Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Cuba issues direct condemnation of U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro

    Cuba issues direct condemnation of U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro

    The Cuban government has issued a forceful condemnation of the United States’ military intervention in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores on January 3. In an official declaration characterized by strong rhetoric, Cuban authorities denounced the operation as an unlawful act of aggression that violates international law and the United Nations Charter.

    Cuba’s statement expressed unwavering solidarity with Venezuela’s Bolivarian government and endorsed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez’s demand for proof regarding Maduro’s safety and whereabouts. The Caribbean nation, a longstanding ally of Venezuela, pledged support for Caracas’ right to defend its sovereignty against what it termed ‘unwarranted foreign interference.’

    The condemnation framed the military action as part of a broader campaign against Venezuela that intensified in September 2025 with US naval deployments in the Caribbean Sea. Cuban officials characterized these maneuvers as based on ‘false pretexts and unfounded accusations lacking any evidence.’

    Invoking historical context, the statement suggested the operation reflects the Monroe Doctrine’s legacy, aiming to establish hegemonic control over Latin America’s natural resources and political systems. Cuban authorities warned of potential repercussions and placed direct responsibility for any casualties on US leadership, including former President Donald Trump and senior officials.

    The declaration referenced the 2014 Havana Declaration, which established Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, and called upon regional governments to honor this commitment. Cuba urged international condemnation of what it described as ‘state terrorism,’ arguing that such actions threaten global peace and challenge the sovereignty of all Latin American nations.

    Concluding with revolutionary fervor, the statement affirmed Cuba’s preparedness to ‘give even our own blood’ for Venezuela and echoed historical slogans: ‘Homeland or Death. We Shall Overcome!’

  • Tribute paid in Italy to Cuban combatants killed in Venezuela

    Tribute paid in Italy to Cuban combatants killed in Venezuela

    The Cuban embassy hosted a solemn commemorative ceremony this morning to honor combatants who perished during internationalist missions. Interim Chargé d’Affaires Damian Delgado presided over the event, which featured the singing of the national anthem and a moment of silent tribute for those “who sacrificed their lives while fulfilling the sacred duty of solidarity and internationalism inherent to Cuban revolutionaries.”

    Delgado eulogized the fallen as embodiments of “the nation’s most cherished values and the courageous fighting spirit of our people.” The ceremony transformed into a platform of political defiance, with attendees reaffirming their unwavering commitment to protect the Cuban Revolution against what was described as “threats from the US imperialist government.”

    The diplomat’s address culminated in a powerful declaration: “The decision is simple: Homeland or Death. We will prevail!” This statement captured the intensely patriotic atmosphere of the event, which memorialized martyrs said to have fought “to their last breath on Venezuelan soil.”

    In response to these casualties, the Cuban government has officially proclaimed a 30-hour period of national mourning commencing at 6:00 a.m. on January 5th, 2026, and concluding at 12:00 p.m. on January 6th. This gesture pays respect to those who “honorably fulfilled their duty and fell after demonstrating fierce resistance, either in direct combat against attackers or as casualties of facility bombings.”

    According to an official government statement, the deceased were deployed as representatives of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior, conducting missions at the request of Venezuelan counterparts. Their heroic actions, the statement concludes, “have exalted the solidarity of millions of compatriots.”

  • Cuban authorities congratulate the National Revolutionary Police

    Cuban authorities congratulate the National Revolutionary Police

    Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel marked the 65th anniversary of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) with a social media tribute, emphasizing the institution’s transformative role in the nation’s history. “January 5, 1959, witnessed the end of abusive practices by the dictatorship’s police forces,” Diaz-Canel stated, “ushering in a new law enforcement body dedicated to serving the people and their Revolutionary ideals.

    The commemorations continued with National Assembly President Esteban Lazo honoring PNR members as “true Heroes in Blue” who perform daily feats in safeguarding public security and tranquility. Roberto Morales, Organization Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the “commendable work” of the police force in a widely shared congratulatory message.

    Prime Minister Manuel Marrero provided historical context, noting the PNR’s origins in the Rebel Army under the initiative of then-Commander Raúl Castro. “The PNR remains an impregnable bastion defending public order and tranquility,” Marrero affirmed.

    The establishment of the PNR in 1959 represented a conscious effort to create an exemplary institution that would erase the legacy of repression, abuse, and corruption associated with Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship (1952-1958). Today, the force maintains its fundamental mission of preserving public order, ensuring citizen safety, and regulating road security throughout Cuba.”

  • Caribbean politicians implicated as Maduro arrest sparks regional shockwaves

    Caribbean politicians implicated as Maduro arrest sparks regional shockwaves

    A seismic political event has rocked the Western Hemisphere following the unprecedented capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores by U.S. military forces in Caracas. The operation, which resulted in their transfer to New York for criminal proceedings, comes alongside a comprehensive 700-page indictment that reveals extensive narco-corruption networks penetrating multiple Caribbean governments.

