-
TOPIC
 / people

Nicolas Maduro

Nicolas Maduro
The latest news and top stories on Nicolas Maduro, the former president of Venezuela in US custody. After more than a decade in power, Maduro’s tenure effectively ended on January 3, 2026, when he was abducted by US special forces during a pre-dawn raid on his Caracas compound. He and his wife, Cilia Flores, were subsequently exfiltrated to New York City to face narcotrafficking charges.
Relatives hold a vigil calling for the release of their loved ones outside the Rodeo I prison in Guatire, Venezuela on Friday. On Sunday, a Venezuelan rights group ‍said 80 people considered political prisoners had been released. Photo: AP
US-Venezuela conflict

At least 80 political prisoners released in Venezuela, rights group leader says

Alfredo Romero, director of Foro Penal, said more releases are likely and interim president Rodriguez will verify release lists with the UN.

videocam
China’s navy

What Chinese navy’s first Uruguay port call reveals about Beijing’s ambitions

videocam
US-Venezuela conflict

Trump says US used secret ‘discombobulator’ weapon in Maduro raid

videocam
27
US-Venezuela conflict

US kills 2 in first known strike on alleged drug boat since Maduro’s capture

The attack left one survivor, and the coastguard has been notified to launch search and rescue operations.

Footage posted by US Southern Command on Friday shows a boat moving through the water before exploding in flames. Image: X/Southcom
United States

Opinion | From Venezuela to Greenland, Trump is using US power to rewrite the rules

What troubles many is the inconsistency emanating from Washington. When power underwrites rules, principles become negotiable.

videocam
US-Venezuela conflict

US letting China buy Venezuela oil but not at ‘unfair’ Maduro prices: official

The US says it will control the Latin American nation’s oil sales indefinitely after seizing its leader.

18
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US-Venezuela conflict

US says Venezuela’s interim president to visit as relations shift post-Maduro

Delcy Rodriguez says she’s approaching any US talks ‘without fear’ after a senior US official said she would visit Washington soon.

US President Donald Trump has so far appeared happy to allow Delcy Rodriguez and much of her government to remain in power. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Opinion | Why China’s response to Trump’s chaos will be to wait and watch

Although the US president’s destabilising actions might seem like an opportunity for Beijing, it is likely to opt for strategic patience.

videocam
Americas and the Caribbean

US forces seize seventh sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela

MV Sagitta is the latest ship linked to Venezuela that the US has captured since early December.

8
US-Venezuela conflict

China sends emergency food aid to Cuba as US sanctions worsen shortages

First batch of rice arrives in Cuba under new Chinese programme while the island reels from abrupt halt in Venezuelan oil shipments.

videocam
7
Workers in Havana, Cuba stack donated rice that arrived from China on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
United States

Opinion | Why isn’t Trump learning from past foreign policy mistakes?

From Venezuela and Iran to Greenland and Canada, US interventions and threats risk spillovers and retaliation – as history shows.

Illustration: Craig Stephens
United States

Open Questions | Why US raid on Venezuela could ‘work to China’s advantage’: John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar says US could easily take Greenland, while regime change in Tehran would be more difficult.

videocam
28
US-Venezuela conflict

Opinion | Trump’s Venezuela raid a rude awakening for Russia and China

The US abduction of Venezuela’s president showed Russia could do little to protect its ally while China’s economic ties were put at risk.

videocam
United States

Before Maduro’s capture in Venezuela, US spoke with hardline interior minister

Some politicians in Washington have questioned why the US did not grab Diosdado Cabello during its operation to seize Maduro.

Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello attends a ceremony last week honouring military and security personnel who died during a US raid to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas. Photo: Reuters
United States

US’ FAA warns airlines to ‘potential risks’ in Mexican, South American airspace

The warnings come a month after a JetBlue passenger jet almost collided with a US Air Force tanker plane near Venezuela ‌.

videocam
A US Air Force F22-Raptor takes off from the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico on January 4. Photo: AFP
US-Venezuela conflict

Counting China’s ‘swing nation’ wins and losses in new era of power rivalry

As US-China race for hi-tech resources heats up across Global South, countries caught in the middle are under pressure to strike a balance.

videocam
16
US-Venezuela conflict

Machado says Venezuela will be free with support of Trump

The opposition leader earlier presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump in a bid to win over the US president.

videocam
50
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US-China relations

Tesla’s defeat, Harvard’s success, Beijing’s shock: 7 US-China relations reads

From China’s EV power to Hegseth’s new threat, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in the first half of January 2026.

Practitioners perform martial art next to a BYD Sealion 7 electric vehicle at Singapore Motorshow on January 9. Photo: AFP
US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela’s Machado says she ‘presented’ her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

US president praises Machado for her ‘wonderful’ gesture as he warms to Venezuela’s new leaders.

36
US-Venezuela conflict

Washington completes first sale of Venezuelan oil ‘in US$500 million deal’

The White House official, who did not identify the buyer, said additional sales could take place in the coming days or weeks.

11
United States

US seizes sixth sanctioned tanker as it tightens grip on Venezuela’s oil

The predawn ship raid marks the fourth seizure since the US capture of Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3.

9
US personnel aboard the tanker Veronica at sea. Photo: US Southern Command via X
United States

Macroscope | Investors are giving Trump a free pass

Markets, especially bond markets, are meant to be a disciplining force. Their inaction will only embolden Trump to act more recklessly.

videocam
A video of US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell plays on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on January 12. Powell has rejected the Trump administration’s claims of wrongdoing against him, calling them a pretext for punishing him for not cutting interest rates as fast as US President Donald Trump desired. Photo: AP
US-Venezuela conflict

Trump prevails in US Senate showdown over Venezuela war powers

A 51–50 vote kills war powers resolution after Trump pressure flips two key Republican defectors.

US-Venezuela conflict

Trump praises Venezuela’s ‘terrific’ interim president after call

After sidelining Venezuela’s opposition, the US president touts ‘tremendous progress’ on oil and security with Maduro’s former deputy.

videocam
Vladimir Putin

How Putin’s focus on Ukraine war leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba exposed

Russia’s war in Ukraine leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba vulnerable, exposing security failures and eroding trust in Moscow’s global influence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the Kremlin during their May 2025 meeting in Moscow. Photo: Reuters
US-Venezuela conflict

Letters | The strategic calculations behind Trump’s Venezuela raid

Readers discuss the objectives of the US raid on Venezuela, why the episode pleases China and Russia, and how to help Shenzhen shine as a global city.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House in Washington on January 9. Trump aims to convince them to support his plans for Venezuela. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

Matricide in Indonesia, Philippine Airlines’ viral video: 7 Asia highlights

From India becoming the world’s fourth largest economy to Philippine Airlines’ viral safety video, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Mexico

Sheinbaum tells Trump US military intervention in Mexico ‘unnecessary’

Mexico’s president said she rejected Trump’s offer of sending the US military after the cartels in her country.

5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement