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  • Barbados already feeling fallout from Venezuela crisis – PM

    Barbados already feeling fallout from Venezuela crisis – PM

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has confirmed her nation is experiencing direct economic consequences from the escalating Venezuelan crisis, with significant disruptions to aviation and tourism operations occurring within hours of the U.S. military intervention in Caracas.

    Addressing media at Ilaro Court on Saturday, Mottley characterized the Venezuelan situation as “uncharted territory” and warned that the predicted vulnerabilities of small states were materializing in real time. The Prime Minister revealed that Barbados had been impacted “on multiple fronts” during the preceding 24 hours, prompting an emergency National Security Council meeting shortly after 1 a.m.

    The most immediate effect was on air transportation, with 13 fully-booked inbound flights canceled overnight following airspace restrictions across eastern and southern Caribbean regions. U.S.-registered carriers including JetBlue, Delta, and United were particularly affected, while European carrier KLM also canceled services despite not operating from the United States. Three long-haul international flights were similarly grounded, though major transatlantic operators including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada and WestJet maintained normal operations.

    Maritime operations faced parallel challenges, with Barbados—as the closest major tourism hub to Venezuela—managing four cruise ships already in port and anticipating a fifth vessel requiring maintenance. Port capacity for overnight berthing underwent urgent review, with some vessels potentially needing to anchor offshore and utilize tender services. Approximately 2,000 cruise passengers faced potential disruption from flight cancellations, while 73 travelers were directly stranded by the cancellation of a Conviasa flight scheduled to return to Caracas.

    The government has activated a coordinated response involving law enforcement, immigration, tourism authorities, port operations, airport management, and the Barbados Defence Force. Officials are collaborating with the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association to identify accommodation for stranded passengers, with hotel capacity remaining adequate due to canceled arrivals preventing new visitors from entering the country.

    Prime Minister Mottley additionally addressed concerns about Barbadian citizens potentially delayed overseas following Christmas travel, assuring families that authorities were “on top of helping with your relatives who may be stranded.”

    Regarding Barbados’ diplomatic position, Mottley emphasized commitment to regional consultation through CARICOM and adherence to international law, stating: “Venezuela is our friend, the United States of America is our friend. The Caribbean Community has been the entity we have chosen as a matter of first principles to align our foreign policy with.” She confirmed participation in an emergency CARICOM Heads of Government meeting convened at approximately 5 a.m., which produced a regional statement, though not all leaders could attend due to the timing.

    While some regional airspace closures had been lifted in Curaçao and French territories, Mottley cautioned that stability remained contingent on further developments within Venezuela, describing the situation as “a moving target” that would require continuous public updates.

  • Canadian politicians decry US attack on Venezuela

    Canadian politicians decry US attack on Venezuela

    Canadian political leaders expressed sharply divergent views regarding reported U.S. military operations in Venezuela, creating a notable split in foreign policy perspectives. The development followed confirmation from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding American intervention in the South American nation.

    Interim New Democratic Party Leader Don Davies took to social media to condemn the alleged operations, characterizing them as “a flagrant violation of international law and the rules-based system that the United States claims to support.” Davies urged the Canadian government to “strongly condemn this attack and call for an immediate end to the US aggression against the sovereign state of Venezuela.”

    Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet echoed these concerns, warning that the United States appeared to be “acting as a policeman at the risk of ignoring international law.” Blanchet specifically criticized the purported use of military force that “endangers the lives of civilians” and the reported kidnapping of Venezuelan leadership, even while acknowledging questions about their legitimacy.

    In contrast, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre broke with international legal conventions by expressing support for American bombings in multiple Venezuelan states and the alleged capture of constitutional President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

    The political division emerged alongside President Trump’s press conference statements explicitly acknowledging U.S. interests in Venezuelan oil resources. During the briefing, Trump made clear that countries failing to align with White House directives regarding Venezuela would face consequences, signaling a firm stance on international compliance with American foreign policy objectives.

  • No reports of Barbadians injured in Venezuela, says Mottley

    No reports of Barbadians injured in Venezuela, says Mottley

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has issued a public assurance regarding the safety of Barbadian citizens in Venezuela amid the rapidly evolving political situation following a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

    During a press briefing held on Saturday, Prime Minister Mottley revealed that she has maintained direct communication with Barbados’ Ambassador to Venezuela, Aquinas Clarke, since the early hours of the morning when news of the operation broke. Mottley emphasized that Ambassador Clarke, leveraging his military background, has demonstrated exceptional composure and leadership in managing the situation on the ground.

    “We have received no evidence or reports indicating injuries to any Barbadian nationals currently in Venezuela,” Mottley stated, expressing gratitude for the safety of her country’s citizens despite the volatile circumstances.

    The Prime Minister characterized the situation as highly fluid, noting that her government maintains continuous contact with diplomatic personnel as events continue to develop. Mottley disclosed that she had conducted another conversation with Ambassador Clarke immediately prior to addressing media representatives, reinforcing Barbados’ commitment to remain actively engaged as the political landscape evolves.

    The government’s response highlights the careful monitoring of international crises and the protective measures implemented for citizens abroad during periods of geopolitical instability.

  • 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.

  • Delta cancels Caribbean flights after U.S. strike in Venezuela

    Delta cancels Caribbean flights after U.S. strike in Venezuela

    In a significant operational shift, Delta Air Lines has proactively canceled all flights to multiple Caribbean destinations in response to heightened regional tensions following a recent U.S. military strike in Venezuela. The airline’s decision, implemented as a precautionary safety measure, affects routes to airports in close proximity to Venezuelan airspace, including destinations in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as other Eastern Caribbean nations.

    The aviation disruption comes after U.S. forces conducted a targeted military operation on Venezuelan soil, escalating geopolitical friction in the Caribbean region. Delta’s risk assessment team determined that canceling these flights was necessary to ensure passenger safety and operational security despite no specific threats to commercial aviation.

    Affected passengers are being notified through multiple channels and offered full refunds or rebooking options on alternative routes. Aviation analysts note that such cancellations reflect standard protocol for airlines when operating near zones of political instability or military activity. Other U.S. carriers are monitoring the situation closely but have not yet announced similar widespread cancellations.

    The temporary suspension highlights how geopolitical events can immediately impact global transportation networks and commercial aviation decisions. Delta has stated it will continue to evaluate the security situation and resume normal operations when safety conditions are assured.

  • 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.