    The judicial document, filed in New York courts, presents detailed allegations that Maduro’s administration systematically transformed Venezuela into a narcostate, colluding with transnational criminal organizations including Colombia’s guerrilla factions and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. The indictment identifies a sophisticated trafficking corridor stretching from South American production centers through Caribbean transit points to North American distribution networks.

    According to federal prosecutors, Maduro and his associates—including Vice-President Diosdado Cabello Rondón, former interior minister Ramón Rodríguez Chacín, and the president’s son Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra—orchestrated the shipment of thousands of metric tons of cocaine toward the United States. The scheme allegedly involved weaponizing state institutions, with accusations that Maduro issued diplomatic passports to traffickers during his tenure as foreign minister (2006-2008), while Flores allegedly facilitated meetings through bribery arrangements.

    The document further describes how government-owned aircraft from Venezuela’s petroleum company PDVSA were repurposed for drug transports under armed guard. Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, leader of the notorious Tren de Aragua prison gang, is named as a key operational coordinator.

    Beyond Venezuela, the indictment exposes a Caribbean-wide corruption web where politicians and officials allegedly received substantial payments from traffickers in exchange for protection and political favors. This ‘Caribbean route’ enabled cocaine shipments to move northward with impunity, undermining governance institutions and destabilizing regional security.

    The dramatic capture operation, which U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted saved the government $50 million in previously offered reward money, represents one of the most aggressive actions ever taken against a sitting head of state. The case signals a hardening U.S. approach to transnational narcotics trafficking and political corruption, with implications that extend throughout Latin America and the Caribbean basin.

    Maduro and Flores are scheduled to appear in federal court in New York within days, facing potential decades-long prison sentences if convicted. The proceedings are expected to reveal further details about the intersection of political power and organized crime in the Americas.

  • Nicolas Maduro arrives in Manhattan ahead of court hearing

    Nicolas Maduro arrives in Manhattan ahead of court hearing

    Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has made a notable arrival in Manhattan, New York, marking a significant diplomatic and judicial moment. His presence in the United States is directly connected to an impending court hearing, drawing intense international scrutiny. This development occurs amidst a complex backdrop of strained bilateral relations and serious legal challenges involving the Venezuelan government. The journey itself is remarkable given the existing geopolitical tensions and the serious allegations previously leveled by U.S. authorities against Maduro’s administration. The hearing is expected to address critical legal matters that have been a focal point in U.S.-Venezuela relations, potentially influencing future diplomatic engagements. Security around the proceedings is exceptionally tight, reflecting the high-profile nature of the case and the attendant political sensitivities. Global markets and political analysts are closely monitoring the situation for any potential ramifications on international oil markets and regional geopolitics. The outcome of this legal process is anticipated to have profound implications for Venezuela’s political trajectory and its interactions with the international community.

  • Interim-leider Venezuela zoekt samenwerking met VS na arrestatie Maduro

    Interim-leider Venezuela zoekt samenwerking met VS na arrestatie Maduro

    In a dramatic diplomatic reversal, Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez has signaled willingness to collaborate with the United States regarding her nation’s future, despite previously condemning the military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro as “an atrocity violating international law.

    Rodríguez, appointed interim leader by Venezuela’s Supreme Court shortly after Maduro’s capture by U.S. special forces, communicated via Telegram on Sunday that establishing “a balanced and respectful relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela” now represents a priority. Her statement marked a significant departure from her Saturday television address where she declared Maduro the “only legitimate president” and characterized the Trump administration as “extremists.

    The capture operation—described as one of America’s most perilous military actions since the 2011 Osama bin Laden raid—resulted in Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores facing federal charges in New York including narcoterrorism, cocaine trafficking, and weapons offenses. Maduro is scheduled to appear before a Manhattan federal court on Monday.

    President Trump’s response evolved throughout the crisis. Initially suggesting productive dialogue with Rodríguez, he subsequently threatened severe consequences following her criticism and warned of potential additional military interventions, including ground troops, asserting American dominance in Venezuela.

    Simultaneously, Rodríguez established a commission led by Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and her brother Jorge Rodríguez, head of the National Assembly, dedicated to securing Maduro and Flores’s release from U.S. detention. Observers have drawn parallels between Maduro’s situation and that of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, arrested by U.S. forces in 1990 and convicted on drug-related charges.

    U.S. officials frame Maduro’s capture as judicial enforcement regarding 2020 indictments, while Trump additionally cited concerns over Venezuelan migration flows and nationalization of American oil assets as operation motivations.

  • U.S. Indictment Alleges Caribbean Politicians Took Bribes to Facilitate Cocaine Route

    U.S. Indictment Alleges Caribbean Politicians Took Bribes to Facilitate Cocaine Route

    A comprehensive U.S. federal indictment has unveiled an extensive transnational narcotics network, alleging that Venezuela’s ruling elite, led by President Nicolás Maduro, orchestrated a multi-decade conspiracy to flood the United States with cocaine. The judicial document, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, implicates numerous current and former Venezuelan officials in a scheme that leveraged the Caribbean as a critical trafficking corridor.

