Trump addressed Republicans at the Kennedy Center in Washington, days after US forces on Saturday (Jan 3) captured the Venezuelan leader during an operation described as part of America’s war against drug cartels and traffickers.

‘Melania hates it, Maduro copies it’: Trump’s bizarre claim on his dance moves after Venezuela operation

The US extraction of Nicolás Maduro risks repeating its failed Latin American interventions. Trump's plans to ‘run the country’ could fuel nationalism, guerrilla conflict, and a resurgence of socialism while destabilising Venezuela and the wider region.

Carcasses in Caracas: US 'running' Venezuela is a bad idea, and we've seen that movie before. How it failed in Latin America

Colombian President Gustavo Petro hit back at Donald Trump’s threats, rejecting accusations of drug trafficking and warning the US against military action. Petro said bombing Colombia or targeting its president would kill civilians and spark unrest, urging respect for Latin America.

‘Stop slandering me’: Colombian President Petro slams Trump’s threats, warns against bombing his country

After Trump’s January 3 Venezuela operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, his critics allege that it was a  tactic to deflect from the Epstein file releases row. If that's the case, it's not something new: US presidents have a history of using foreign actions to shift domestic attention.

Change the headline: Did Trump extract Maduro to divert attention from Epstein files fallout? Clinton, Bush, Reagan took similar actions

Earlier on Thursday (Dec 18), Trump said that he does not need congressional approval to order military strikes on Venezuelan soil amid rising tensions with the country. 

‘Venezuelan regime is intolerable’: Rubio defends Trump amid war concerns

The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading a “terrorist” drug cartel – an accusation he denies. The Venezuelan president has contended that Trump seeks to oust him, adding that Venezuelan citizens and the military will resist any such attempt.

Trump to launch new phase of Venezuela operation? Several airlines cancel flights after US warning

This comes as tensions in the Caribbean escalate with the presence of the US military, which has hardened its crackdown against drug cartels.

Maduro hints at ‘face to face’ talks, but Trump won’t ‘rule out’ US troops in Venezuela

trump-maduro

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

trump maduro

‘Melania hates it, Maduro copies it’: Trump’s bizarre claim on his dance moves after Venezuela operation

Carcasses in Caracas: why US 'running' Venezuela is a bad idea

‘Stop slandering me’: Colombian President Petro slams Trump’s threats

Change of headline: Trump's Maduro arrest to divert attention from Epstein row?

‘Venezuelan regime is intolerable’: Rubio defends Trump amid war concerns

Trump to launch new phase of Venezuela operation? Airlines cancel flights

Maduro hints at talks, but Trump won’t ‘rule out’ US troops in Venezuela