The Trump administration has blocked Venezuela from paying legal fees for deposed president Nicolás Maduro’s defence in his US drug and weapons trial, raising constitutional concerns

Trump blocks Venezuela from paying Maduro’s legal fees amid US trial

As of mid-February 2026, families of political prisoners in Caracas, Venezuela, have escalated protests, including a hunger strike, to demand the immediate release of detainees still held despite an ongoing political transition following the US-led ouster of Nicolas Maduro. 


Family Members of Political Prisoners Stage Protest in Venezuela's Capital Caracas

Anthropic's artificial-intelligence model Claude was used in the U.S. military's operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Claude's deployment came via Anthropic's partnership with data firm Palantir Technologies (PLTR.O), opens new tab, whose platforms are widely used by the Defense Department and federal law enforcement, the report added.

WSJ: Anthropic's Claude AI Deployed in Maduro Raid

Venezuela says it has freed more than 800 prisoners in recent months, but international rights groups have challenged the government’s claims, saying the figures are exaggerated and lack transparency. 

Trump: Venezuela Releasing Prisoners At Rapid Rate

Claims of a mysterious “sonic weapon” used during a Trump-era operation in Caracas have stunned observers. Eyewitnesses describe Venezuelan and Cuban forces bleeding, vomiting, and collapsing as experts reveal what the weapon may actually have been.


Mystery Weapon That Brought Nicolas Maduro’s Guards to Their Knees 

Claims of a mysterious “sonic weapon” used during a Trump-era operation in Caracas have stunned observers. Eyewitnesses describe Venezuelan and Cuban forces bleeding, vomiting, and collapsing as experts reveal what the weapon may actually have been.

Discombobulator: Trump's Secret Weapon That Helped Capture Nicolas Maduro

US President Donald Trump on Friday played down the possibility of abducting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, just as he captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a week ago.

Zelensky Calls Onto US To Capture Putin After Maduro, Trump Rules Out Possibility

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez says the country is not being run from Washington, rejecting Donald Trump’s claim that the US now controls Caracas. Meanwhile, Trump said Venezuela would soon hand over tens of millions of barrels of oil to the US.

Trump claims Venezuela will hand over 30 to 50 million barrels of oil, Rodriguez insists 'no foreign power' running country

Venezuela cracks down on foreign journalists after Nicolas Maduro’s arrest by US forces

A Polymarket trader bet on Nicolas Maduro’s capture, then made profit of $400,000 hours later

Did insider trading fuel $400K profit on Polymarket? Betting on Nicolas Maduro's capture sparks debate

The Cartel de los Soles is not a real drug cartel. Experts and US indictments reveal how Trump used the myth to justify action against Venezuela.

DOJ silently admits there is no drug trafficking group named Cartel de los Soles

Nicolas Maduro made his first US court appearance in New York, pleading not guilty to federal charges while insisting he is still Venezuela’s president. Maduro’s wife also pleaded not guilty to charges in the same hearing. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session to address the US operation and Maduro’s abduction, with Venezuela’s UN ambassador, Samuel Moncada, condemning the actions as illegal.

US-Venezuela Tensions: Maduro, Wife To Stay in Detention Centre Until Next Hearing

After seizing Venezuela’s president, Donald Trump’s administration has now shared a taunting cartoon showing Trump stomping rivals. Here's all you need to know.

Trump trolls allies and rivals alike with 'Donroe Doctrine' cartoon after Maduro capture

Venezuela has sworn in Delcy Rodriguez as interim president days after the US seized Nicolas Maduro. Backed by the military and ordered into office by a US court, Rodriguez promises cooperation with Washington.

Who is Delcy Rodriguez? Maduro's second-in-command sworn in as Venezuela's acting president

Gunfire and drones over Caracas rattled nerves near the presidential palace just days after Nicolas Maduro was ousted. Security forces opened fire as residents watched red lights in the sky, raising fresh fears that Venezuela’s fragile post-Maduro calm may already be cracking.

Gunfire erupts near Venezuela presidential palace days after Nicolas Maduro capture. Watch

Who is Barry Pollack, the lawyer behind Julian Assange’s release who is now defending Nicolas Maduro?

'I AM INNOCENT. I CONSIDER MYSELF A PRISONER OF WAR: Nicolas Maduro tells court

President Trump stated the United States is now "in charge of Venezuela," emphasising efforts to stabilize and fix the country before considering elections. The remarks follow the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro and signal Washington's direct role in the nation's transition amid global scrutiny.


US Secretary of State Suggests US Won't Govern Venezuela

Trump’s comments came Saturday as he defended the Venezuela operation, characterizing Maduro as a “narco-terrorist.” When asked about implications for neighboring countries, Trump doubled down on his criticism of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a key Maduro ally.

Trump Says Colombia Is 'Run By Sick Man', Reiterates Cocaine Allegations

President Trump stated the United States is now "in charge of Venezuela," emphasising efforts to stabilize and fix the country before considering elections. The remarks follow the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro and signal Washington's direct role in the nation's transition amid global scrutiny.

Trump Says 'U.S. In Charge' of Venezuela 

North Korea defended its recent missile launch as a justified response to the "recent geopolitical crisis" triggered by the U.S. military strike and capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro. Pyongyang framed the test as a key strategic move amid escalating global tensions following Washington's intervention in Caracas. 


North Korea Missile Launch Justified: 'Reaction to Recent Geopolitical Crisis'

Raising concerns Chinese Foreign Ministere said that the international landscape was becoming increasingly volatile and unilateral decisions are being taken which he called it as a bullying behaviour.

No country is an international judge, says China amid Maduro capture by US

US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a pre-dawn raid at his Caracas residence, according to officials. The operation marks a dramatic escalation in US–Venezuela tensions and has triggered global political and market reactions.

US President Trump Announces Maduro Prosecution Plans

Cilia Flores, a lawyer from a humble background, rose through former president Hugo Chávez’s socialist movement in the 1990s to become a prominent lawmaker. She and Maduro, partners since the late 1990s and married in 2013, played a central role in strengthening Maduro’s hold on power.

Bribes, cocaine flights & power: US charges President Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores over drug trafficking bribes

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