US President Donald Trump has said that Venezuela is not yet ready for elections, while praising the country's recent economic progress, particularly its recovering oil industry. Trump credited Venezuela's acting leadership for improving oil production and claimed the country's economy had significantly recovered. However, he said elections would only take place when conditions are right. His remarks come as Venezuela continues to recover from devastating twin earthquakes that have claimed more than 5,398 lives, with thousands still displaced. At the same time, Caracas has announced its decision to permanently withdraw from the International

Trump on Venezuela Elections | Says country 'not ready yet' | US News 

Venezuela's former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are set to face trial in the United States after a federal judge scheduled the start of proceedings for June 1, 2027. The couple appeared in a US federal court more than six months after being captured during a US military operation. Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. The defense is expected to challenge the legality of their capture and argue claims related to immunity from prosecution.

The case has sparked strong reactions, with supporters of Maduro demanding his release while opponents accuse him of dictatorship and supporting criminal activities. Watch the latest updates on Maduro's US trial, Venezuela politics, international law, and global affairs.

US Court sets trial date for Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro and Wife | Drug Trafficking Case

Anna Estevao, the attorney known for her role in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial, has joined Nicolas Maduro’s defence team as the former Venezuelan president fights US drug trafficking charges.

Who is Anna Estevao? Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs lawyer joins Nicolas Maduro’s defence team

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez is heading to The Hague for a land dispute case with Guyana at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The trip to the Netherlands announced on Saturday will be the first time she’s left home since the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro by US forces in January.


Venezuela: Delcy Rodriguez Announces Trip to ICJ to Raise Essequibo Dispute 

US special forces soldier Gannon Van Dyke is accused of using classified Maduro raid information to earn $400K on Polymarket, now facing federal charges

US soldier accused of using classified Nicolas Maduro raid intel to earn $400K on Polymarket to be released on bond

A U.S. soldier is facing serious charges after allegedly earning over $400,000 by placing prediction market bets linked to a covert operation involving Nicolás Maduro. Authorities say the accused used non-public military information tied to the mission and violated strict confidentiality agreements. The case has triggered a wider crackdown on prediction markets, raising concerns about insider trading, national security, and financial misconduct within sensitive operations.


$400K Betting Scandal: US Soldier Accused Of Insider Wager On Nicolas Maduro Operation

How did a US soldier allegedly turn a top-secret mission into a $400,000 payday? A serviceman tied to a classified operation involving Nicolás Maduro is now facing fraud and espionage-linked charges.

What exactly did he know, and how did he game the system? Scroll down to find out.

'Profiting off righteous operation': How an army soldier used secret war plans about Maduro's capture to make $400,000 on Polymarket

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is demanding that fresh presidential elections be held "as soon as possible" following the removal of Nicolas Maduro from power, asserting that a "permanent vacancy" exists in the country's leadership. 


Venezuela's Opposition Leader Demands Fresh Presidential Elections

Is Donald Trump serious about running for president of another country? The POTUS joked about contesting in Venezuela, claiming he’d “poll higher than anybody” and even said he’d learn Spanish. Just a joke or something more behind it?

Scroll down to read more.

‘I’ll quickly learn Spanish’: Trump says he may run for Venezuela president, claims he’d win big

Tekashi 6ix9ine says Nicolás Maduro signed his SpongeBob toy while both were held at MDC Brooklyn. The rapper shared a video after his release, reigniting headlines around the unusual prison connection.

Tekashi 6ix9ine flaunts signed SpongeBob toy from Nicolás Maduro after release from Brooklyn jail

Nicolás Maduro has once again appeared in a New York federal court, weeks after his dramatic capture by US forces and extradition over narcoterrorism and drug trafficking charges. In his first US court hearing, Maduro rejected the allegations and controversially described himself as a “prisoner of war” rather than a criminal defendant, arguing that his capture was a military act and part of a broader geopolitical struggle.


US: Nicolas Maduro, Wife Cilia Flores Battle US Sanctions in Court

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York federal courtroom alongside his wife Cilia Flores as part of his ongoing U.S. drug trafficking and narco‑terrorism case. The hearing focused on a dispute over whether Venezuela’s government can fund his legal defense amid U.S. sanctions, which Maduro’s team says violates his rights and undermines his ability to mount a defense. 


Ex-Venezuela Leader Arrived in New York Court with Wife; Dispute Over Maduro's Legal Fees

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

Nicolas Maduro, News on Nicolas Maduro, stories on Nicolas Maduro, articles on Nicolas Maduro, Nicolas Maduro stories at Wion, Nicolas Maduro news, Nicolas Maduro latest news

nicolas maduro

Trump on Venezuela Elections | Says country 'not ready yet' | US News

US Court sets trial date for Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro and Wife | Drug Trafficking Case

Who is Anna Estevao? Sean ‘Diddy’ lawyer joins Nicolas Maduro’s defence team

Venezuela: Delcy Rodriguez Announces Trip to ICJ to Raise Essequibo Dispute

US soldier accused of Maduro raid intel use to earn $400K to be released on bond

$400K Betting Scandal: US Soldier Accused Of Insider Wager On Nicolas Maduro Operation

'Righteous operation?': US soldier turns secret war plans into a $400,000 payday

Venezuela's Opposition Leader Demands Fresh Presidential Elections

Trump for Venezuela president? Says he’ll ‘learn Spanish’ for big win

Tekashi 6ix9ine flaunts signed toy from Maduro after release from Brooklyn jail

US: Nicolas Maduro, Wife Cilia Flores Battle US Sanctions in Court

Ex-Venezuela Leader Arrived in New York Court with Wife; Dispute Over Maduro's Legal Fees

Ex-Venezuela Leader Arrived in New York Court with Wife; Dispute Over Maduro's Legal Fees

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

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

WSJ: Anthropic's Claude AI Deployed in Maduro Raid

Trump: Venezuela Releasing Prisoners At Rapid Rate

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

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

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

Trump claims Venezuela will give US millions of barrels of oil, Rodriguez says..

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

Did insider trading fuel $400K profit on Polymarket?

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