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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

Fu Cong, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, addresses the Security Council during a meeting on the Middle East, at the UN headquarters in New York City, on February 18. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

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China-India relations

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China-Latin America relations

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21 May 2026 - 12:55PMvideocam

China-Russia relations

China and Russia warn US Golden Dome poses ‘clear threat’ to stability

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20 May 2026 - 10:02PM

China and Russia say the Golden Dome missile defence system initiated by US President Donald Trump would have “serious negative consequences for international security”. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

US plans to charge Raul Castro increases Trump administration’s pressure on Cuba

US Justice Department preparing to indict ageing Cuban leader on Wednesday over the shooting down of two aircraft three decades ago.

20 May 2026 - 4:03AMvideocam

Spain

Spain investigates ex-prime minister Zapatero over airline bailout scandal

This is the first time in Spain’s modern history that a former prime minister has been placed under formal investigation.

19 May 2026 - 8:53PM

United States

ICE agent charged over shooting of Venezuelan immigrant in Minnesota

Minnesota county charges Christian Castro in a non-fatal shooting during Trump’s immigration crackdown.

19 May 2026 - 1:27PM

Protesters clash with ICE agents in Minneapolis in January. Photo: TNS

US-Cuba relations

Cuba warns of ‘bloodbath’ if US attacks as Washington expands sanctions

Cuba’s president defends right to self-defence as US report claims the island has acquired more than 300 military drones.

19 May 2026 - 5:03PM

Diplomacy

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17 May 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Marco Rubio dons ‘Maduro look’ as he heads to China, sparking internet frenzy

Chinese social media users react to Rubio’s tracksuit photo, calling it a ‘meaningless gimmick’ and raising questions about sanctions.

13 May 2026 - 6:45PM

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) wears the grey Nike tracksuit made famous following the abduction of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro (right) by the US military in January. Photo composite: X/ @StevenCheung47, @WhiteHouse

United States

Trump says Cuba is seeking help, will hold talks

Trump had threatened that Cuba was ‘next’ after the US military seized ‌the leader of long-time Cuban ally Venezuela earlier this year.

12 May 2026 - 9:31PMvideocam

Trump’s administration has ‌also imposed a fuel blockade, curtailed US travel and ⁠remittances to Cuba. Photo: dpa

Diplomacy

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China-Latin America relations

Senate vote leaves Cuba’s uncertain future at dangerous crossroads

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1 May 2026 - 8:30AMvideocam

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has repeatedly ruled out political concessions to the US, insisting sovereignty and the country’s system of governance are non-negotiable. Photo: EPA

United States

First direct US-Venezuela commercial flight in 7 years heads to Caracas

For the past seven years, passengers have relied on international airlines and indirect routes through neighbouring Latin American countries.

30 Apr 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Panoramic view of Caracas, Venezuela. The resumption of US-Venezuela flights came after the US capture of then-president Nicolas Maduro in a stunning nighttime raid on his residence in Caracas in early January. Photo: Getty Images

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Russia

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‘The United States has officially declared that no one can dictate to it,’ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.

25 Apr 2026 - 9:29AMvideocam

Captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro heads towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face US federal charges in New York City in January. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

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24 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

US-Venezuela conflict

US soldier charged with using classified intel for Maduro removal bet

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China energy security

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22 Apr 2026 - 1:17PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba confirms rare Havana talks with US officials

A senior diplomat describes ‘professional’ meetings as Havana seeks an end to the US oil blockade.

21 Apr 2026 - 12:14PM

The US embassy in Havana, Cuba. Photo: EPA

China-EU relations

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

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20 Apr 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

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Mohamed Amersi, who is close to Iranian negotiators, says regime is prepared for long haul and will not give up its missile programme.

20 Apr 2026 - 4:10AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela’s Machado says ‘no regrets’ about giving her Nobel Prize to Trump

The opposition leader called the US president a leader who ‘risked the lives of his country’s citizens’ for her nation’s freedom.

19 Apr 2026 - 4:10AM

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado attends a rally in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Cuba

Cuba’s president says island does not wish for US aggression, but ready to fight

Cuba has been bracing for a possible attack following repeated warnings from Trump after he toppled Venezuela’s leader.

17 Apr 2026 - 11:35AM

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel marking the 65th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s declaration of the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution. Photo: Reuters

North Korea

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17 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

IMF, World Bank say they are resuming dealings with Venezuela

The move follows the January ouster of Nicolas Maduro and could unlock billions in frozen assets for the Rodriguez administration.

