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Most Americans appear reluctant to see the United States deepen its involvement in foreign conflicts, even as many Republicans initially supported the recent military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro, according to an Associated Press analysis of recent polls. An AP-NORC survey last month found that Americans wanted the government in 2026 to focus on domestic concerns such as health care and rising costs, rather than foreign policy. Polling after the Venezuela raid showed that many remain unconvinced that the U.S. should intervene to control the country. Nearly half, 45%, opposed taking control of Venezuela, while about 90% said Venezuelans should decide their own leadership. Republicans were more supportive of the Maduro operation, but only about one in ten favored a more active U.S. role in global issues. Most Americans, including Trump supporters, prioritized domestic economic concerns over foreign policy, reflecting the challenges the president may face in balancing “America First” promises with overseas actions.

Following last weekend’s U.S. military operation in Venezuela, the Trump administration publicly thanked news organizations for not jeopardizing the mission by reporting on it in advance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that several media outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, had prior knowledge of Saturday’s raid that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro but refrained from publishing details to protect operational security. “We thank them for doing that or lives could have been lost. American lives,” Rubio said. The acknowledgment is notable amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s restrictive press rules at the Pentagon, which many mainstream news organizations have refused to accept. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Rubio said Congress was not briefed beforehand partly because the information could have leaked, but the primary concern was the safety of U.S. personnel. Semafor reported that some outlets intentionally held the story to avoid endangering military personnel, a practice considered routine among national security reporters. Dana Priest, former Washington Post reporter, noted that news organizations routinely weigh operational risks before publishing sensitive information. Most Americans learned of the Venezuela operation early Saturday when President Trump announced it on his Truth Social platform. While The Associated Press did not have prior notice, its journalists in Venezuela reported explosions hours before the announcement, though U.S. involvement was confirmed only after Trump’s post. Hegseth has defended Pentagon press restrictions, citing the need to prevent solicitation of sensitive information, a policy challenged in court by The New York Times. Experts emphasize that, despite such rules, the ultimate decision to report sensitive information lies with news organizations, balancing public interest with the safety of personnel.

Several European leaders on Tuesday firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion of an American takeover of Greenland, emphasizing that the Arctic island “belongs to its people.” France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in reaffirming Greenland’s sovereignty. The self-governing territory of Denmark is part of the NATO alliance. “It is for Denmark and Greenland alone to decide on matters concerning them,” the leaders said in a joint statement. Trump has argued that the U.S. should control Greenland to safeguard NATO territory against growing Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told CNN on Monday that Greenland should be part of the United States as part of its overall security strategy, questioning Denmark’s claim over the territory. Frederiksen and Greenland’s leaders, however, have repeatedly rejected any U.S. takeover, warning that such a move could undermine NATO. Miller clarified that the discussion did not involve any military action, saying, “Nobody is going to fight the U.S. militarily over the future of Greenland.”

The U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife has raised unease about the future of the international legal framework. Experts warn that the mission signals a shift toward unilateral use of force, challenging norms established after two world wars and codified in the United Nations Charter. U.N. Undersecretary-General Rosemary A. DiCarlo told the Security Council that international peace and security depend on all nations adhering to the Charter’s provisions. The Trump administration maintains that the seizure was legal, citing the designation of Venezuelan drug cartels as unlawful combatants and describing the operation as part of an armed conflict. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz called it a justified “surgical law enforcement operation.” The mission aligns with the administration’s National Security Strategy, which emphasizes restoring “American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere.” However, the action has drawn criticism worldwide. Leaders from China, Mexico, and Europe condemned the operation, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stating it violated the principle of non-use of force central to international law. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya warned the operation marked a “return to lawlessness.” Analysts say the operation could embolden similar unilateral actions, potentially destabilizing regions like Ukraine, Greenland, Taiwan, and the Middle East. Trump’s criticism of Colombia and speculation about Greenland have already heightened tensions, while Maduro’s capture has alarmed Beijing regarding U.S. unpredictability in global affairs. European leaders have called for upholding the principles of international law, though some allies, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, argue that major powers often act beyond such legal constraints. Observers say the Venezuelan operation underscores the fragility of postwar international norms and the growing tension between national interests and global legal order.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says she wants to share her Nobel Peace Prize with U.S. President Donald Trump, praising his administration’s military action that led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, even as she acknowledged she has not spoken to Trump since October. Speaking on Fox News’ Hannity on Monday, Machado described Maduro’s capture as “a huge step for humanity, for freedom, and human dignity,” and said her decision to dedicate the Nobel Prize to Trump was based on her belief that he deserved it, reports Al Jazeera. Read More:  Machado’s daughter receives Nobel Peace Prize in her absence “I dedicated it to President Trump because I believed, at that time, that he deserved it,” Machado said. “Now, after deposing Maduro, he has proven to the world what he means.” Machado said she last spoke with Trump on October 10, the day the Nobel Peace Prize was announced. “Not since then,” she said, adding that she hopes to thank him personally. “On behalf of the Venezuelan people, how grateful we are for his courageous vision, the historical actions he has taken against this narcoterrorist regime.” Read More:  Nobel Peace Prize for Maria Corina Machado sparks outcry over Israel ties The right-wing opposition figure welcomed Trump’s remarks about U.S. energy interests in Venezuela, saying the country could become an “energy hub” for the United States. “We will bring rule of law, we will open markets, we will bring security for investments,” she said. Trump, however, later questioned Machado’s political standing, telling reporters she “doesn’t have the support or the respect” to lead Venezuela. Following Maduro’s removal, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim leader. Machado won 93 percent of the opposition’s 2023 primary vote but was barred from running for president, forcing her into hiding for more than a year. After traveling to Norway to accept the Nobel Prize, her current whereabouts remain unknown. She said she plans to return to Venezuela “as soon as possible.”

