分类： politics

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States has completed a landmark $500 million oil transaction from Venezuelan reserves, marking the first sale since Washington assumed control of the sector following the removal of President Nicolas Maduro, according to a US official statement on Thursday.

The unidentified official confirmed that this initial sale could be followed by additional transactions in the immediate future. The development comes as part of a comprehensive energy agreement brokered by former President Donald Trump in the aftermath of Maduro’s arrest, whom the White House has labeled a ‘narcoterrorist.’

Trump announced via his Truth Social platform last week that interim Venezuelan authorities would transfer 30-50 million barrels of high-quality, previously sanctioned oil to the United States. The former president emphasized that the oil would be sold at market price with proceeds controlled exclusively by the US government.

In a significant shift from traditional resource sovereignty principles, the White House plan explicitly excludes Caracas from decision-making regarding the exploitation of Venezuela’s substantial underground reserves. Trump directly instructed major oil companies to negotiate solely with US authorities, stating: ‘You’re dealing with us directly and not dealing with Venezuela at all.’

The administration has reportedly secured commitments from energy corporations prepared to invest approximately $100 billion in Venezuela’s oil sector. Additionally, Trump signed an emergency order providing special protection to Venezuelan assets held in the United States, including oil revenues, shielding them from potential court seizures or creditor claims.

White House spokesman Taylor Rogers characterized these actions as protecting the Western Hemisphere ‘from being taken advantage of by narcoterrorists, drug traffickers, and foreign adversaries,’ framing the arrangement as beneficial for both American and Venezuelan citizens.

HAVANA, Cuba — In a powerful display of national unity, Cuba conducted solemn ceremonies on Thursday honoring 32 military personnel killed during recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela. The tribute occurred amid escalating tensions between Havana and the Trump administration, serving as both a memorial and political statement.

The ceremony featured full military honors with President Miguel Diaz-Canel and revolutionary leader Raul Castro, aged 94, attending in formal military attire. The soldiers’ remains, transported in flag-draped urns, arrived at Jose Marti International Airport where officials received them with full state honors.

Interior Minister General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez delivered a stirring eulogy praising the soldiers who had ‘fought to the last bullet’ during U.S. operations that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife on January 3. The minister explicitly condemned U.S. pressure campaigns, declaring that the United States ‘will never be able to buy the dignity of the Cuban people.’

The procession traveled through Havana streets as citizens lined routes applauding the military convoy. The government declared two days of national tribute, concluding with a public gathering outside the U.S. embassy in Havana.

This demonstration occurs as Cuba faces intensified economic pressure from the Trump administration. President Trump recently threatened consequences unless Cuba accepts an unspecified ‘deal,’ while simultaneously vowing to切断 all Venezuelan oil subsidies that have historically supported Cuba’s economy.

The Cuban government has responded defiantly to these pressures despite experiencing its most severe economic crisis in decades. Havana additionally rejected recent U.S. offers of hurricane relief aid following October’s Hurricane Melissa, denouncing the gesture as ‘political manipulation’ while maintaining they would accept unconditional assistance.

Jeremy Lewin, the senior U.S. official for foreign assistance, urged Cuba not to ‘politicize’ humanitarian offers, indicating Washington’s desire to expand direct aid programs to Cuban citizens.

The incident marks a significant deterioration in U.S.-Cuba relations, which had seen slight improvements during the Obama administration but have regressed dramatically following Maduro’s capture and the accompanying military casualties that included 23 Venezuelan soldiers.

MINNEAPOLIS, United States – Escalating tensions between federal authorities and Minnesota protesters have prompted President Donald Trump to threaten deployment of military forces under the 19th-century Insurrection Act. The unprecedented warning follows two separate incidents where federal immigration agents discharged their weapons in Minneapolis, resulting in one fatality and one injury this week.

The political confrontation intensified Thursday as Trump utilized his social media platform to accuse Minnesota’s Democratic leadership of permitting ‘professional agitators and insurrectionists’ to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. The President explicitly warned that failure to restore order would trigger implementation of the rarely used statute, last invoked during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz countered with vehement criticism, describing federal operations as ‘a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota.’ In a video address Wednesday night, Walz detailed numerous violent incidents including broken windows, dragged pregnant women, and the January 7 killing of 37-year-old Renee Good. The governor urged peaceful protests while demanding the immediate cessation of what he termed federal ‘occupation.’

The crisis deepened Wednesday evening when an ICE agent shot and injured a Venezuelan immigrant during an apprehension attempt. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the shooting occurred during a physical struggle, with two additional individuals subsequently attacking the federal agent with household implements. All three individuals are now in custody, with the shooting victim hospitalized for non-life-threatening leg injuries.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declined to speculate on Trump’s potential invocation of the Insurrection Act when questioned outside the White House Thursday, stating merely that ‘It’s his constitutional right’ to utilize such measures.

The controversy extends beyond street-level confrontations. Newly released data reveals ICE recorded 30 detention fatalities in 2025, setting a tragic agency record. A Washington Post investigation indicates the forthcoming homicide declaration regarding 55-year-old Cuban immigrant Lunas Campos, whose preliminary cause of death was identified as asphyxia due to neck and chest compression.

White House officials remained defiant amid mounting criticism. Senior adviser Stephen Miller accused Minnesota authorities of deliberately inciting ‘violent insurrection,’ while press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted media complicity in the escalating violence. The administration continues to pursue its aggressive immigration agenda despite numerous court challenges and mass protests organized under the anti-authoritarian mantra ‘No Kings.’

WASHINGTON, United States – In an unprecedented political maneuver, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during a White House meeting on Thursday. The symbolic gesture aimed at winning Trump’s support came after the American leader had previously expressed that he deserved the award for his self-proclaimed efforts in conflict resolution.

The meeting occurred against the backdrop of complex geopolitical shifts following the January 3rd U.S. military operation that deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Despite Machado’s democratic credentials, Trump has notably thrown his support behind Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former vice president, who now leads an interim government conditional on her adherence to Washington’s directives, particularly regarding access to Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves.

Machado, 58, addressed reporters outside the U.S. Capitol following her legislative meetings, characterizing the medal presentation as ‘recognition for [Trump’s] unique commitment with our freedom.’ The status of the Nobel medal remained unclear after their private discussion, compounded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s stipulation that prizes are non-transferable.

The diplomatic landscape grew increasingly complex as Rodriguez delivered Maduro’s state of the nation address to Venezuela’s parliament while the deposed leader remains incarcerated in New York on drug trafficking charges. Rodriguez asserted her government’s readiness for diplomatic confrontation with Washington, stating they were ‘not afraid to confront them diplomatically, through political dialogue.’

Concurrently, U.S. forces seized a sixth oil tanker as part of efforts to control Venezuela’s energy sector, while the first U.S.-brokered oil sale worth approximately $500 million was finalized. Rodriguez announced planned reforms to Venezuela’s oil legislation, though specifics remained undisclosed.

The White House acknowledged Machado as a ‘remarkable and brave voice’ for Venezuelans but provided no timeline for potential elections. The administration did welcome Rodriguez’s release of dozens of political prisoners, though hundreds reportedly remain detained.

Meanwhile, Cuba honored 32 soldiers killed during the operation that toppled Maduro, including members of his protection team, in a ceremony attended by revolutionary leader Raul Castro, highlighting the ongoing regional repercussions of Venezuela’s political transformation.