their resistance, framing the event as an imperialist violation of their nation’s self-determination.

  • Trump says US ‘will run’ Venezuela until ‘safe’ transition; opens doors to American oil firms

    Trump says US ‘will run’ Venezuela until ‘safe’ transition; opens doors to American oil firms

    PALM BEACH, United States — In a landmark announcement, President Donald Trump declared the United States would assume administrative control of Venezuela pending a political transition, following a successful military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power. The unprecedented statement came during a press conference where Trump outlined sweeping changes to Venezuela’s governance and economic structure.

    Trump confirmed US forces remain prepared to execute “much bigger” additional military strikes if required to maintain stability. The President simultaneously unveiled plans for American petroleum corporations to immediately enter Venezuela and develop its substantial crude oil reserves, describing the nation’s energy infrastructure as “badly broken” and requiring billions in investment.

    “Our premier US oil companies—the world’s largest—will invest substantially to rehabilitate Venezuela’s crippled oil infrastructure and generate national revenue,” Trump stated, while emphasizing that the comprehensive oil embargo against Venezuela remains rigorously enforced.

    The administration’s strategy included recent seizures of multiple oil tankers violating US sanctions as part of a sustained military pressure campaign preceding Maduro’s removal. Trump issued stern warnings to remaining Venezuelan political and military figures, indicating they could face similar consequences to Maduro if they oppose the transition.

    Venezuela’s oil industry, producing approximately one million barrels daily, has operated under US sanctions since 2019, forcing most sales onto black markets at significantly reduced prices. The Trump administration alleges Caracas has utilized oil revenues to fund international criminal activities including narcoterrorism, human trafficking, and organized violence.

  • Venezuela denounces US attack, seeks info on Maduro

    Venezuela denounces US attack, seeks info on Maduro

    Venezuela has entered a severe constitutional crisis following what government officials describe as a direct military assault by United States forces on January 3rd. The operation reportedly resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores from a fortified residence within Caracas’ main military garrison, Fort Tiuna.

    In an urgent televised address, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez declared the administration has lost all contact with the captured leaders and formally demanded that Washington provide ‘immediate proof of life’ while revealing their current whereabouts. The government statement characterized the incident as an ‘extremely serious military aggression’ targeting both civilian and military locations, resulting in casualties.

    Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López confirmed aerial strikes hit populated areas and stated authorities are currently compiling casualty figures. He vowed the nation would ‘resist any foreign military presence,’ framing the operation as an imperialist resource grab aimed at seizing Venezuela’s vast oil and mineral reserves and breaking the country’s political sovereignty.

    Simultaneously, US Attorney General Pam Bondi unveiled a comprehensive indictment from the Southern District of New York, charging Maduro and Flores with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and other related crimes. Bondi released the previously sealed indictment on social media, labeling the couple ‘alleged international narco traffickers’ who would face the ‘full wrath of American justice.’

    According to operational reports, the captured leaders were transported via US military helicopter to an awaiting naval vessel following their extraction from the military base. The event marks an unprecedented escalation in the long-standing tensions between the two nations, raising immediate concerns about regional stability and international law.

  • Guyana on alert after US attack on Venezuela

    Guyana on alert after US attack on Venezuela

    In the wake of a significant US military intervention in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, Guyana has initiated comprehensive security measures along its border regions. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali convened an emergency meeting with the Defence Board and national security leadership on January 3rd to address the escalating situation.

    The presidential office confirmed through official social media channels that Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips has been deployed to Region One, where he is currently coordinating with Guyana Defence Force personnel and police units stationed in border communities. This strategic movement aims to reinforce security preparedness amid the evolving crisis in neighboring Venezuela.

    The longstanding territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region has added complexity to the current geopolitical landscape. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has expressed grave concerns regarding the military actions, noting potential implications for regional stability during an emergency meeting of heads of government.

    Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has openly endorsed US military activities in the Southern Caribbean, distinguishing her position from other CARICOM leaders who advocate for maintaining the region as a zone of peace. Persad-Bissessar emphasized Trinidad and Tobago’s non-participation in the operations while maintaining peaceful relations with Venezuela, asserting that US protection remains essential for national security against external threats.

  • Trump posts photo of handcuffed, blindfolded Maduro

    Trump posts photo of handcuffed, blindfolded Maduro

    WEST PALM BEACH, United States — In a dramatic escalation of tensions, former US President Donald Trump utilized his Truth Social platform to disseminate an image depicting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in captivity aboard a US naval vessel. The photograph, released on Saturday, portrays the Latin American leader blindfolded, handcuffed, and outfitted with apparent noise-cancelling ear protection, alongside grey Nike-branded athletic wear.

    This visual confirmation followed Trump’s earlier announcement revealing that US forces had successfully executed a ‘large scale strike’ operation within Venezuela, resulting in Maduro’s capture and subsequent transport to the USS Iwo Jima. The operation represents the culmination of an extensive campaign employing both military and economic pressure tactics against Maduro’s government and its oil-dependent economy.

