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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

A person walks past a petrol station in Havana, Cuba amid a fuel crisis on the Caribbean island. Photo: EPA

Americas and the Caribbean

US to allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba in possible lifeline for the island

The New York Times, citing a ‌US official, said it was unclear why the shipment is being permitted, amid a de facto US oil blockade.

4 hours ago

Nicolas Maduro

Video | How did oil-rich Venezuela spiral to instability?

28 Mar 2026 - 9:00AM

US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela’s Maduro back in court after shock capture by US forces

27 Mar 2026 - 3:26AM

US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:09AMvideocam

The Philippines

Philippines working with US to obtain oil from US-sanctioned nations

This comes after the Southeast Asian nation, which relies heavily on imported fuel, declared a state of national emergency on Tuesday.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:59PMvideocam

US-China relations

US unlikely to get China to join new nuclear arms control agreement, experts say

Nuclear superpowers not taking active steps towards meaningful negotiation following the expiry of New Start arms treaty in February.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

North Korea

North Korea’s Kim slams US ‘state terror’ but spares Trump in third-term address

Mindful of the fate of Iran and Venezuela’s leaders, Kim Jong-un used his speech to cast nuclear weapons as a non-negotiable shield.

24 Mar 2026 - 3:39PMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a policy speech during the second and final day of the first session of the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang on Monday. Photo: KCNA/Yonhap/dpa

US-China relations

Trump-Xi summit will be very amicable, predicts former Biden official

Kurt Campbell expects to see both leaders being ‘extraordinarily polite and engaged’ during key rescheduled meeting despite Iran conflict.

24 Mar 2026 - 5:03AM

Donald Trump

Cuba says ready for potential US attack as it recovers from latest blackout

A top Cuban diplomat says regime change is off the table as the US pressures the island with a crippling oil blockade.

23 Mar 2026 - 8:22PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba rejects ‘shameless’ US request for diesel amid Trump oil blockade

The US embassy in Havana is seeking fuel for its generators even as the rest of the island is plagued by shortages and power outages.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:39AMvideocam

A man walks down a street in Havana, Cuba, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

United States

US judge rules restrictive Pentagon press access unconstitutional

It is vital for the public to have information in light of the US war with Iran and its recent intervention in Venezuela, court says.

21 Mar 2026 - 7:16AM

US media and a host of international news outlets declined to sign the Pentagon’s new policy in mid-October last year, resulting in the stripping of their credentials. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Opinion | China is looking at Iran war for clues to US long-term intent

US actions threaten China’s energy security, expose supply chokepoints and raise nuclear proliferation risks in its neighbourhood.

19 Mar 2026 - 9:22PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Chinese analysts draw lessons from military decapitations in Iran, Venezuela

Beijing would not overestimate impact of decapitation strike on Taiwan, seeing it just as part of amphibious landing operation, analyst says.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:37PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

As Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’

Any response from Beijing is likely to be constrained to diplomatic opposition and humanitarian aid, according to analysts.

19 Mar 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

Cuba scrambled to restore power on Monday after a nationwide blackout that hit the communist-run island just as US President Donald Trump said he expected to take it over. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba’s leader vows ‘unbreakable resistance’ if US tries to take over island

Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel issued a defiant message after Donald Trump said he might ‘take’ the communist nation.

18 Mar 2026 - 1:01PM

A street in Havana, as power was being restored on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Channeling Trump, Chile’s new president launches work on border barrier

Arch-conservative leader Kast has vowed to crack down on immigration from Peru and Bolivia with his ‘Border Shield’ plan.

17 Mar 2026 - 10:33AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump vows to ‘take’ Cuba as island reels from total power blackout

US president says he can do ‘anything I want’ with weakened nation as oil embargo cripples Havana’s power grid.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:46PM

US-Venezuela conflict

American flag raised at US embassy in Venezuela for first time since 2019

The move highlights a shift in relations between the two countries after Maduro was ousted in an operation by US troops.

15 Mar 2026 - 4:43AMvideocam

The US flag flutters at the US embassy in Caracas on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Protesters in Cuba attack Communist party office amid blackout fury

Videos on social media show a large fire and ‌people throwing rocks through the windows of a building.

14 Mar 2026 - 10:52PM

United States

Cuba confirms US talks as island gasps under Trump’s energy blockade

President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the discussion a ‘highly sensitive process’ because it affects bilateral relations of both sides.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:43PMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

China warns US against letting AI ‘determine life and death’ on battlefield

China believes that human primacy must be upheld in military applications of AI, defence ministry spokesman says.

11 Mar 2026 - 11:03PMvideocam

US Forces strike Iranian military targets in “Operation Epic Fury”. A Chinese defence spokesman says widespread use of AI in war could “erode ethical constraints and accountability in wars”. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong tycoon urges prudent approach to development amid global uncertainty

Far East Consortium chairman David Chiu says industry’s willingness to invest in the Northern Metropolis hinges on the health of the market.

11 Mar 2026 - 9:30AM

A view of San Tin Technopole, located in the Northern Metropolis. Photo: May Tse

Two Sessions 2026

Stability comes first: Chinese defence chief signals Beijing’s strategic caution

Dong Jun’s remarks stressing prudence as Xi-Trump summit looms and amid Iran war suggest no military action on Taiwan for now, analysts say.

