News Live

Delcy Rodríguez: "If I ever had to go to Washington, I would go standing and walking, not crawling."

Venezuelan opposition leader Machado presented Trump with the Nobel Peace Medal

Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez said Thursday her government was "not afraid" of diplomatic confrontation with the United States, which ousted her predecessor Nicolas Maduro in a January 3 military strike. "We know they are very powerful, we know they are a lethal nuclear power... We are not afraid to confront them diplomatically, through political dialogue," said Rodriguez -- a Maduro ally who US President Donald Trump has agreed to work with provided she toes Washington's line.

María Corina will speak to the press after a meeting with members of Congress at the Capitol

The United States has seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela. Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of Defense in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), through the Department of Homeland Security (DHSgov) and the Department of Justice (TheJusticeDept). In another predawn action, Marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, departed the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and detained the tanker Veronica without incident. The Veronica is the latest tanker to operate in defiance of the quarantine imposed by President Trump on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean, demonstrating once again the effectiveness of the U.S. Coast Guard's efforts to combat illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere.

The Trump administration is preparing to use private military contractors to protect oil & energy assets in Venezuela rather than deploying US troops, sources tell, setting up a potential boon for security firms with experience in region & ties to POTUS

Trump meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado tomorrow at 12:30pm

Trump tells Reuters' @steveholland1 he expects to go to Venezuela and also to welcome @delcyrodriguezv, the interim president of Venezuela, to Washington: "I think she's (Delcy) going to come, you know, eventually she's going to. not quite yet, but eventually she'll come and I'll go to their country too."

Donald Trump says he had a "long conversation" with Delcy Rodríguez

Trump: "And another piece of information that I think is very important is the leaker has been found and is in jail right now, and that's the leaker on Venezuela. Very bad leaker. So there could be some others, and we'll let you know about that. We're hot on their trail. But the leaker has been found, and the leaker's in jail, and will probably be in jail for a long time. Let's see what happens."

Venezuela says it is still working to identify some of the victims of the US bombing raid in which leader Nicolas Maduro was captured ten days ago

Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said authorities have seized over 7 tons of illicit drugs so far in 2026

The U.S. has filed for court warrants to seize dozens more tankers linked to the Venezuelan oil trade, per @Reuters, as Washington consolidates control of oil shipments in and out of the South American country

At least 20% of Russia's shadow tanker fleet has been stopped, and Russia is trying to compensate for losses with new vessels, Zelenskyy said.

Cuba will repatriate on Thursday the bodies of the 32 soldiers who died in Venezuela

Alejandro González, Rocío's husband, has just been released, along with 20 other political prisoners from Rodeo 1.

Donald Trump announces on Truth Social that Venezuela will no longer supply oil to Cuba. "Cuba survived for many years thanks to Venezuela's oil and money. In return, Cuba provided 'security services' to the last two Venezuelan dictators, but not anymore. Most of those Cubans are dead following last week's US attack, and Venezuela no longer needs protection from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years. Venezuela now has the United States, the most powerful military in the world (by far.), to protect them, and we will protect them. NO MORE OIL OR MONEY FOR CUBA. ZERO. I strongly suggest you come to an agreement before it's too late. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT"

Chevron sees pathway to grow Venezuela production by 50%, US energy secretary says

Trump on Venezuelan oil: We're open for business. China can buy all the oil it wants from us, whether it's there or in the United States. Russia can also get all the oil it needs from us. China, Russia, and all other countries are welcome to do business. We'll be open.

Trump: "Today's meeting will be almost exclusively a discussion about Venezuelan oil, and our long-term relationship with Venezuela, its security and its people."

Trump: "A very important factor in this will be the reduction of oil prices for the American people."

Colombian President Gustavo Petro tells @lilialuciano that Venezuelan society would “implode” if the United States were to "run Venezuela for years," responding directly to comments made by President Trump

US officials told Al Arabiya: Our forces are pursuing two ships in the South American region.

Venezuelan government: We have begun exploring diplomatic opportunities to restore relations with U.S.

US State Dept. Team Arrives In Venezuela For First Time Since Maduro’s Capture - CNN

SOUTHCOM has released footage of the boarding and seizure of the oil tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea

US Southern Command: 'Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: “there is no safe haven for criminals.” In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford and apprehended Motor/Tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea without incident. Apprehensions like this are backed by the full power of the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, including the ready and lethal platforms of the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale. The Department of War’s Operation Southern Spear is unwavering in its mission to defend our homeland by ending illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere.'

WSJ: The U.S. Coast Guard boarded a fifth oil tanker early this morning, according to two U.S. officials. The tanker targeted today was the Olina, said the officials and Vanguard, a shipping security and tracking company. The ship, previously named the Minerva M, was sanctioned by the U.S. for its role in transporting Russian oil

The US ‍is in the process of seizing ‍the Olina tanker in the Caribbean near Trinidad in the fifth such ⁠interdiction of ships in recent weeks as part of Washington’s efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports, a US official says

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the United States had released two Russian crew members from a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized on Wednesday in the Atlantic Ocean