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Venezuelan security forces detained at least 14 journalists on Monday as armed police and intelligence agents increased patrols across the capital following the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. The journalists were detained while covering developments after Maduro’s arrest, according to a union representing media workers. Most of those held worked for foreign news outlets and were released later in the day, though one reporter was deported. The detentions took place near the National Assembly, where Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, and in other areas of Caracas, including Altamira. Two reporters were also detained near the Colombia-Venezuela border before being sent back to Colombia. The union said journalists had their phones checked, equipment searched, and messages reviewed by security personnel. It described the incidents as “alarming” and called for the release of 23 journalists still in detention in Venezuela. Residents reported a heavy presence of police, military forces, and armed pro-government groups on the streets, creating fear among people critical of the authorities. Rights groups say more than 800 political prisoners remain in custody, as repression has intensified since the disputed 2024 election.   With inputs from BBC

The Venezuelan government on Tuesday sought to demonstrate that the country remains governed from Caracas, not Washington, following the dramatic U.S. military operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. Ruling-party lawmakers, including Maduro’s son, convened in the capital to carry out the previously scheduled swearing-in of the National Assembly, which will serve until 2031. The session was intended to project institutional continuity and national sovereignty. Former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who has pledged cooperation with the Trump administration, was sworn in as interim president by her brother, National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez. In her remarks, she expressed grief over what she described as an “illegitimate military aggression” that caused suffering among Venezuelans. Lawmakers used the session to denounce Maduro’s seizure by U.S. forces. Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, warned that accepting the abduction of a sitting head of state would endanger all nations. “Today it’s Venezuela. Tomorrow, it could be any nation that refuses to submit,” he said, calling the episode a threat to global political stability. He also demanded the return of his father and stepmother, Cilia Flores, and rejected allegations that he was part of the alleged conspiracy. As lawmakers met in Caracas, Maduro appeared in a U.S. courtroom in New York, pleading not guilty to federal narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges. He described himself as innocent and denied wrongdoing. President Donald Trump said the U.S. would temporarily “run” Venezuela, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified that Washington would not manage day-to-day governance, aside from enforcing an oil embargo aimed at forcing political and economic changes. Rodríguez struck a more conciliatory tone on Sunday, calling for “respectful relations” and cooperation with the U.S. within international law, a shift that followed Trump’s warning that she could face consequences if she resisted U.S. demands. Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Rodríguez interim president, declaring Maduro’s absence “temporary,” despite constitutional provisions that would normally require elections within 30 days. The court did not specify a time limit, prompting speculation she could remain in office beyond the usual interim period. U.S. officials said preliminary steps are also underway to potentially reopen the American embassy in Caracas.

Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the role of interim president of Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States in a nighttime military operation, amid growing uncertainty over the country’s political future. Rodríguez, who has served as Maduro’s vice president since 2018, was next in the constitutional line of succession and has been a central figure in managing Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy and its powerful intelligence apparatus. On Saturday, Venezuela’s Supreme Court ordered her to take over as interim leader, a move that was swiftly backed by the military. In a televised address, Rodríguez showed no sign of cooperating with the Trump administration, referring to the US government as “extremists” and insisting that Maduro remains Venezuela’s legitimate president. She described the US action as an “atrocity” and a violation of international law. US President Donald Trump, however, offered mixed signals about Rodríguez. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, he said she was “cooperating” and that he wanted full access to Venezuela’s oil facilities and infrastructure so they could be rebuilt. At the same time, he warned that she could face consequences “probably worse than Maduro” if she failed to work with Washington. Earlier, Trump had said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been in contact with Rodríguez and described her as someone the US could work with, unlike Maduro. Rubio later told US television networks that he did not view Rodríguez’s government as legitimate, arguing that Venezuela had not held free and fair elections. Rodríguez, a 56-year-old lawyer educated in Britain and France, has long been a prominent defender of the socialist movement launched by the late Hugo Chávez. Along with her brother Jorge Rodríguez, head of the pro-Maduro National Assembly, she rose to prominence from a political legacy shaped by their father, a leftist leader who died in police custody in the 1970s. Although she has avoided US criminal indictments that have targeted other senior Venezuelan officials, Rodríguez was sanctioned during Trump’s first term for actions Washington said undermined democracy. Over the years, she has held several senior posts, including foreign minister and petroleum minister, and played a key role in stabilizing the economy after years of crisis. Analysts say Rodríguez has cultivated close ties with the military, which has long been a decisive force in Venezuelan politics, as well as with international oil industry figures wary of abrupt regime change. It remains unclear how long she will remain in power. Venezuela’s constitution requires a presidential election within 30 days if a president is deemed permanently unable to serve. However, the Supreme Court ruled that Maduro’s absence is temporary, allowing the vice president to assume power for up to 90 days, extendable to six months with parliamentary approval. The court did not specify a time limit in its ruling, raising speculation that Rodríguez could seek to extend her hold on power as she navigates internal party divisions and external pressure from Washington.

