标签： Jamaica

WASHINGTON, United States — In a significant diplomatic development, the United States has indicated its willingness to engage with Venezuela’s governing authorities under specific conditions following the dramatic removal of President Nicolas Maduro. Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated this position during a Sunday appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” program, emphasizing that future relations would be contingent on Caracas’ political decisions.

Rubio stated that American officials would carefully evaluate actions rather than rhetoric from Venezuela’s remaining leadership, suggesting that Washington maintains substantial influence mechanisms regardless of Caracas’ choices. The Secretary’s comments represent the first explicit framework for potential normalization of relations between the two nations after what he characterized as a “necessary intervention” in the oil-rich South American country.

The diplomatic overture comes amid regional uncertainty about Venezuela’s political future and the potential restructuring of its energy sector, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Rubio’s conditional approach indicates the Biden administration’s strategy of maintaining pressure while offering cooperation pathways, reflecting the complex geopolitical calculations surrounding Venezuela’s transition period.

Analysts suggest this represents a calibrated attempt to encourage democratic reforms while protecting American interests in a region where Chinese and Russian influence has grown during Maduro’s controversial presidency. The Secretary’s remarks did not specify which Venezuelan officials might qualify as acceptable partners, leaving open questions about the practical implementation of this new diplomatic position.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Caribbean leaders have adopted a position of cautious deliberation as Venezuela faces unprecedented political turmoil following the dramatic detainment of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by United States authorities. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley characterized the rapidly evolving situation as “uncharted territory” during an emergency press conference on Saturday.

The emergency response was coordinated through the Caribbean Community (Caricom), with Mottley confirming she had been in contact with fellow regional leaders and Caricom Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett since early morning. An urgent pre-dawn meeting of Caricom heads yielded a consensus to withhold definitive commentary until more information emerges about the extraordinary developments.

Mottley emphasized Barbados’s fundamental foreign policy principle: “Small states can only survive in the international rules-based order.” This foundational position informs Bridgetown’s grave concern about any actions that undermine established international norms. The Prime Minister noted that both Venezuela and the United States maintain friendly relations with Barbados, creating a delicate diplomatic balancing act.

The crisis escalated when former U.S. President Donald Trump announced American intentions to administer Venezuela temporarily while facilitating a “safe, proper and judicious transition.” Trump further pledged that U.S. oil companies would rehabilitate Venezuela’s infrastructure. These statements contrasted sharply with Venezuela’s Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez’s assertion that Maduro remains the country’s legitimate president, despite photographic evidence circulated by Trump showing Maduro blindfolded aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

Maduro faces serious indictments in New York federal court on narcotics and weapons charges, with the U.S. having previously offered a $50 million bounty for information leading to his capture. Venezuela has responded by declaring a national emergency and condemning what it terms “extremely serious military aggression.”

Mottley urged patience as the situation continues to develop hourly, describing any premature statement as mere “conjecture.” She expressed hope for de-escalation and dialogue rather than continued conflict, emphasizing that war serves no nation’s interests. The Prime Minister anticipates United Nations involvement to properly address the escalating international crisis.

In an unprecedented global display of emotion, millions of Venezuelan exiles erupted in celebration following the capture of their former leader, Nicolas Maduro, by United States military forces. The operation, which culminated in Maduro’s extradition to New York to face narcotics trafficking allegations, triggered spontaneous gatherings across international capitals from Santiago to Madrid.

Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, which shelters the largest contingent of nearly three million displaced Venezuelans, witnessed scenes of profound emotional release. Kevin Zambrano, a hairdresser who fled a decade ago, expressed uncontainable joy, stating his gratitude for what he termed ‘the first step’ toward national liberation. Similarly, in Santiago, street vendor Yurimar Rojas voiced a sentiment echoed by countless others: ‘At last we’ll be able to go back home.’

The celebrations, however, were tempered by geopolitical complexities and internal divisions. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would temporarily ‘run’ Venezuela pending a stable political transition, a declaration that drew immediate condemnation from Maduro’s Vice-President, Delcy Rodriguez, who asserted that Maduro remains the nation’s ‘only president.’

Amid the euphoria, poignant personal stories emerged. Yeiner Benitez, a security guard in Bogotá, tearfully recounted the tragic death of his uncle due to medication shortages—a direct consequence of Venezuela’s economic collapse. His narrative underscored the profound human toll of the crisis that drove nearly eight million citizens into exile.

Not all responses were celebratory. In Mexico City, protesters gathered outside the U.S. embassy, brandishing signs that read ‘No to war’ and warning against what they perceived as neo-colonial resource extraction. Mario Benitez, leading the demonstration, urged Venezuelans to resist foreign intervention and protect national sovereignty.

The events set the stage for a complex power struggle, with opposition figure Maria Corina Machado delivering a galvanizing message of hope to supporters in Madrid, while the current administration in Caracas vowed to defend the nation’s sovereignty. The path forward remains uncertain, balancing exiles’ dreams of return against the challenges of rebuilding a shattered nation.