US President Donald Trump has issued fresh threats against Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro and said Cuba appears “ready to fall”, as international criticism mounts over Washington’s seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Trump made the remarks on Sunday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, a day after US forces captured Maduro in Caracas in what Washington described as a law enforcement operation. The comments have fuelled outrage across Latin America and Europe, with several countries warning that the US action sets a dangerous precedent for regional peace and security. Referring to Colombia and Venezuela, Trump said both countries were “very sick” and accused the government in Bogota of being run by “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States”. He added that President Petro would not remain in power for long. When asked whether he was suggesting a US operation against Colombia, Trump replied, “Sounds good to me.” The remarks drew a sharp response from Petro, who urged Trump to stop “slandering” him and warned that Latin America must unite or risk being treated as “a servant and slave”. In a series of posts on X, Petro said the United States was the first country in history to bomb a South American capital, but stressed that revenge was not the answer. Instead, Petro called on Latin American nations to strengthen cooperation and engagement with the wider world, saying the region should not look only to the north but in all directions. Trump’s comments came amid growing condemnation of the US operation in Venezuela. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain said in a joint statement that they “firmly reject the military actions undertaken unilaterally in Venezuelan territory”. The countries said the operation violated fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and posed grave risks to civilians and regional stability. US forces seized Maduro early on Saturday in Caracas to bring him to trial on “narcoterrorism” charges, according to Washington. Maduro has denied the allegations, while critics argue the move was aimed at securing control over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump insisted that the United States remains “in charge” of Venezuela, despite the country’s Supreme Court appointing Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader. He repeated threats to send US troops back to Venezuela if the country “doesn’t behave”. Trump also claimed that many Cubans were killed during the US raid on Caracas, adding that a military intervention in Cuba would be unnecessary because the island is already on the brink of collapse. “Cuba is ready to fall,” Trump said, arguing that the country has lost a major source of income following the halt of Venezuelan oil supplies. The US president also issued a warning to Mexico, saying the country “has to get their act together” as drugs continue to flow across the border. He described Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as a “terrific person” but said drug cartels remain very strong in the country. Trump added that he has repeatedly offered to send US troops to Mexico during conversations with her. Trump has repeatedly signalled his ambition to expand US influence across the Western Hemisphere, reviving the Monroe Doctrine, which places Latin America within Washington’s sphere of influence. He has referred to his modern version as the “Don-roe Doctrine”. Analysts say it remains unclear whether Trump will act on his threats or is using them to pressure Latin American governments into cooperation. Experts note that Trump often relies on short, high-profile displays of force to intimidate rivals rather than sustained military engagement. The US action in Venezuela continues to draw criticism worldwide, with observers warning that escalating threats against multiple Latin American countries could further destabilise the region and undermine international norms.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, captured in a large-scale U.S. military operation early Saturday, will be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York, CNN reported. The couple arrived at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, around 5 p.m. local time (2200 GMT), according to reports and video footage. They, along with several others, are set to face charges next week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, according to an unsealed indictment by the U.S. Department of Justice. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he directly called U.S. President Donald Trump to express opposition to what he described as a “pursuit of regime change violating federal and international law.” Demonstrations were also reported outside the Newburgh base. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez demanded the immediate release of the couple during a National Defense Council session broadcast on state television.