Cuba has said that 32 of its military and police officers were killed during a US military operation in Venezuela over the weekend, marking the first official confirmation of the casualties by the Cuban government. A statement read on Cuban state television on Sunday night said the officers were deployed in Venezuela as part of a mission requested by the Venezuelan government. However, it did not specify the nature of their assignment. Cuba is a long-time ally of Venezuela and has for years sent military and police personnel to assist the South American country in various operations. US President Donald Trump acknowledged the deaths while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night as he returned to Washington from Florida. “A lot of Cubans were killed yesterday,” Trump said. “There was a lot of death on the other side. No death on our side.” The US operation on Saturday resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were taken into custody to face prosecution under an indictment accusing them of involvement in a narco-terrorism conspiracy. Cuba announced two days of national mourning for the officers who were killed. According to the official statement, the officers “fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism” and died after intense resistance in direct combat with the attackers or as a result of bombings on the facilities where they were stationed.

Starlink has announced it will provide free broadband internet services across Venezuela until February 3, following the recent U.S. operation that led to the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. The satellite internet service, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, said in a post on X that it is committed to ensuring “continued connectivity” for Venezuelans. The country has long faced internet restrictions, with previous governments blocking platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram during periods of unrest. Starlink delivers mobile broadband through a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, enabling internet access even in areas with limited infrastructure. Internet monitoring group Netblocks reported a sudden loss of connectivity in parts of Caracas on Saturday, which it said coincided with power outages during the U.S. military operation. Local media also reported that several areas of the capital were experiencing internet blackouts. Venezuelans question leadership after Maduro’s capture The move by Starlink is expected to help restore communication for residents amid ongoing uncertainty and disruptions to power and digital services across the country.

At least 40 people, including civilians and members of the armed forces, were killed in U.S. airstrikes on Venezuela on Saturday, The New York Times reported, citing a senior Venezuelan official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The large-scale strikes were carried out in the early hours as U.S. forces conducted an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who are now being held in custody in New York. The newspaper said it verified video footage showing heavy smoke and repeated explosions near La Carlota Airport in Caracas. In Catia La Mar, west of the capital, an airstrike reportedly hit a three-storey residential building, destroying parts of its exterior walls. At least one elderly woman was killed and another person seriously injured. EU urges de-escalation in Venezuela U.S. media, citing Venezuelan government sources, reported that military targets in Caracas as well as the coastal states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira were struck during the operation. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez earlier confirmed casualties among both civilians and military personnel but did not provide figures. U.S. President Donald Trump said some American personnel were injured during the operation, though no U.S. troops were killed.

Venezuelan Vice President Rodriguez on Saturday reaffirmed that Nicolás Maduro remains “the only president” of Venezuela, denouncing the recent U.S. military operation targeting the country’s leadership. Speaking live on state-run television, Rodriguez emphasized that Venezuela will never be a colony of any foreign power. Accompanied by key ministers, including those of interior and foreign affairs, she called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, urging citizens to stay calm, face challenges collectively, and defend national sovereignty. Rodriguez also warned that similar attacks could target other nations in the region in the future, asserting that Venezuela is prepared to protect its natural resources and will resist becoming subjugated by any foreign power. In the early hours of Saturday, the United States launched a large-scale military operation in Caracas, capturing Maduro and his wife. U.S. President Donald Trump later claimed that Rodriguez had been sworn in as president and noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio “just had a conversation” with her. Trump said she is ready to take actions the U.S. deems necessary to “make Venezuela great again.” Maduro to be held at New York Detention Center The international community has expressed shock over the U.S. raid, condemning the use of force against a sovereign nation and its sitting president.

