分类: politics

  • Venezuela will resist, will not be a colony, says consul in Uruguay

    Venezuela will resist, will not be a colony, says consul in Uruguay

    Montevideo witnessed a significant demonstration of solidarity as protesters gathered before Venezuela’s diplomatic headquarters, voicing strong opposition to perceived U.S. military interventions. The rally, organized by Uruguay’s PIT-CNT labor union alongside various social organizations, featured prominent speaker Sassone who characterized recent American operations as “an unprecedented military action by the United States in terms of violating constitutional and international law.”

    Sassone further asserted that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is effectively held hostage by invading U.S. forces, demanding his immediate liberation. The demonstration gained additional support from the Association of Cuban Residents in Uruguay, which issued statements condemning what they termed “imperialist aggression” against Venezuela.

    The Cuban association’s communiqué specifically urged Cuban expatriates in Uruguay to join both Uruguayan citizens and other organizations in the capital-based protest. According to their published text, the gathering aimed to repudiate “US interference and intervention in our sovereign countries” while simultaneously expressing “solidarity and support for the brotherly Venezuelan people, who will not be alone in their struggle for freedom and self-determination.” The event represents growing Latin American concern over external involvement in regional affairs.

  • Cuba’s UPEC classifies attacks against Venezuela “oil thirst”

    Cuba’s UPEC classifies attacks against Venezuela “oil thirst”

    The Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC) has issued a forceful condemnation of what it characterizes as unprecedented American aggression against Venezuela. In an official statement, the organization accused the United States of launching direct attacks against multiple Venezuelan regions including Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira before allegedly orchestrating the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who have reportedly joined what UPEC describes as the “endless list of the disappeared under imperial auspices.”

    The statement frames these events as validation of historical warnings about what it terms “Northern voracity,” asserting that current actions exceed even the imperial brutality documented during José Martí’s era. UPEC further contends that recent developments have effectively shattered Latin America’s carefully constructed “Zone of Peace” initiative, which sought to maintain regional harmony despite political differences.

    In particularly scathing rhetoric, the journalists’ association referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump’s symbolic renaming of the Defense Department as the “Department of War,” suggesting this semantic shift foreshadowed current events. The statement sarcastically proposed that Trump would merit a “Nobel Prize for War” while criticizing the actual Nobel recognition given to Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, whom UPEC implied celebrates violence disguised as pacifism.

    The organization concluded with a reaffirmation of Cuba’s unwavering solidarity with Maduro and the Bolivarian people, declaring that imperial oil interests cannot override regional aspirations for peace and self-determination. “Latin America and the Caribbean refuse to be anyone’s backyard,” the statement emphasized, “but insist on being their own garden.”

  • Venezuelan Vice President demands iImediate release of Maduro

    Venezuelan Vice President demands iImediate release of Maduro

    Venezuela has activated a national state of emergency following what government officials describe as an act of imperialist aggression. The decree, originally signed by the president, was formally announced by the vice president during a nationwide radio and television address. She subsequently delivered the emergency order to the president of the Supreme Court of Justice for immediate implementation.

    According to the vice president, this armed incursion represents a severe rupture in bilateral relations with the United States. She revealed that President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were reportedly captured during the operation, characterizing the event as a savage attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the early hours of the morning.

    The government asserts that the true objective behind the aggression is the seizure of Venezuela’s substantial energy, mineral, and natural resources. Officials have called upon the international community to recognize this alleged resource grab, with the vice president emphasizing that “the world must know this.”

    In response to the crisis, Venezuelan citizens have reportedly taken to the streets following mobilization calls from leadership. The vice president reiterated the president’s previous warning that any threat to his safety would trigger widespread civil mobilization, workplace activism by militant groups, and full deployment of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces.

    The government claims significant international support from nations including China, Russia, and various countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. The vice president added that global governments are reportedly shocked that Venezuela has become the target of an attack with what she characterized as “Zionist undertones.”

    The entire National Power of Venezuela has been activated to defend what officials describe as the nation’s Bolivarian heritage and sacred duty to protect national independence.

  • Cuba strongly condemns US aggression against Venezuela

    Cuba strongly condemns US aggression against Venezuela

    The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex) has issued a forceful declaration expressing solidarity with Venezuela and demanding immediate action from the United States government. The statement explicitly endorses the recent address by Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, which called for Washington to provide verifiable proof of life for the country’s constitutional president, Nicolás Maduro Moros, and his wife, Vice President Cilia Flores.

    The Minrex communiqué characterizes recent US military maneuvers in the Caribbean Sea as a ‘cowardly aggression’ and a ‘criminal act,’ alleging they represent a dangerous escalation of a long-standing campaign against Venezuela. These actions, described as being based on ‘mendacious pretexts and unfounded accusations without any evidence,’ are stated to be in direct violation of International Law and the United Nations Charter.

