China’s highly touted radars appear to have been of little help when the US launched its massive airstrike against Venezuela

China’s highly touted radars appear to have been of little help when the US launched its massive airstrike against Venezuela

Chinese air defense radars in Venezuela were no game changer during the US raid to capture Maduro. China has touted the combat effectiveness of radars like the JY-27A. The lack of effect recently raises questions about both the radar and its operators. Venezuela’s military had Chinese-made anti-aircraft radars at its disposal when the US launched … Read more

Wiretaps catch Colombian cocaine ring discussing Venezuelan military’s ‘Sun Cartel’

Wiretaps catch Colombian cocaine ring discussing Venezuelan military’s ‘Sun Cartel’

The broker told his client that he had a relative in the “little red party” with connections to the “famous suns” who, for an upfront fee, would guarantee the safe passage of the container of cocaine onto the ship docked in the Venezuelan port. The cocaine – a 32 kilogram shipment hidden inside two electrical … Read more

The hidden cost of war with Venezuela: Florida gets the bill

The hidden cost of war with Venezuela: Florida gets the bill

For years, whenever Washington talked about a “military option” against Venezuela, the talk was usually limited to the language of foreign policy, deterrence or “regime change.” What was almost never said was that, should such a confrontation begin, its main consequences would be felt not in Caracas, but inside the United States – and more … Read more

With Venezuela raid, US tells China to stay away from the Americas

With Venezuela raid, US tells China to stay away from the Americas

By Michael Martina, Trevor Hunnicutt and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (Reuters) – Among the many goals of the U.S. military operation last week that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was to send a message to China: stay away from America. For at least two decades, Beijing has sought to expand its influence in Latin … Read more

Why Venezuela’s ‘very dense, very sloppy’ increase in oil production could harm the environment

Why Venezuela’s ‘very dense, very sloppy’ increase in oil production could harm the environment

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Environmental experts warn that U.S. efforts to modernize and boost Venezuela’s vast oil reserves could worsen decades of ecological damage and increase pollution from global warming in a country already struggling with the legacy of a declining oil industry. The warnings come as Washington has stepped up pressure on Venezuela following … Read more

Trump pushes for $100 billion oil investment in Venezuela, while Exxon and others say it’s currently “uninvestable” without major reforms

Trump pushes for 0 billion oil investment in Venezuela, while Exxon and others say it’s currently “uninvestable” without major reforms

President Donald Trump has said that US oil companies, as well as some European players, will spend at least $100 billion in Venezuela to “rebuild very quickly. [its] dilapidated oil industry” and creating great wealth during a meeting with top oil executives on January 9 at the White House. But the CEOs of ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips … Read more

Venezuela is releasing jailed opposition figures and activists, which Trump says the US has asked him to do

Venezuela is releasing jailed opposition figures and activists, which Trump says the US has asked him to do

GUATIRE, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela on Thursday released a number of jailed high-profile opposition figures, activists and journalists, both citizens and foreigners, in what the government described as a “peace-seeking” gesture less than a week after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces on drug-trafficking charges. US President Donald Trump, who has pressured … Read more

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