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US-Venezuela conflict

US-Venezuela conflict
The United States attacked Venezuela on January 3, 2026, abducted its leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife and placed them in detention in New York, in what was the most direct US military action in Latin America in nearly four decades.
A courtroom sketch shows ousted Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores appearing before Judge Alvin Hellerstein in New York on Thursday. Illustration: Jane Rosenberg via Reuters
Americas and the Caribbean

Shackled Maduro defies judge, calls US torture charges ‘false accusations’

Ousted Venezuelan leader and his wife Cilia Flores face expanded indictment alleging beatings, electric shocks and abuse of three Americans.

Venezuela

US hits Venezuela’s Maduro and wife with torture charges

Americas and the Caribbean

Maduro and wife to face new US charges over alleged torture of Americans

China-Latin America relations

China backs Cuba, Beijing’s Panama threat: 7 Latin America relations reads

From geopolitical alliances to a record-making UN vote, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in September 2026.

A man eats flour from a bag he found in a pile of rubbish on September 22, as conditions deteriorate in Cuba amid a US-imposed oil blockade. Photo: Reuters
Americas and the Caribbean

At UN, Venezuela’s acting president promises elections without setting date

Delcy Rodriguez vows ‘democratic transformation’ before the General Assembly while key rival remains exiled.

Venezuela

Exiled opposition leader tries to enter Venezuela as Rodriguez meets Trump in US

Maria Corina Machado blocked from returning as New York talks mark first encounter since Nicolas Maduro’s capture.

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Venezuela

Maduro’s wife seeks release from US jail, citing worsening heart condition

Lawyers request home confinement in New York for former Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores ahead of June trial.

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Cilia Flores and Nicolas Maduro being escorted by US law enforcement in New York City on January 5, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Cilia Flores and Nicolas Maduro at a court hearing in June. Image: Jane Rosenberg via Reuters
Cilia Flores and then-president Nicolas Maduro in Caracas in January, 2025. Photo: AP
Venezuela

Opinion | Trump’s Venezuela oil deal: why China can wait and watch

Beijing’s response reflects a calculation that the deal’s fragility will soon show. Energy dominance is not seized by executive order – it is earned through capital, technology and time.

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China-Latin America relations

Marco Rubio arrives in Colombia with China ties, trade deals on agenda

Washington’s top diplomat lands in Barranquilla on first leg of three-country tour, with critical minerals, civil nuclear deals to be signed.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Venezuela’s Maduro seeks dismissal of US charges, citing immunity

Nicolas Maduro’s lawyer says head-of-state immunity bars US prosecution over drug trafficking charges.

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One of two photos posted on former Venezuela leader Nicolas Maduro’s X account on August 30, 2026. Photo: @NicolasMaduro via X
Nicolas Maduro

‘Direct hit’: China dealt blow as US-backed firm takes over Venezuelan oilfields

Venezuela was the biggest recipient of China’s lending to Latin America, and Beijing is unlikely to recover debts, one analyst says.

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An oil refining plant of state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela in Anzoategui state, Venezuela. Photo: AFP
Venezuela

Trump says US to take control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuela oil reserves

The US president faces mounting pressure to address high petrol prices as Iran war hits a six-month milestone with no conclusion in sight.

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China-Latin America relations

US targets China’s telecoms grip in Venezuela with new sanctions carve-out

Move could test Huawei and ZTE’s long-standing foothold as Washington extends its China reach from oil to another strategic sector.

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China-Latin America relations

Rodriguez’s Castro tribute tests Venezuela’s balancing act between US and China

Beijing retains commercial interests in Venezuela even as analysts see Washington curbing its political and strategic influence.

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Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez’s tribute to late Cuban leader Fidel Castro drew an angry response from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: AP
Israel

Israel and Venezuela renew consular ties after 17 years of no diplomacy

Move comes after Israel sent aid to Venezuela following recent earthquakes. Venezuela broke ties with Israel after the start of the Gaza war.

A Venezuelan flag waves as people search for bodies in Caraballeda, La Guaira, after earthquakes in June. Israel sent aid to Venezuela following the earthquakes. Photo: Reuters
United States

As I see it | Despite immense power, the US delivers neither butter nor bullets

While Americans know they can’t get the welfare benefits they need, their leaders must realise their military can’t give them world domination.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Venezuela opposition leader says won’t take part in US-backed talks

Refusal by Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia deals a blow to Washington-backed efforts for political reconciliation.

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Cuba

Raul Castro absent as Cuba marks revolutionary anniversary

For the first time in over 30 years, the 95-year-old ex-president skips the July 26 rally.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and other officials on Sunday. Photo: EPA
Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela’s Maduro and wife back in US court, as judge sets 2027 trial date

Defence lawyers to seek dismissal of the drug-trafficking charges for the former president, claiming immunity.

US, Israel war on Iran

Assassinations unleashed under Trump haunt Iran war endgame

The killing of Iran’s leader and top general and the capture of Venezuela’s president mark a new paradigm in international relations.

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Cuba

More hardship in fuel-starved Cuba, hit by third nationwide blackout this year

Cuba’s president slams Washington’s ‘strangulation’ of communist island as grid collapse leaves 9.6 million without power.

A woman walks on a street in Havana carrying a fan as Cuba endures another power failure. Photo: Reuters
China-Latin America relations

Aid for Venezuela, China-Colombia ties: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s move towards Beijing to Lula’s beef deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in June 2026.

A Brazilian rescuer works in the aftermath of earthquakes in Venezuela. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Open Questions | Sun is setting on US dominance of the world, Wu Xinbo says

Fudan University expert says while China’s influence grows, US under Trump has lost credibility and its ability to drive international action has stagnated.

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Venezuela

Over 100 Venezuelans deported from US missing after quakes level hotel

Their flight landed just hours before the disaster. Their families are searching for answers amid a soaring death toll.

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Natural disasters

Venezuelan boy pulled alive from rubble 3 days after deadly quakes

Residents clawed away rubble from collapsed buildings in search of survivors, amid public outrage over the government’s response.

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A US military helicopter takes off after delivering humanitarian aid in La Guaira, Venezuela, on Saturday. Photo: AP
Venezuelan crisis

In Venezuela, China’s oil-for-loan deals run into huge US-led debt restructuring

Beijing’s influence in Caracas seen fading, with Washington controlling Venezuela’s oil revenues and debt overhaul, potentially triggering a stand-off.

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China’s oil-for-loan mechanism with Venezuela could be affected by Washington's intervention in the country. Photo: Getty Images
Natural disasters

Venezuela twin quakes death toll hits 235 as rescuers comb rubble for survivors

Thousands are missing and many feared dead after the country was hit by two of the strongest tremors in over a century.

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United States

As Venezuela reels from earthquake disaster, a test for new US relationship

Washington’s swift disaster response clearest indication yet of how relationship with Caracas has evolved, but bigger challenges lie ahead.

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