    Cuba’s foreign ministry holds the US government, specifically naming former President Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Marco Rubio, directly responsible for the resultant human casualties and material damage. The statement further implicates ‘aggressive and hostile elements in Latin America and the Caribbean’ as complicit in these actions.

    Reiterating its unwavering support, the Minrex document praises the determination of the Bolivarian government and the Venezuelan people to defend their national sovereignty and independence against what it terms foreign aggression. The Cuban government’s central demand remains the immediate and unconditional release of President Maduro and Vice President Flores by US authorities.

  • US indictment outlines Maduro’s alleged narcotics and corruption crimes

    US indictment outlines Maduro’s alleged narcotics and corruption crimes

    The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has unsealed a sweeping superseding indictment leveling grave charges against Venezuelan leadership. The document presents a comprehensive case alleging that President Nicolás Maduro and his inner circle orchestrated a quarter-century conspiracy involving narcotics trafficking, corruption, and narco-terrorism.

    Prosecutors depict a systemic corruption network where Venezuelan officials allegedly weaponized state institutions to facilitate massive cocaine shipments to the United States. The indictment identifies Maduro as the central figure in this operation, accusing him and his co-defendants of exploiting diplomatic protections and governmental authority to shield illegal activities.

    The judicial filing details sophisticated collaboration between Venezuelan officials and internationally recognized terrorist organizations and cartels. According to the charges, Maduro’s regime partnered with Colombia’s FARC guerrillas, Mexico’s Zetas cartel, and the violent Tren de Aragua criminal syndicate to transport cocaine through Caribbean and Central American transit points.

    Beyond drug trafficking, the indictment describes a pattern of political corruption including the alleged sale of Venezuelan diplomatic passports to drug traffickers seeking to move illicit proceeds. The document further connects these activities to Maduro’s contested political legitimacy, referencing internationally condemned presidential elections in 2018 and 2024.

    Additional high-profile defendants include Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello Rondón, former Interior Minister Ramon Rodriguez Chacin, First Lady Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro, the president’s son Nicolas Ernesto Maduro, and Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores of Tren de Aragua.

    The unsealed indictment represents one of the most significant narcotics cases ever brought against a sitting head of state, alleging that Venezuela’s leadership transformed the nation into a narco-state that threatened regional security and American communities through drug-fueled corruption.

  • America First: 21e-eeuwse déjà vu

    America First: 21e-eeuwse déjà vu

    In an unprecedented diplomatic maneuver, the United States has recalled thirty ambassadors, including 29 career diplomats and its envoy to Suriname, signaling a dramatic shift in Western Hemisphere policy. This mass recall—the largest simultaneous withdrawal of diplomatic personnel in American history—stems directly from President Donald Trump’s newly implemented National Security Strategy (NSS) published in December 2025.

    The 30-page NSS document, crafted under Trump’s direct supervision, introduces what it terms the ‘Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine’ on its fifteenth page. This policy marks a modern revival of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine originally articulated by President James Monroe, which sought to limit European colonization and intervention in the Americas while asserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

    The updated doctrine emphasizes restoring American security interests through commercial diplomacy and discouraging partnerships with nations outside the hemisphere. It prioritizes combating illegal migration, dismantling drug trafficking networks, enhancing maritime stability, and supporting governments that align with U.S. objectives.

    Most significantly, the NSS legitimizes expanded U.S. military presence in the region through four key provisions: appropriate coast guard and maritime deployments to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration, and control of crucial routes during crises. Current reports indicate over 10,000 U.S. troops are now deployed across the Caribbean region.

    This policy has manifested dramatically in Venezuela, where since November 2025, U.S. military aircraft have conducted operations that Caracas has denounced at the United Nations as violations of national sovereignty. The situation escalated on January 3, 2026, with targeted U.S. airstrikes on Venezuelan territory and the reported capture of President Maduro, whom American authorities accuse of involvement in international drug trafficking.

    The developments raise profound questions about sovereignty and interventionism, echoing historical U.S. military actions in the Dominican Republic (1965) and Nicaragua (1983). With the U.S. likely to veto any UN Security Council action, the international community faces limited options to address what many consider unlawful sovereignty violations.

    For Caribbean nations like Suriname, the new doctrine presents both challenges and opportunities. Regional cohesion through organizations like CARICOM becomes increasingly vital, while commercial diplomacy divorced from military objectives could offer benefits if aligned with national trade strategies. As the hemisphere navigates this new diplomatic landscape, nations must balance engagement with sovereignty in what appears to be a return to great power politics in America’s backyard.

  • PM Browne Tells Caribbean People to Stay Calm Amid Venezuela Concerns

    PM Browne Tells Caribbean People to Stay Calm Amid Venezuela Concerns

    Amid escalating regional apprehensions stemming from Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has delivered a stabilizing address urging Caribbean citizens to maintain composure and fortitude. While avoiding direct mention of Venezuela, Browne’s carefully timed statement emphasizes the necessity of collective resilience and optimistic outlook during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.

