What to do with Beijing’s debt and oil stakes

What to do with Beijing’s debt and oil stakes

WASHINGTON (AP) — When it comes to claiming that Venezuelan oil is now under his control, President Donald Trump doesn’t mince words. But no small part of that oil belongs to China under contracts it struck with Caracas years ago, setting the stage for a delicate diplomatic dance over the next few weeks. Some experts … Read more

Russia strongly condemns US seizure of oil tanker and warns of rising tensions

Russia strongly condemns US seizure of oil tanker and warns of rising tensions

Russia strongly condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker on Thursday, signaling a further chill in relations between Moscow and Washington that could spill over into other areas and hurt President Donald Trump’s efforts to persuade Russia to end its nearly four-year war in Ukraine. Wednesday’s capture of the Russian-flagged tanker in the North … Read more

US-Venezuela oil deal angers China, pushes prices down

US-Venezuela oil deal angers China, pushes prices down

My Marina Wide HOUSTON/BEIJING, Jan 7 (Reuters) – Global oil prices fell on Wednesday as China denounced the U.S. as an aggressor after President Donald Trump’s administration said it had persuaded Venezuela to divert supplies from Beijing and import up to $2 billion worth of crude. The deal was in line with Trump’s stated goal … Read more

Maduro’s motorcycle henchmen go door-to-door looking for Trump supporters

Maduro’s motorcycle henchmen go door-to-door looking for Trump supporters

A highway in Caracas is full of cars. But far from typical rush-hour traffic, Avenida Boyacá, a highway that runs past El Avila National Park in the Venezuelan capital, has come to a standstill as masked men wielding Kalashnikovs stop drivers and demand to search their phones and cars. Gangs of armed men, part of … Read more

Trump Says His Voters Loved the Venezuela Attack — Here’s What They Really Think

Trump Says His Voters Loved the Venezuela Attack — Here’s What They Really Think

It’s only been days since a daring US raid plucked Nicolás Maduro from a Venezuelan military base and rushed him to a Brooklyn prison, but Detroit-area Trump supporter Aaron Tobin can already see it all on the big screen. It will be the subject of movies for years to come, he predicts. “I am excited.” … Read more

What Americans think about the situation in Venezuela, according to recent polls

What Americans think about the situation in Venezuela, according to recent polls

WASHINGTON (AP) — There are few signs that President Donald Trump’s supporters wanted the United States to become more involved in foreign conflicts ahead of his military action in Venezuela — even as many Republicans show initial support for his military strike there, according to an Associated Press analysis of recent polling. Most Americans wanted … Read more

US attack on Venezuela to encourage China’s territorial claims, Taiwan attack unlikely, analysts say

US attack on Venezuela to encourage China’s territorial claims, Taiwan attack unlikely, analysts say

By Brenda Goh and Laurie Chen SHANGHAI/BEIJING, Jan 4 (Reuters) – A U.S. attack on Venezuela will encourage China to strengthen its territorial claims over areas such as Taiwan and parts of the South China Sea, but will not hasten any potential invasion of Taiwan, analysts said. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s views on Taiwan and … Read more

After Maduro’s capture, Trump’s tough talk evokes a return to the days of US imperialism

After Maduro’s capture, Trump’s tough talk evokes a return to the days of US imperialism

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has not minced words about the larger message he is trying to send to the world with the U.S. military raid to capture Nicolás Maduro and bring the ousted Venezuelan leader and his wife to the United States to face federal drug-trafficking charges. “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere,” … Read more

US allies and adversaries are using the UN meeting to criticize Venezuela’s intervention while America defends it

US allies and adversaries are using the UN meeting to criticize Venezuela’s intervention while America defends it

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Both allies and adversaries of the United States used an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Monday to express opposition to the bold U.S. military operation in Venezuela that captured leader Nicolás Maduro. Before the UN’s most powerful body, the countries have criticized – if sometimes obliquely – President … Read more

Trump eyes Greenland

Trump eyes Greenland

Donald Trump has signaled that Greenland is in his sights after capturing Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan dictator, and taking him to the US to stand trial. “We need Greenland, absolutely,” the US president told The Atlantic magazine, adding that the Danish territory is “surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.” He said officials in his administration … Read more