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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

This aerial picture taken on October 1, 2025 off the coast of the western France port of Saint-Nazaire shows the tanker Boracay from one of Russia’s “shadow fleets”. Photo: AFP

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Bipartisan panel argues sanctions have concentrated discounted oil in Beijing's hands – charges the Chinese government denies.

1 Apr 2026 - 5:44PM

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Letters | Unfinished business: the delay of Trump’s China visit

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US reopens embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove Maduro

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US sailors and marines aboard the USS Tripoli at an unspecified location in the Middle East on Friday. Photo: US Central Command via AP

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Cuba became dependent on the Soviet Union for oil after its communist revolution ⁠in 1959.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:58PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

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

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30 Mar 2026 - 11:20AMvideocam

Nicolas Maduro

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

The Venezuelan oil industry has made the country rich, but economic mismanagement and foreign interference led to years of instability.

28 Mar 2026 - 9:00AM

13:34

US-Venezuela conflict

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27 Mar 2026 - 3:26AM

US-China relations

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

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The Philippines

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25 Mar 2026 - 9:59PMvideocam

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said in a televised address on Wednesday that the country’s fuel ‌supply would not run dry after 45 days as his government has been looking for other sources. Photo: EPA

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

DF-5C nuclear missiles are displayed during a military parade in Beijing in September 2025. Photo: Reuters

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

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

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Havana, Cuba as it battles its latest power blackout. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

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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

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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.

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US-China relations

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19 Mar 2026 - 9:22PMvideocam

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18 Mar 2026 - 9:37PMvideocam

The Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was the first in a string of top officials killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran since February 28. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

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19 Mar 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

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Americas and the Caribbean

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

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A machine digs along a section of Chile’s northern border. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

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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

A man uses a flashlight after Cuba’s national electric grid collapsed. Photo: Reuters

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

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.

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United States

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

13 Mar 2026 - 8:43PMvideocam

People spend time in the public area in front of a hotel in Havana, Cuba, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Artificial intelligence

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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

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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

Two Sessions 2026

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10 Mar 2026 - 8:05PMvideocam

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Venezuela

US lawmakers call for major crackdown on China’s alleged sanctioned oil imports

Bipartisan panel argues sanctions have concentrated discounted oil in Beijing's hands – charges the Chinese government denies.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Unfinished business: the delay of Trump’s China visit

US reopens embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove Maduro

Why Trump needs a short-term win in Iran before he visits Xi in China

A surge in US service members in the Middle East suggests the makings of a protracted and low-intensity conflict, analysts say.

Russian oil tanker arrives in Cuba as Moscow vows to stand by Havana

Cuba became dependent on the Soviet Union for oil after its communist revolution ⁠in 1959.

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

Cuba has not received an oil tanker in three months, according to its president, leading to strict petrol rationing and blackouts.

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

The Venezuelan oil industry has made the country rich, but economic mismanagement and foreign interference led to years of instability.

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

The judge indicated he would not dismiss the case over Maduro’s apparent inability to afford the legal bill without aid from his government.

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.

Letters | Unfinished business: the delay of Trump’s China visit

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

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