Venezuela

US intercepts Iran-linked oil tanker en route from Caribbean to Indian Ocean

'The vessel tried to defy President [Donald] Trump’s quarantine, hoping to slip away,' a DoD statement read, adding, 'By land, air, or sea, we will find you and deliver justice.'

|ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
US troops are seen boarding an oil tanker breaching Washington's blockade on sanctioned vessels traveling to or from Venezuela, February 15, 2026.
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez looks on following a meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright at Miraflores Palace, Caracas, Venezuela, February 11, 2026.

Maduro still 'legitimate president' of Venezuela, acting leader Delcy Rodriguez tells NBC

Venezuela's Delcy Rodriguez defends Maduro as the rightful leader and signals diplomatic progress with the US, amid growing cooperation and oil sales.

|ByJAMES GENN
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks during the sixth meeting of the Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) in Athens, Greece, November 6, 2025. 

US-led oil sales from Venezuela to bring in $5 billion in months, energy chief Wright tells NBC

Much of the oil is being refined in US refineries, and the administration of US President Donald Trump has handed over proceeds from the sales to Venezuela’s interim government, Chris Wright said.

|ByREUTERS
Oil tanker Bronco sits anchored in Lake Maracaibo, near the Bajo Grande crude port operated by state oil company PDVSA, in Maracaibo, Venezuela, February 9, 2026. (Ilustration)

Venezuela sends first oil shipment to Israel in years in sign of relations improving - Bloomberg

Israel's Bazan Group will be responsible for transporting the cargo, according to the report, although authorities have not publicly disclosed this.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN

Trump threatens tariffs on any nation supplying Cuba with oil

US President Donald Trump announces potential tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba, ramping up pressure on the island’s leadership.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByREUTERS
An illustration of the flags of Cuba and the US, with a rift in between.

Trump eases Venezuela oil sanctions to boost US investment

The Trump administration eases some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector, allowing US companies to invest, but excludes firms from China, Russia, and other rivals.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByREUTERS
An illustration of oil rigs over a background of a Venezuelan flag.

Does Trump want a nuke, ballistic missile deal with Iran or regime change? - analysis

Trump was so excited after he succeeded at regime change in Venezuela that he figured, why not do the same in Iran? His issue, however, is that he caught Venezuela Syndrome.

JANUARY 29, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
U.S. President Donald Trump walks during the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026.

US handing over seized tanker to Venezuela, officials say

The US hands back the Panama‑flagged M/T Sophia to Venezuela, marking the first reversal of such a seizure under the Trump administration.

JANUARY 29, 2026ByREUTERS
The Guinea-flagged oil tanker MT Bandra, which is under sanctions, is partially seen alongside another vessel at El Palito terminal, near Puerto Cabello, Venezuela December 29, 2025; illustrative.

How media decides which deaths count and which events matter - analysis

How psychological warfare is waged not by lies but by deciding which events are allowed to matter.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByPAULA SLIER
View of an illustration depicting captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in downtown Caracas.

Atomic scientists set 'Doomsday Clock' closer to midnight than ever

This was the third time in the past four years that the scientists moved the clock closer to midnight.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByREUTERS
The location of the minute hand on its Doomsday Clock has been revealed, indicating what world developments mean for the perceived likelihood of nuclear catastrophe, during a town-hall in Washington, DC, US, January 23, 2026.

'Must be held accountable': Trump admin. sued over deaths in boat strike off Venezuela's coast

The Center for Constitutional Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union filed the novel lawsuit under the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByREUTERS
Family members of Chad Joseph who believe Joseph was killed in a US military strike on a boat in the Caribbean, sit together as his family demands evidence to support US President Donald Trump’s claim that the victims were drug traffickers, in Las Cuevas, Trinidad and Tobago October 16, 2025.

As US forces build up, Trump weighs limited strikes to shake Iran’s regime - analysis

One of the challenges facing President Trump in deciding how to strike is the fact that protests have significantly diminished after weeks of murders by the regime inside Iran.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the Strait of Hormuz as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Nightdippers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 lifts off from the flight deck November 19, 2019.

Venezuela frees at least 104 political prisoners as interim government continues releases

They were released from prisons across the country, and more releases were likely taking place, said Alfredo Romero, the director of Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByREUTERS
A person holds a Venezuelan flag as Venezuelans living in Costa Rica demonstrate for a democratic transition, after the US launched strikes on Venezuela, capturing its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in San Jose, Costa Rica January 4, 2026

Trump’s first year back in office expanded Israel’s freedom of action - opinion

Beyond Iran and Gaza, US President Donald Trump quietly expanded Israel’s strategic and legal room for maneuver.

JANUARY 25, 2026ByZAKI SHALOM
US President Donald Trump looks on after signing executive orders inside the Capital One Arena on the inauguration day of his second presidential term, in Washington, January 20, 2025.