Carib Scope

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  • 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.

  • China ‘strongly condemns’ US strikes on Venezuela

    China ‘strongly condemns’ US strikes on Venezuela

    BEIJING — The Chinese government issued a forceful condemnation on Saturday against United States military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. In an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China characterized the American actions as a flagrant violation of international legal standards and an infringement upon Venezuela’s national sovereignty.

    The statement expressed profound shock at what it termed ‘hegemonic behavior’ by the United States, warning that such military aggression threatens regional stability throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Chinese officials emphasized their firm opposition to unilateral military interventions against sovereign states, regardless of the circumstances.

    The development comes amid dramatic scenes in both Venezuela and abroad. In Caracas, supporters of President Maduro gathered in the streets following news of his capture by US forces. Simultaneously, Venezuelan expatriates in Madrid celebrated the military operation that targeted Maduro’s government.

    President Donald Trump confirmed on January 3, 2026, that American forces had successfully captured Maduro following extensive airstrikes on Caracas and other Venezuelan cities. This military action represents the culmination of a prolonged geopolitical confrontation between the Trump administration and the Venezuelan leadership.

    China’s statement reflects growing international concern over the precedent set by military intervention in sovereign nations and highlights the deepening diplomatic divisions between global powers regarding appropriate responses to political crises.

  • US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife

    US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife

    In an unprecedented military operation early Saturday, the United States executed a large-scale strike in Venezuela resulting in the capture and extraction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. President Donald Trump announced the mission via social media, confirming that the Venezuelan leader was apprehended at his residence within the Fort Tiuna military compound and transported via the U.S.S. Iwo Jima to face criminal prosecution in New York.

    The Justice Department unsealed a comprehensive indictment accusing Maduro of orchestrating a corrupt regime that systematically leveraged state power to facilitate international drug trafficking. The document alleges direct collaboration between Maduro’s government and violent narco-terrorist organizations to flood American markets with cocaine, enriching Venezuela’s political and military elite through criminal enterprise.

    International reaction was swift and critical. The United Nations expressed profound alarm, characterizing the intervention as a dangerous violation of international law that establishes a concerning precedent for sovereign nations. China’s Foreign Ministry issued a forceful condemnation, denouncing the operation as hegemonic aggression that violates Venezuela’s sovereignty and threatens regional stability.

    President Trump defended the operation during television appearances, acknowledging minor U.S. casualties and helicopter damage while celebrating the mission’s success. He dismissed congressional criticism about constitutional authorization, labeling Democratic opponents as ‘weak, stupid people’ while asserting the operation’s necessity. The administration simultaneously imposed temporary airspace restrictions over Puerto Rico due to security concerns stemming from the Venezuelan military activity.

    In subsequent remarks, Trump revealed previously undisclosed proposals to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum regarding U.S. military action against cartels, suggesting continued regional security interventions might be forthcoming. The White House has commenced planning for Venezuela’s political future, with Trump emphasizing significant U.S. involvement in determining the country’s post-Maduro governance structure.

  • Rubio ‘anticipates no further action in Venezuela’ with Maduro’s capture

    Rubio ‘anticipates no further action in Venezuela’ with Maduro’s capture

    WASHINGTON, United States — A significant development in U.S.-Venezuela relations has unfolded with the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. military personnel. According to Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the operation, indicating Maduro will face trial in the United States on criminal charges.

    Senator Lee disclosed on social media platform X that he received direct confirmation from Rubio, who characterized the military action as necessary to protect personnel executing an arrest warrant. Lee suggested the operation might fall under the president’s constitutional authority under Article II to respond to actual or imminent threats against U.S. personnel.

    The operation received presidential endorsement from Donald Trump, who described it as “brilliant” in a post on his Truth Social network. Trump confirmed that Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country” in a joint operation conducted “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.”

    However, the military action has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, condemned the operation as “illegal” and “the second unjustified war in my lifetime,” expressing concerns about its constitutional basis.

    The controversy emerges amid broader apprehension among legislators regarding Trump’s escalating military presence in the Caribbean Sea, ostensibly to combat narco-trafficking. Administration officials report over 125 casualties in maritime operations targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels since early September.

    Vermont Senator Peter Welch has emphasized congressional concerns about these deployments, urging greater transparency and accountability under the War Powers Act. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called for more congressional oversight before any further military actions are authorized.

  • Opposition Leader: US attack in Venezuela ‘deeply troubling’

    Opposition Leader: US attack in Venezuela ‘deeply troubling’

    Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has issued a sharp rebuke of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s response to the recent US military operation in Caracas, condemning her failure to address the safety concerns of Trinidad and Tobago embassy personnel stationed in the Venezuelan capital.

    The criticism follows early morning operations on January 3rd when US Delta Force special operations units conducted a large-scale strike in Caracas, reportedly resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The operation occurred amid significant US military mobilization in the Caribbean region, including the positioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and multiple warships.

    Beckles characterized the Prime Minister’s three-line statement acknowledging the events as insufficient, noting it completely omitted reference to Trinidad’s diplomatic presence in Venezuela. “We place on record our concern for the safety and welfare of the staff and all TT nationals in Venezuela,” Beckles stated, describing the military intervention as “deeply troubling.”

    The Opposition Leader emphasized that while some operational details remain unconfirmed, any military development within Trinidad’s immediate geographic sphere represents a matter of serious concern for the nation, CARICOM, and the broader Caribbean community. Beckles reiterated her party’s commitment to maintaining the Caribbean as a zone of peace, upholding principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful dispute resolution.

    Citing recent US military actions including the seizure of two Venezuelan oil tankers and deadly strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels that killed over 100 people, Beckles called for restraint from all involved parties. She urged adherence to international law and emphasized that “the protection and preservation of human life must remain paramount.”

    Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, in her social media response, acknowledged the attacks but explicitly stated that “Trinidad and Tobago is not a participant in any of these ongoing military operations.”