    The Prime Minister’s message arrives as Venezuela’s internal political turmoil continues to attract significant international scrutiny, generating concerns throughout the Caribbean regarding democratic stability and regional security. Browne refrained from specifying policy positions but strategically positioned his administration as an advocate for diplomatic dialogue and regional cohesion.

    Antigua and Barbuda maintains a longstanding tradition of promoting democratic principles and multilateral cooperation within Latin American and Caribbean spheres, particularly during times of political volatility affecting neighboring nations. This approach reflects the nation’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and institutional respect.

    Browne’s diplomatic communication aligns with consistent patterns among Caribbean leadership emphasizing unity, calculated diplomacy, and emotional steadiness when external developments threaten to disrupt regional equilibrium. The statement serves both as psychological reassurance for citizens and diplomatic positioning within the broader inter-American community.

  • Trump Rules Out Venezuela’s Opposition Leader Machado Taking Power

    Trump Rules Out Venezuela’s Opposition Leader Machado Taking Power

    In a significant development regarding the political transition in Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly questioned opposition figure Maria Corina Machado’s capacity to assume leadership following the dramatic removal of Nicolas Maduro. Speaking on Saturday, Trump expressed skepticism about Machado’s political viability despite the successful U.S. military operation that extracted Maduro from Caracas.

    Trump characterized Machado as ‘a very nice woman’ but explicitly stated, ‘I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support within – or the respect within – the country.’ The comments came hours after American forces conducted targeted strikes in Venezuela’s capital and captured Maduro, who is now en route to the United States to face trial.

    The President revealed that U.S. authorities had not established contact with Machado’s team throughout the operation, despite her prominent role in the opposition movement. When Newsweek sought comment from Machado’s representatives on Saturday afternoon, no immediate response was available.

    Trump further outlined America’s strategic interests in Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of regional stability and energy security. ‘We have to be surrounded by safe, secure countries, and we also have to have energy – very important – we have to have energy that’s real energy,’ he stated during the press conference, indicating plans for U.S. involvement in rebuilding and expanding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.

    The administration’s stance suggests a hands-on approach to Venezuela’s political future and economic reconstruction, though specific details about interim governance arrangements remain undisclosed. This developing situation marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Venezuela relations and regional power dynamics.

  • Russia urges US to release Venezuela’s Maduro

    Russia urges US to release Venezuela’s Maduro

    The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a forceful condemnation on Saturday of what it characterized as an American ‘act of armed aggression’ against Venezuela, following reports that President Nicolás Maduro was captured in a US military operation in and around Caracas. In a series of official statements, Moscow demanded the immediate release of the ‘legally elected president’ and his wife, framing the intervention as a severe violation of international sovereignty.

    While expressing ‘solidarity’ with the Venezuelan people and calling for renewed dialogue between Washington and Caracas, the Russian government notably refrained from committing to any immediate military or financial support for its embattled ally. The ministry dismissed the justifications presented by the United States for the operation as ‘untenable,’ asserting that ‘ideological hostility has triumphed over businesslike pragmatism.’

    Russia, which remains one of the few nations to have recognized Maduro’s controversial re-election in 2024, described the news of his apprehension as ‘deeply alarming.’ The South American nation holds significant strategic importance for the Kremlin as its closest regional partner and a major client for Russian military exports. In a related development, Moscow officially denied as ‘fake’ circulating reports that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez had sought refuge on Russian soil.

  • Suriname uit grote bezorgdheid over escalatie na luchtaanvallen op Venezuela

    Suriname uit grote bezorgdheid over escalatie na luchtaanvallen op Venezuela

    The Surinamese government has expressed profound concern regarding the deteriorating security situation in the region following overnight airstrikes targeting Venezuela. President Jennifer Simons participated in an emergency summit of CARICOM heads of state before convening urgent national consultations with political and security authorities to assess implications for Suriname and neighboring nations.

    In an official statement, the government confirmed it had ‘taken note with great concern of the escalation of the security situation in our region resulting from nocturnal aerial attacks on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.’ The emergency CARICOM summit brought together regional leaders to coordinate responses to the developing crisis.

    President Simons subsequently convened an emergency meeting with Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Defense, Justice and Police, the Chairman of the National Assembly, parliamentary faction leaders, and all national security authorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established contact with Surinamese diplomatic representation in Venezuela, confirming all personnel remain safe.

    The government has committed to ensuring the security of Surinamese citizens potentially affected by the escalating situation and is working to facilitate the safe return of any nationals stranded in the region. Within CARICOM frameworks, ongoing discussions will address the broader regional implications, with particular solidarity expressed for Caribbean islands experiencing immediate economic disruption from the crisis.

    Suriname has issued an appeal to international organizations including the Organization of American States, the United Nations, and the global community to actively promote regional peace and uphold international legal order. The government emphasized that vulnerable nations can only thrive within a functioning international legal framework committed to by all countries.

    Meanwhile, authorities are implementing necessary measures in anticipation of potential refugee movements and have called for public calm during this period of regional instability.