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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.
US President Donald Trump (right) spoke with Colombian President Gustavo Petro over the phone on Wednesday. Photos: AFP
Donald Trump

Trump says Colombia’s Petro to visit US, in U-turn from threats to diplomacy

Just days ago, Trump had issued a warning to the South American leader for criticising the US attack that removed Venezuela’s Maduro.

United States

US seizes fifth tanker as Washington escalates bid to control Venezuela’s oil

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US-Cuba relations

How far is China willing to help Cuba in face of increasing US pressure?

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China-Latin America relations

China says it is ‘deeply committed’ to Venezuela as ambassador meets new leader

Interim president Delcy Rodriguez thanked Beijing for its ‘firm and consistent’ stance following the abduction of Nicolas Maduro.

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Venezuela interim president Delcy Rodriguez meets Chinese ambassador Lan Hu. Photo: Handout
United States

As I see it | Welcome, world, to the American jungle

Far from deterring China and Russia, the operation signals that brute force, not international law, now defines American action.

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Greenland

Greenland. Greenland. Greenland. Why is Trump so fixed on the US having it?

Denmark says it’s not for sale and people on the island seem opposed to being owned by the United States.

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US-China relations

Trump’s comment that Taiwan issue is ‘up to Xi’ stirs defence concern in Taipei

In a New York Times interview, the US president says he does not believe the island would be attacked during his term.

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US President Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that the Venezuelan operation could set a precedent in the Taiwan Strait. Photo: Getty Images
South Korea

Top Seoul official calls Venezuela raid ‘violent atrocity’, stirring unease

Park Seok-woon, head of a panel in the Prime Minister’s Office, faces scrutiny for denouncing US toppling of Maduro at a rally in Seoul.

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China trade

With US focused on Venezuela, China has window to pressure Japan: analysts

Beijing’s trade actions raise stakes with Tokyo, as China’s rare earth power and Japan’s chip dominance are seen as potentially key levers in their bilateral dispute.

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Venezuela

Venezuela frees opposition figures and activists, which Trump says US requested

The releases are the first by Venezuela’s new leaders in an apparent concession to the US after its ouster of Nicolas Maduro.

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Bolivarian National Police unload riot control gear outside the Helicoide detention centre in Caracas before the release of foreign and Venezuelan prisoners. Photo: Reuters
North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Donald Trump

US Senate rebukes Trump on Venezuela with war powers vote

Five Republicans join Democrats in a 52-47 vote to limit further military action as the president eyes Greenland next.

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France

France’s Macron slams US over Venezuela, Greenland actions

The French President condemned Washington’s isolationism after the capture of Venezuela’s leader and designs to take over the Danish territory.

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United States

China and US coexistence in Venezuela possible, US energy chief says

Chris Wright sees a constructive role for Beijing but insists Washington must remain the dominant force controlling Venezuela’s oil flows.

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US Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright attends an event in New York City in September 2025. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Trump wants US$1.5 trillion for military. Will China boost spending too?

Analysts say Donald Trump’s military budget proposal aims to blunt China’s influence, but some dismiss the spending plan as ‘fanciful’.

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US President Donald Trump says his administration’s tariffs on other countries will help fund his proposed increase in defence spending. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s Sinopec, CNAF to undergo consolidation, creating energy powerhouse

State Council approves reorganisation between Sinopec and China National Aviation Fuel Group, state asset regulator says.

Venezuela

Opinion | US invasion of Venezuela no guarantee of hemispheric dominance

By signalling how far it will go to defend its interests in Venezuela, the US might have intensified conflicts closer to home rather than resolving them.

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US-China relations

China says US seizure of Russian-flagged tanker breached international law

The vessel and another one taken in the Caribbean have been accused of trying to evade US sanctions on Venezuelan oil.

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The Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, was seized in the Atlantic after a two-week chase. Photo: AFP
China stock market

Macroscope | Chinese stocks could be biggest winner of Venezuela fallout

Amid rising fears over an AI bubble and geopolitical strife, China’s push for self-reliance has left it more insulated from global storms.

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Venezuela

‘Odious debt’: why China is at risk of painful losses in post-Maduro Venezuela

China has lent Venezuela tens of billions of dollars in recent decades. But Caracas could simply declare those obligations void, analysts say.

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China-North Korea relations

North Korea’s Kim set to grab nuclear security blanket after Venezuela operation

Xi will ‘continue to support Kim if he sees the US and its allies undercutting China’s own influence in the region’, analyst says.

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Kim Jong-un oversees a hypersonic missile launch drill on Sunday, according to the North Korean state news agency. Photo: KCNA via AP
Venezuela

Letters | What US military action in Venezuela looks like to Southeast Asia

Readers discuss the possible repercussions of the Venezuela raid, and water supplies management in Hong Kong.

Motorcyclists queue at a petrol station in Caracas on January 3, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela remains an important energy producer and instability could add volatility to global oil markets. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

Trump invites Colombia’s president to White House after threat of military strike

Invitation comes days after Trump accused Colombia’s Gustavo Petro of ‘making cocaine’ and warning of US intervention.

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Russia

US won’t rule out pressuring Venezuela to curb China, Russia ties

White House vows continued ‘American dominance in the western hemisphere’ as Trump claims Caracas will now buy ‘only American-made’ products.

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United States

AI deepfakes flood social media after dramatic US raid on Maduro

Fake images of Venezuela’s abducted former leader Nicolas Maduro in US custody and recycled war photos are drowning out real news.

Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are escorted to a Manhattan court to face US federal charges on Monday. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Explainer | Trump says Greenland is ‘surrounded’ by Chinese ships. What’s the real story?

China has engaged with Greenland in areas ranging from oil and minerals to tourism. But its footprint is far smaller than Trump claims.

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Icebergs float in the water off Nuuk, Greenland. The United States aims to acquire Greenland, which is a self-governing Danish territory. Photo: AFP
Venezuela

US to take control of Venezuela oil sales indefinitely after tanker seizures

Trump says Venezuela ‘stole’ US oil and vowed that proceeds from crude would be sold and controlled by him to benefit both countries.

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Mainland China

China blasts US for ‘blatant interference’ after Trump claims Venezuela’s oil

Beijing says Caracas has ‘full permanent sovereignty over all its natural resources’.

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