分类： politics

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.

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.

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.

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared the United Kingdom’s firm alignment with United States policy toward Venezuela, stating that Britain “sheds no tears” over the downfall of Nicolás Maduro’s administration. The announcement came during a press briefing on Saturday where Starmer outlined his government’s position on the evolving political situation in the South American nation.

Starmer confirmed that high-level discussions between UK and US counterparts regarding Venezuela’s political future are scheduled to occur in the coming days. These diplomatic exchanges will focus on coordinating international efforts to ensure a stable transition of power in Caracas.

“The United Kingdom has consistently advocated for democratic transition in Venezuela,” Starmer stated. “We have never recognized Maduro as the legitimate president and therefore view the conclusion of his regime without regret.”

Emphasizing Britain’s commitment to international legal frameworks, the Prime Minister added: “This morning I reaffirmed my government’s dedication to upholding international law. Our objective remains a secure and peaceful transfer of power to a legitimate administration that truly represents the will of the Venezuelan people.”

The British position signals a continuation of the previous UK government’s stance toward Venezuela, maintaining pressure on the Maduro government while supporting opposition movements seeking democratic reform. This development occurs amid increasing international scrutiny of Venezuela’s political trajectory and human rights record.

In a significant address at the JPS Hunt’s Bay Power Plant, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the initiation of high-level Cabinet discussions with Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to underground critical portions of the nation’s electricity infrastructure. This strategic move forms the cornerstone of a comprehensive effort to transform Jamaica’s power grid into a storm-resilient system capable of withstanding future climate challenges.

The Prime Minister’s declaration came during a ceremony marking the deployment of 175 specialized utility vehicles—including bucket trucks, diggers, and pole trailers—to accelerate restoration efforts in communities still without power since Hurricane Melissa struck on October 28, 2025. This latest addition brings the total fleet of recovery vehicles to 247, substantially enhancing operational capacity during the critical final phase of restoration.

Holness framed the crisis as an opportunity for transformative change, emphasizing that mere restoration would be insufficient. “The opportunity comes when we look at the poles we are putting up and say: How do we put up stronger poles? How do we introduce microgrids? How do we put some of our lines underground?” he stated, revealing that preliminary cost assessments have already been presented to the government.

While acknowledging the substantial financial investment required, the Prime Minister presented a compelling economic argument for resilience, questioning: “What is it that we lose by not having resilience in the grid?” He detailed how prolonged outages cripple hospitals, security services, businesses, and overall economic activity, justifying the government’s approach to treating electricity as an essential public good.

This perspective underpinned the administration’s controversial decision to facilitate a US$150-million loan to the privately-owned JPS, which Holness defended as necessary for protecting public interest. He explicitly separated this emergency financing from ongoing license renegotiations with the utility company, assuring citizens that their interests would be safeguarded in both processes.

Current restoration statistics indicate approximately 90% of the island has regained power, with the hardest-hit parishes reaching nearly 70% recovery—a pace Holness described as creditable compared to international benchmarks following major storms.

The Prime Minister linked these recovery efforts to broader economic resilience, citing recent Planning Institute of Jamaica data showing over 5% growth in the last quarter. He characterized resilience as the product of deliberate policy choices rather than chance, stating: “It requires planning, and therefore, the reason why you are seeing the economy displaying resilience is because the government that you elected took decisions that contributed to that outcome.”

As restoration enters its final phase, Holness committed to prioritizing citizenship over cost-benefit calculations, envisioning a rebuilt Jamaica that emerges stronger than before. The strategy specifically targets strengthening critical corridors in western Jamaica and Kingston to ensure faster recovery when future storms inevitably strike.