    The prosecution’s case details a sophisticated operation dubbed the ‘Caribbean route,’ where cocaine shipments originating from Venezuela utilized maritime and aerial pathways. Central to the alleged conspiracy was the systematic corruption of political figures across multiple Caribbean nations. These officials are accused of accepting payments from traffickers to provide protection from law enforcement and guarantee unimpeded movement for designated narcotics networks.

    Venezuela’s geographic position, with its extensive coastline and major ports, is presented as a strategic asset for launching narcotics toward transshipment hubs throughout the Caribbean basin. The indictment contends that this corruption-fueled pipeline not only enriched political accomplices at various stages of the supply chain but also empowered violent criminal and narco-terrorist organizations operating across the Western Hemisphere.

    U.S. authorities have clarified that the charges remain allegations at this stage, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law. The Maduro administration has consistently dismissed such accusations as baseless and politically motivated. This legal action represents a significant component of a broader U.S. strategy to combat international drug trafficking networks that exploit institutional vulnerabilities and corruption in key transit regions like the Caribbean.

  • PM Browne says his earlier call for peace in the region was never a defense of Maduro

    PM Browne says his earlier call for peace in the region was never a defense of Maduro

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a definitive clarification regarding his recent diplomatic statements on regional stability. Addressing potential misinterpretations, Browne emphasized that his calls for peaceful dialogue and non-intervention in Venezuela were fundamentally mischaracterized if viewed as support for President Nicolás Maduro’s administration.

    The clarification comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean region, where neighboring nations have adopted varying positions regarding Venezuela’s political crisis. Browne’s original appeal emphasized regional sovereignty and the principle of self-determination, urging Caribbean Community (CARICOM) members to maintain diplomatic neutrality while encouraging peaceful resolution mechanisms.

    Browne articulated that advocating for peaceful conflict resolution should not be conflated with endorsing specific governments or leaders. His statements reflect a broader Caribbean tradition of diplomatic engagement that prioritizes regional stability over alignment with particular political factions. This position maintains the delicate balance required for small nations navigating complex international disputes involving global powers.

    The Prime Minister’s office further elaborated that Antigua and Barbuda’s foreign policy remains committed to constitutional order and democratic principles, while simultaneously advocating for peaceful dialogue between all Venezuelan stakeholders. This nuanced approach characterizes many Caribbean nations’ attempts to maintain regional harmony while respecting international law and governance standards.

  • PM says as a global leader he must be able to speak on behalf of residents or step aside

    PM says as a global leader he must be able to speak on behalf of residents or step aside

    In a powerful address that redefined expectations for international governance, the Prime Minister delivered a compelling critique of contemporary global leadership. The speech emphasized that true international influence must be fundamentally rooted in faithfully representing one’s citizens, proposing that leaders who fail this essential duty should consider relinquishing their positions.

    The Prime Minister’s framework establishes a new paradigm for political legitimacy on the world stage, challenging the conventional metrics of power and economic might. This perspective shifts the focus toward democratic accountability and responsive governance as prerequisites for meaningful global engagement.

    Through specific examples and historical context, the address illustrated how nations that prioritize domestic welfare consistently achieve more sustainable and respected international standing. The Prime Minister contrasted this approach with instances where leaders pursued foreign agendas disconnected from their populations’ needs, ultimately diminishing both domestic stability and global credibility.

    This philosophical stance carries significant implications for international relations, potentially influencing how nations evaluate their participation in global institutions and multilateral agreements. The speech also arrives during a period of heightened scrutiny regarding the effectiveness of international organizations and the quality of leadership within them.

    The address concludes with a forward-looking perspective on how this accountability-centered approach could reshape diplomatic norms and create more stable international partnerships built on genuine popular support rather than temporary political arrangements.

  • PM Browne Responds to Opposition Allegations on Deportees Arrangement

    PM Browne Responds to Opposition Allegations on Deportees Arrangement

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a firm rebuttal against allegations from opposition parties that his administration covertly agreed to accept massive numbers of criminal deportees from the United States. Characterizing the claims as a malicious falsehood, Browne condemned what he described as a politically motivated disinformation campaign designed to undermine public trust.

    The controversy centers on accusations from the United Progressive Party (UPP), which alleged the government secretly consented to receive over 100,000 deportees with criminal backgrounds from the U.S. Browne categorically denied these assertions, labeling them as ‘dastardly political spin’ rooted in falsehoods intended to score cheap political points.

    Clarifying the actual terms of the arrangement, Browne revealed his government had consented to review possibly up to ten non-criminal refugees who possess skills currently in short supply within Antigua and Barbuda. This limited humanitarian initiative, he emphasized, operates under a framework of complete discretion, allowing authorities to accept or reject any individuals recommended by U.S. officials.

    The Prime Minister further explained that the agreement includes provisions for biometric data sharing and criminal background transparency from U.S. authorities. This arrangement forms part of a broader international effort where the United States has invited over 100 nations to assist in alleviating refugee and deportee pressures.

    Browne noted that several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states have participated in similar agreements, contrasting their cooperative approach with what he characterized as the opposition’s habitual tendency toward sensationalism and misinformation for political gain.