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Venezuela

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is situated on the northern coast of South America. Home to an estimated population of 29.1 million, it covers around 916,445 square kilometres which includes the Andes mountains and the Amazon Basin Rainforest. Its main export is oil. Venezuela was colonized by Spain in 1522 but continued resistance led in 1811 to it becoming the first Spanish American country to declare independence. A chequered political history followed which saw dictatorships rise and fall, as well as military coups.

Capital

Caracas

Head of State

President Nicolás Maduro

Head of Government

President Nicolás Maduro

Chinese telecommunication companies like Huawei could be marginalised after the US authorised new investment in Venezuela’s telecom sector. Photo: Shutterstoock

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.

25 Aug 2026 - 6:17AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

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

17 Aug 2026 - 10:33PMvideocam

Israel

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

12 Aug 2026 - 2:43AM

United States

Rights groups sue the Trump administration over ICC sanctions

Lawsuit says Trump’s executive order targeting the International Criminal Court for investigating Israeli crimes in Palestine is ‘illegal’.

12 Aug 2026 - 1:31AM

The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Photo: AP

Nicolas Maduro

In message from US jail, Maduro weighs in on Venezuela transition talks

Ex-president calls for ‘reconciliation’ ahead of US-backed meetings between the interim government and opposition.

3 Aug 2026 - 10:23AM

Crime

Colombia bombing near police station wounds 14 ahead of president’s inauguration

Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez blamed the National Liberation Army rebel group for the attack and offered a US$64,000 reward for information.

2 Aug 2026 - 6:08AM

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.

31 Jul 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

US Army soldiers cross a floating bridge on the Imjin River during a joint river-crossing exercise with South Korea as a part of the Freedom Shield military exercise in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on March 20, 2025. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

Brazil turns to China trade deal after Trump tariffs, as years of resistance end

Xi and Lula agree to fast track Mercosur trade talks, endorsing a deal Brasilia fought to bury when Uruguay first proposed it.

28 Jul 2026 - 5:13AMvideocam

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.

27 Jul 2026 - 11:05AM

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.

27 Jul 2026 - 11:34AM

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

US-Venezuela conflict

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.

23 Jul 2026 - 11:07AM

Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, along with their lawyers at a hearing in New York City. Image: Jane Rosenberg via Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

27 dead, 83 missing after passenger ferry capsizes off Guyana

Initial signs indicate that the ship flipped over after being hit by a big wave, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said.

21 Jul 2026 - 7:34AM

Natural disasters

Strong quake off Mexican coast rattles Guatemala and El Salvador

The tremor recalled the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, though there were no immediate reports of deaths or major damage.

18 Jul 2026 - 2:37AM

US-China relations

Trump intel pick to play ‘helpful’ role in agreeing economic strategy with China

Jay Clayton says US can still work together ‘on the world stage economically’ with Beijing despite the geopolitical challenges they face.

16 Jul 2026 - 5:08AMvideocam

Jay Clayton testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on his nomination to be the Director of National Intelligence in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Earthquakes

Quake-hit Venezuela faces looming health threats as survivors crowd shelters

Poor shelter conditions, lack of clean water and sanitation could leave many thousands vulnerable, PAHO says.

10 Jul 2026 - 12:56PM

A child sleeps inside a tent in a makeshift shelter in the aftermath of the June 24 earthquakes. Photo: Reuters

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.

7 Jul 2026 - 1:07PM

Earthquakes

Venezuela quakes survivor shares ordeal after 8 days buried alive

Security guard recalls surviving darkness, aftershocks and walls shifting before his miraculous rescue from a collapsed building.

6 Jul 2026 - 3:40PMvideocam

Natural disasters

Venezuela leader vows ‘no social unrest’ as quakes toll passes 3,300

Delcy Rodriguez defends emergency response amid growing public anger and UN estimates of up to 50,000 missing.

6 Jul 2026 - 11:36AMvideocam

Rescuers search the rubble of a collapsed building on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Natural disasters

Venezuela quake death toll rises to nearly 3,000

Tens of thousands remain missing, but international rescue efforts have started winding down.

5 Jul 2026 - 4:58AMvideocam

Natural disasters

Fallout from Venezuela’s quakes turns political, as Machado seeks return

Amid growing anger over the government’s disaster response, the exiled Nobel Peace laureate says the country needs ‘figures it can trust’.

4 Jul 2026 - 5:13AMvideocam

Earthquakes

Venezuela’s leader defends quake response as thousands remain missing

In her first press conference since taking power after Maduro’s capture by the US, Rodriguez lashes critics.

3 Jul 2026 - 4:01PMvideocam

Venezuela’s Interim President Delcy Rodriguez holds press conference on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Natural disasters

‘Truly a miracle’: man rescued from Venezuela rubble 8 days after twin quakes

Multinational teams tunnel through collapsed building to extract security guard as the death toll continues to rise.