US President Donald Trump has said American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following large-scale strikes, marking a dramatic escalation in Washington’s long-running confrontation with Caracas. The Trump administration accuses Maduro of fueling illegal migration, drug trafficking and organised crime affecting the United States. Trump has repeatedly blamed the Venezuelan leader for the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants, amid an economic collapse that has driven nearly eight million people to flee the country since 2013. Trump has also alleged that Venezuela plays a major role in drug trafficking to the US. He designated Venezuelan criminal groups Tren de Aragua and the so-called Cartel de los Soles as Foreign Terrorist Organisations, claiming Maduro leads the latter — an allegation Maduro strongly denies. Analysts note the cartel is not a structured organisation but a term referring to corrupt officials enabling drug transit. Since Trump began his second term, pressure on Maduro intensified. The US doubled rewards for information leading to Maduro’s capture, imposed a naval blockade on Venezuelan oil exports and authorised covert CIA operations inside the country. US forces also carried out dozens of strikes on vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean and Pacific. However, counter-narcotics experts say Venezuela is mainly a transit country and plays a relatively minor role in global drug trafficking. Most cocaine entering the US comes via the Pacific, while fentanyl — now the leading cause of overdose deaths — is largely produced in Mexico and smuggled across the US southern border. Maduro, in power since 2013 after succeeding Hugo Chávez, has rejected US accusations, calling them a pretext to overthrow his government and seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, though production has fallen sharply due to sanctions, mismanagement and underinvestment. The Venezuelan military has vowed to defend the country’s sovereignty as tensions continue to escalate. With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are being taken to New York after being captured by US forces. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said Maduro and Flores have been indicted in New York and are being transported to the state by helicopter and ship. He alleged that the Venezuelan leader was responsible for the deaths of many people, including American citizens. Trump said the operation to capture Maduro had been planned earlier but was delayed due to weather conditions. “The weather has to be perfect,” he said, adding that the mission was launched once conditions improved. Describing the raid, Trump said Maduro was captured from a location “more like a fortress than a house,” with heavy steel fortifications. He claimed no US soldiers were killed in the operation, though a few were injured and are now in stable condition. The US president also said he had spoken with Maduro about a week before the operation, urging him to surrender. When that did not happen, Trump said the US carried out what he described as a “surgical and powerful” action. Trump added that the United States would now be “strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil sector. He said Maduro’s capture sent a message that the US would no longer allow itself to be “pushed around,” particularly over drug trafficking. Asked about the political future of Venezuela, Trump said Washington would consider its position regarding opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. He also questioned the legitimacy of Maduro’s election. Trump claims Maduro captured as US launches major strikes on Venezuela US Vice President later said in a post on X that the operation showed Trump’s resolve, praising US special forces and reiterating claims about drug trafficking and oil theft. Earlier, US Attorney General Pam Bondi who says that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Maduro, she says, has been charged with "Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States". "They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," Bondi adds but does not say what his wife has been charged with. "A huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers," she adds. Earlier on Saturday, US President Donald Trump said the United States has carried out “large scale strikes” against Venezuela and claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country. In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the operation was conducted in coordination with US law enforcement agencies and that further details would be announced at a news conference scheduled later in the day at his Mar-a-Lago residence. With inputs from BBC

Residents of Venezuela’s capital reported hearing at least seven explosions along with the sound of aircraft flying at low altitude around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday. The cause of the blasts was not immediately known. Venezuelan authorities, as well as the Pentagon and the White House, did not respond right away to requests for comment. Following the loud sounds, people in several neighborhoods poured out into the streets. From different parts of the city, residents said they could see activity in the distance, though details remained unclear. The incidents come amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States. In recent days, the U.S. military has been carrying out strikes on vessels it claims are involved in drug trafficking. On Friday, Venezuelan officials said the country was willing to explore a possible agreement with Washington aimed at tackling narcotics smuggling. President Nicolás Maduro, meanwhile, has accused the United States of attempting to overthrow his government. In a prerecorded interview broadcast Thursday, Maduro said Washington’s pressure campaign, which began with a large U.S. military deployment to the Caribbean Sea in August, was intended to force political change and secure access to Venezuela’s extensive oil resources. Maduro faces U.S. charges related to narco-terrorism. Last week, a drone strike targeted a docking area believed to be used by Venezuelan drug trafficking groups. The CIA was behind the operation, marking what appeared to be the first direct U.S. strike on Venezuelan territory since attacks on suspected smuggling boats began in September. For months, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that strikes on Venezuelan land were a possibility. The United States has also seized oil tankers operating under sanctions near Venezuela’s coast and imposed a blockade on others, moves widely seen as efforts to further tighten economic pressure on the country. Since early September, U.S. forces have been striking boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. According to figures released by the Trump administration, at least 35 vessels have been hit, with a reported death toll of no fewer than 115 people as of Friday. Those operations followed a significant buildup of U.S. military power near South America, including the deployment in November of the country’s most advanced aircraft carrier. The move brought thousands of additional troops to the region, marking the largest American military presence there in decades. Trump has defended the attacks as necessary to curb the flow of drugs into the United States, insisting that Washington is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels. Iranian state television also reported on the explosions in Caracas on Saturday, airing footage of the city. Iran has maintained close ties with Venezuela for years, largely due to their shared opposition to U.S. policies.