    The capture occurred merely forty-eight hours after Maduro had extended an overture to the Trump administration, proposing bilateral cooperation on critical issues including narcotics trafficking containment and illegal migration mitigation. This strategic military action underscores the severe deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two nations and marks an unprecedented intervention in South American political affairs.

  • Aston Villa beat Forest to ease pain of Arsenal rout

    Aston Villa beat Forest to ease pain of Arsenal rout

    BIRMINGHAM — Demonstrating formidable resilience, Aston Villa decisively defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1 in a Premier League clash at Villa Park on Saturday. The commanding performance served as a powerful response to their midweek 4-1 defeat by Arsenal, propelling Unai Emery’s squad into second place in the league standings, surpassing Manchester City.

    The match unfolded as a tale of two halves. After a first period dominated by possession but lacking a clinical finish, Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock on the cusp of halftime. The in-form English striker received a delivery from Morgan Rogers outside the area and unleashed a powerful strike for his fourth goal in three consecutive games.

    Captain John McGinn extended Villa’s advantage early in the second half, expertly side-footing a cross from Matty Cash into the net. Despite a momentary resurgence from the visitors—marked by a superb chipped finish from Morgan Gibbs-White in the 61st minute—Forest’s hopes were extinguished by a catastrophic goalkeeping error. Forest’s John Victor inexplicably abandoned his goal to challenge a long ball, allowing McGinn to calmly collect possession and slot into the empty net from distance.

    The victory reinforces Villa Park’s status as a Premier League fortress, with the club now boasting 11 consecutive home wins since August. Manager Unai Emery revealed post-match that the team held a reflective meeting following their Arsenal defeat, focusing on rebuilding confidence and maintaining collective strength. The result leaves Villa on 42 points, just three behind league leaders Arsenal, who play later on Saturday.

    For Nottingham Forest, the defeat marks a fourth consecutive league loss, leaving them hovering just four points above the relegation zone. Manager Sean Dyche acknowledged the mental challenges facing his squad, emphasizing the difficulty of consistently recovering from self-inflicted setbacks.

  • US aviation regulator shuts Caribbean airspace amid Venezuela action

    US aviation regulator shuts Caribbean airspace amid Venezuela action

    The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a significant airspace advisory on Saturday, directing commercial carriers to avoid portions of Caribbean airspace. The directive cited an ongoing ‘potentially hazardous situation’ linked to U.S. military operations, which culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

    The aviation alert specifically warned of ‘safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity,’ effectively creating a no-fly zone for commercial aviation in the specified region. This precautionary measure underscores the scale and sensitivity of the military action undertaken.

    U.S. President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the successful capture of the Venezuelan leader, describing it as the result of a ‘large-scale strike’ conducted on Venezuelan territory. This decisive military intervention represents a dramatic escalation in a prolonged campaign of pressure against Maduro’s government.

    The operation follows an extensive period where the U.S. applied intensifying economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation tactics targeting Maduro’s socialist regime and its oil-dependent economy. Notably, this military action occurred just 48 hours after Maduro had extended an overture to the Trump administration, proposing bilateral cooperation on critical issues such as narcotics trafficking and illegal migration control.

  • France condemns US operation to capture Maduro; Russia ‘strongly urges’ release

    France condemns US operation to capture Maduro; Russia ‘strongly urges’ release

    PARIS, France — The French government issued a stern condemnation on Saturday regarding the United States-led military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, denouncing it as a violation of fundamental international legal principles. Concurrently, Russia demanded the immediate release of the detained Venezuelan leader and his wife.

    French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot articulated the nation’s position through a formal statement on social media platform X, acknowledging Maduro’s record of human rights violations against Venezuelan citizens while simultaneously condemning the American intervention. Minister Barrot emphasized that the operation “contravenes the principle of non-use of force, which serves as a cornerstone of international law.”

    The French diplomatic statement further cautioned that escalating violations of this fundamental principle by permanent members of the United Nations Security Council would inevitably yield “serious consequences for global security, sparing no nation.” Barrot underscored that sustainable political resolutions cannot be externally imposed, reflecting France’s commitment to diplomatic norms and multilateral governance structures.

    Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued multiple statements expressing profound alarm over the development, characterizing the American operation as “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela.” Russian officials dismissed Washington’s justifications for the intervention as “untenable,” asserting that “ideological hostility has triumphed over businesslike pragmatism” in American foreign policy decision-making.

    The Kremlin demanded immediate clarification regarding the circumstances surrounding Maduro’s apprehension and called for the unconditional release of both the Venezuelan president and his spouse. Russia, which had reaffirmed its support for Maduro following his controversial re-election in 2024 and remains Venezuela’s principal strategic ally in South America, stopped short of explicitly committing military assistance to Caracas in potential confrontations with the United States.

    The coordinated responses from both European and Russian diplomatic channels highlight growing international concern over unilateral military actions and their implications for global security architecture. The developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing Venezuelan political crisis that has drawn in major world powers with competing geopolitical interests.