3 Jul 2026 - 4:15PMvideocam

Hernan Gil after his rescue from the rubble on Thursday. Photo: AFP

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.

2 Jul 2026 - 10:30PM

United States

Venezuela faces post-quake medical crisis as threat of infections looms

A public health emergency in Venezuela, unless quickly controlled, could take more lives in the days and weeks ahead.

2 Jul 2026 - 4:25PMvideocam

Earthquakes

Video | Dog pulled from Venezuela rubble days after quakes

News of the rescue came as Venezuela’s death toll rose above 1,700 on Monday.

1 Jul 2026 - 6:16PM

00:38

Earthquakes

Video | Man digs through Venezuela quake debris to search for family

Quake victims have accused authorities of being too slow in mobilising rescue efforts including sending heavy equipment to help search for more survivors.

1 Jul 2026 - 3:50PM

‘We are going to keep at it’: Venezuela quake victim vows to keep digging for family

02:18

Nicolas Maduro

From raid to relief: US military aids Venezuela after twin earthquakes

US deploys forces and drone assets to spearhead relief, marking a stunning shift for a relationship upended by a raid six months ago.

1 Jul 2026 - 10:50PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Venezuela survivors pulled from rubble days after quakes

Amid diminishing hope, a preliminary assessment via satellite data says the two earthquakes likely damaged or destroyed 58,870 buildings.

30 Jun 2026 - 9:25PM

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Venezuela

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.

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

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

Rights groups sue the Trump administration over ICC sanctions

Lawsuit says Trump’s executive order targeting the International Criminal Court for investigating Israeli crimes in Palestine is ‘illegal’.

In message from US jail, Maduro weighs in on Venezuela transition talks

Ex-president calls for ‘reconciliation’ ahead of US-backed meetings between the interim government and opposition.

Colombia bombing near police station wounds 14 ahead of president’s inauguration

Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez blamed the National Liberation Army rebel group for the attack and offered a US$64,000 reward for information.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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.

Brazil turns to China trade deal after Trump tariffs, as years of resistance end

Xi and Lula agree to fast track Mercosur trade talks, endorsing a deal Brasilia fought to bury when Uruguay first proposed it.

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.

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.

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.

27 dead, 83 missing after passenger ferry capsizes off Guyana

Initial signs indicate that the ship flipped over after being hit by a big wave, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said.

Strong quake off Mexican coast rattles Guatemala and El Salvador

The tremor recalled the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, though there were no immediate reports of deaths or major damage.

Trump intel pick to play ‘helpful’ role in agreeing economic strategy with China

Jay Clayton says US can still work together ‘on the world stage economically’ with Beijing despite the geopolitical challenges they face.

Quake-hit Venezuela faces looming health threats as survivors crowd shelters

Poor shelter conditions, lack of clean water and sanitation could leave many thousands vulnerable, PAHO says.

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.

Venezuela quakes survivor shares ordeal after 8 days buried alive

Security guard recalls surviving darkness, aftershocks and walls shifting before his miraculous rescue from a collapsed building.

Venezuela leader vows ‘no social unrest’ as quakes toll passes 3,300

Delcy Rodriguez defends emergency response amid growing public anger and UN estimates of up to 50,000 missing.

Venezuela quake death toll rises to nearly 3,000

Tens of thousands remain missing, but international rescue efforts have started winding down.

Fallout from Venezuela’s quakes turns political, as Machado seeks return

Amid growing anger over the government’s disaster response, the exiled Nobel Peace laureate says the country needs ‘figures it can trust’.

Venezuela’s leader defends quake response as thousands remain missing

In her first press conference since taking power after Maduro’s capture by the US, Rodriguez lashes critics.

‘Truly a miracle’: man rescued from Venezuela rubble 8 days after twin quakes

Multinational teams tunnel through collapsed building to extract security guard as the death toll continues to rise.

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.

Venezuela faces post-quake medical crisis as threat of infections looms

A public health emergency in Venezuela, unless quickly controlled, could take more lives in the days and weeks ahead.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Dog pulled from Venezuela rubble days after quakes

News of the rescue came as Venezuela’s death toll rose above 1,700 on Monday.

Video | Man digs through Venezuela quake debris to search for family

Quake victims have accused authorities of being too slow in mobilising rescue efforts including sending heavy equipment to help search for more survivors.

From raid to relief: US military aids Venezuela after twin earthquakes

US deploys forces and drone assets to spearhead relief, marking a stunning shift for a relationship upended by a raid six months ago.

Venezuela survivors pulled from rubble days after quakes

Amid diminishing hope, a preliminary assessment via satellite data says the two earthquakes likely damaged or destroyed 58,870 buildings.

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

Video | Dog pulled from Venezuela rubble days after quakes