17 Apr 2026 - 10:37AM

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Venezuela

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | How China wins by avoiding war

Trump, Putin and Netanyahu have all gone to war to prove how strong and powerful they are. The results should give any strongman pause.

Rubio expected to brief New Delhi on Xi-Trump summit during India trip

US charges Raul Castro as Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Cuba

China and Russia warn US Golden Dome poses ‘clear threat’ to stability

Days after Xi-Trump talks, Beijing and Moscow slam Washington’s military provocations and its plans for missile defence system.

US plans to charge Raul Castro increases Trump administration’s pressure on Cuba

US Justice Department preparing to indict ageing Cuban leader on Wednesday over the shooting down of two aircraft three decades ago.

Spain investigates ex-prime minister Zapatero over airline bailout scandal

This is the first time in Spain’s modern history that a former prime minister has been placed under formal investigation.

ICE agent charged over shooting of Venezuelan immigrant in Minnesota

Minnesota county charges Christian Castro in a non-fatal shooting during Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Cuba warns of ‘bloodbath’ if US attacks as Washington expands sanctions

Cuba’s president defends right to self-defence as US report claims the island has acquired more than 300 military drones.

Opinion | How China is making the most of the US’ faltering global leadership

As the US’ latest foreign adventures weaken American legitimacy, the world needs a political force that can act as a neutral arbitrator.

Marco Rubio dons ‘Maduro look’ as he heads to China, sparking internet frenzy

Chinese social media users react to Rubio’s tracksuit photo, calling it a ‘meaningless gimmick’ and raising questions about sanctions.

Trump says Cuba is seeking help, will hold talks

Trump had threatened that Cuba was ‘next’ after the US military seized ‌the leader of long-time Cuban ally Venezuela earlier this year.

Opinion | Latin America is reassessing the benefits of warm ties with Beijing

From Honduras to Cuba and Venezuela, leaders are taking a more transactional view of what relations with Beijing really bring.

Why Singapore, Thailand are among the world’s ‘happiest’ economies

Southeast Asian countries outdid larger economies in the 178-nation Hanke’s Annual Misery Index for 2025.

Senate vote leaves Cuba’s uncertain future at dangerous crossroads

US Democrats failed on Tuesday in another attempt to limit Donald Trump’s authority to use military force against Cuba, so what’s next?

First direct US-Venezuela commercial flight in 7 years heads to Caracas

For the past seven years, passengers have relied on international airlines and indirect routes through neighbouring Latin American countries.

Will the future world order be determined by who controls low Earth orbit?

Amid Starlink’s ability to service conflict zones, Chinese article warns of ‘new form of power’ to allow or cut connectivity in real time.

Opinion | Blinding the world with lies makes peacemaking an impossible task

From Iran to the Horn of Africa, disinformation is killing diplomacy. Mediators need facts, not state-sponsored fictions.

Russia says US using coups, kidnappings to ‘defend its well-being’ at any cost

‘The United States has officially declared that no one can dictate to it,’ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | China’s interest doesn’t lie in US failures

Readers discuss Chinese thinking on global stability, Turkey’s school shootings, and talk of regime change.

US soldier charged with using classified intel for Maduro removal bet

Gannon Ken Van Dyke is accused of using mission secrets to net a US$404,000 windfall on prediction site Polymarket.

China’s slowing oil imports

The war on Iran that has shut the Strait of Hormuz highlights China’s reliance on foreign energy supplies and shows why geopolitical risk is spurring its efforts to lower that dependence even as its economy grows.

Cuba confirms rare Havana talks with US officials

A senior diplomat describes ‘professional’ meetings as Havana seeks an end to the US oil blockade.

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

Exclusive | Iran keen on deal with US but has higher ‘pain tolerance’: think tank chief

Mohamed Amersi, who is close to Iranian negotiators, says regime is prepared for long haul and will not give up its missile programme.

Venezuela’s Machado says ‘no regrets’ about giving her Nobel Prize to Trump

The opposition leader called the US president a leader who ‘risked the lives of his country’s citizens’ for her nation’s freedom.

Cuba’s president says island does not wish for US aggression, but ready to fight

Cuba has been bracing for a possible attack following repeated warnings from Trump after he toppled Venezuela’s leader.

Nuclear defiance: North Korea’s Kim signals he won’t be the next Iran

Kim Jong-un’s increased appearances at military drills show his confidence in Pyongyang’s nuclear deterrence, analysts say.

IMF, World Bank say they are resuming dealings with Venezuela

The move follows the January ouster of Nicolas Maduro and could unlock billions in frozen assets for the Rodriguez administration.

As I see it | How China wins by avoiding war

Letters | China’s interest doesn’t lie in US failures