10 Mar 2026 - 8:05PMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | Superpower contest puts Iran, Panama, Venezuela and Greenland on one map

When one crisis touches canal access, another hits crude and a third touches the Strait of Hormuz, it is hard to call these a coincidence.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Exclusive | Trump’s China visit confined to Beijing due to schedule, security needs: sources

‘Given the situation [in the Middle East], the visit’s security arrangements must be extremely careful’.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:02PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet at the Forbidden City in Beijing on November 8, 2017, the last time Trump – or any US president – visited China. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump offers Latin American leaders US missile strikes to hit drug cartels

The US president launched a 17-nation ‘counter cartel’ coalition at his ‘Shield of the Americas’ summit.

8 Mar 2026 - 1:46AM

US President Donald Trump attends the “Shield of the Americas” summit in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Australia

Opinion | Australia needs to make its stance on the Iran attacks known

By refusing to condemn these legally baseless strikes, the Albanese government risks choosing ‘might is right’ over the UN Charter.

7 Mar 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Are investors spooked by Iran violence? Market response suggests not

Renewed fighting in the Middle East bodes ill for the global economy, but it is not yet enough to counterbalance other short-term factors.

6 Mar 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

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Venezuela

US to allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba in possible lifeline for the island

The New York Times, citing a ‌US official, said it was unclear why the shipment is being permitted, amid a de facto US oil blockade.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | How did oil-rich Venezuela spiral to instability?

Venezuela’s Maduro back in court after shock capture by US forces

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

Philippines working with US to obtain oil from US-sanctioned nations

This comes after the Southeast Asian nation, which relies heavily on imported fuel, declared a state of national emergency on Tuesday.

US unlikely to get China to join new nuclear arms control agreement, experts say

Nuclear superpowers not taking active steps towards meaningful negotiation following the expiry of New Start arms treaty in February.

North Korea’s Kim slams US ‘state terror’ but spares Trump in third-term address

Mindful of the fate of Iran and Venezuela’s leaders, Kim Jong-un used his speech to cast nuclear weapons as a non-negotiable shield.

Trump-Xi summit will be very amicable, predicts former Biden official

Kurt Campbell expects to see both leaders being ‘extraordinarily polite and engaged’ during key rescheduled meeting despite Iran conflict.

Cuba says ready for potential US attack as it recovers from latest blackout

A top Cuban diplomat says regime change is off the table as the US pressures the island with a crippling oil blockade.

Cuba rejects ‘shameless’ US request for diesel amid Trump oil blockade

The US embassy in Havana is seeking fuel for its generators even as the rest of the island is plagued by shortages and power outages.

US judge rules restrictive Pentagon press access unconstitutional

It is vital for the public to have information in light of the US war with Iran and its recent intervention in Venezuela, court says.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China is looking at Iran war for clues to US long-term intent

US actions threaten China’s energy security, expose supply chokepoints and raise nuclear proliferation risks in its neighbourhood.

Chinese analysts draw lessons from military decapitations in Iran, Venezuela

Beijing would not overestimate impact of decapitation strike on Taiwan, seeing it just as part of amphibious landing operation, analyst says.

As Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’

Any response from Beijing is likely to be constrained to diplomatic opposition and humanitarian aid, according to analysts.

Cuba’s leader vows ‘unbreakable resistance’ if US tries to take over island

Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel issued a defiant message after Donald Trump said he might ‘take’ the communist nation.

Channeling Trump, Chile’s new president launches work on border barrier

Arch-conservative leader Kast has vowed to crack down on immigration from Peru and Bolivia with his ‘Border Shield’ plan.

Trump vows to ‘take’ Cuba as island reels from total power blackout

US president says he can do ‘anything I want’ with weakened nation as oil embargo cripples Havana’s power grid.

American flag raised at US embassy in Venezuela for first time since 2019

The move highlights a shift in relations between the two countries after Maduro was ousted in an operation by US troops.

Protesters in Cuba attack Communist party office amid blackout fury

Videos on social media show a large fire and ‌people throwing rocks through the windows of a building.

Cuba confirms US talks as island gasps under Trump’s energy blockade

President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the discussion a ‘highly sensitive process’ because it affects bilateral relations of both sides.

China warns US against letting AI ‘determine life and death’ on battlefield

China believes that human primacy must be upheld in military applications of AI, defence ministry spokesman says.

Hong Kong tycoon urges prudent approach to development amid global uncertainty

Far East Consortium chairman David Chiu says industry’s willingness to invest in the Northern Metropolis hinges on the health of the market.

Stability comes first: Chinese defence chief signals Beijing’s strategic caution

Dong Jun’s remarks stressing prudence as Xi-Trump summit looms and amid Iran war suggest no military action on Taiwan for now, analysts say.

Opinion | Superpower contest puts Iran, Panama, Venezuela and Greenland on one map

When one crisis touches canal access, another hits crude and a third touches the Strait of Hormuz, it is hard to call these a coincidence.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Trump’s China visit confined to Beijing due to schedule, security needs: sources

‘Given the situation [in the Middle East], the visit’s security arrangements must be extremely careful’.

Trump offers Latin American leaders US missile strikes to hit drug cartels

The US president launched a 17-nation ‘counter cartel’ coalition at his ‘Shield of the Americas’ summit.

Opinion | Australia needs to make its stance on the Iran attacks known

By refusing to condemn these legally baseless strikes, the Albanese government risks choosing ‘might is right’ over the UN Charter.

Opinion | Are investors spooked by Iran violence? Market response suggests not

Renewed fighting in the Middle East bodes ill for the global economy, but it is not yet enough to counterbalance other short-term factors.

Video | How did oil-rich Venezuela spiral to instability?

Opinion | China is looking at Iran war for clues to US long-term intent

Exclusive | Trump’s China visit confined to Beijing due to schedule, security needs: sources