Venezuelans faced uncertainty on Saturday after President Nicolás Maduro was captured in a U.S. military operation, leaving the nation of 29 million wondering who is in charge. Streets in Caracas were largely deserted, with only long lines at supermarkets and gas stations as residents expressed fear and confusion. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the United States would take control of Venezuela, possibly with the cooperation of Maduro’s deputy, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. On Saturday, Venezuela’s Supreme Court ordered Rodríguez to assume the role of interim president. Trump further claimed that Rodríguez spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, assuring the U.S. of her support. Rodríguez, however, sought to project strength, calling for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and denouncing the U.S. operation as a violation of the United Nations charter. “There is only one president in this country, and his name is Nicolás Maduro,” she said on state television. US will 'run' Venezuela until 'safe transition can take place': Trump In a major snub, Trump said opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was awarded last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, didn’t have the support to run the country. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged Venezuelans to defend sovereignty, prompting small rallies and flag burnings, though most citizens remained indoors. “We’re still on edge, and now we’re unsure what to do,” said resident Yanire Lucas, describing the tense atmosphere after explosions near a military base.

At least 15 people were killed and another 15 injured after an intermunicipal bus plunged into a ravine in Guatemala, authorities said on Saturday, as the government announced a three-day period of national mourning. The crash occurred late Friday near the town of Totonicapán along the Interamerican Highway, a major route linking several regions of the country. Rescue teams worked for more than two hours to retrieve bodies from the ravine and evacuate injured passengers. Those hurt in the accident were taken to nearby hospitals, where they remain under treatment. President Bernardo Arévalo expressed his condolences over the incident, saying the government was mobilizing resources to support victims and their families. “I deeply regret this tragic event on the Interamerican Route,” he said in a message posted on social media. Deadly traffic accidents are frequent in Guatemala, particularly in mountainous areas where roads are often narrow and safety regulations are weakly enforced. Many communities rely on public transport operating on two-lane highways that can be hazardous, especially at night. In October, the government’s National Transportation Safety Observatory reported that 446 public transport vehicles were involved in traffic accidents across the country in 2025. Those incidents left 111 people dead and more than 600 others injured by October. Source: AP 

Colombia will resume spraying coca crops using drones, the government announced on Monday, as it struggles with record cocaine production that has heightened tensions with the Trump administration. Justice Minister Andrés Idárraga said the drone-based fumigation programme, approved by the government, will begin on Thursday and target areas where criminal gangs and rebel groups force farmers to cultivate coca, the raw material for cocaine. He said the use of drones would reduce risks to security forces operating in dangerous and remote regions. Colombia halted aerial fumigation in 2015 after the World Health Organization classified glyphosate, the herbicide used in spraying, as a probable carcinogen. Environmental groups had also warned that spraying from small aircraft polluted water sources, damaged legal crops and exposed rural communities to harmful chemicals. Following the ban, authorities expanded manual eradication campaigns carried out by soldiers. However, coca cultivation continued to grow, particularly in isolated areas protected by armed groups and sometimes surrounded by land mines. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, coca was cultivated on an estimated 261,000 hectares in Colombia in 2024, nearly double the area recorded in 2016. Idárraga said the drones would operate no more than 1.5 metres from targeted plants to avoid spraying water sources and legal crops. Each drone can destroy about one hectare of coca every 30 minutes, making the method both controlled and efficient, he added. The idea of using drones for coca eradication was first proposed in 2018 but stalled due to political and institutional disagreements. President Gustavo Petro’s left-leaning government initially rejected forced eradication, arguing that impoverished farmers lacked viable alternatives. This year, however, the government has toughened its stance as drug-funded rebel groups stepped up attacks and refused to sign peace agreements. The United States has long criticised Colombia for suspending aerial fumigation. In September, the Trump administration added Colombia to a list of countries failing to cooperate in the fight against drugs for the first time in nearly 30 years, threatening military and economic assistance. Washington has also imposed sanctions on Petro and warned of possible land strikes against drug traffickers. Petro has rejected US accusations, saying Colombian security forces are seizing record amounts of cocaine even as production remains at historic highs.