The US special forces' raid and Maduro's capture have strained China-Venezuela relations, with China condemning the US actions and social media discussing potential parallels for Taiwan, though Beijing officially maintains a cautious stance on Taiwan and criticizes US hegemony.
A US operation in Venezuela led to celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and others being stranded on St. Barts due to airspace shutdowns, but the mood among the wealthy remained relaxed with parties and good spirits despite the geopolitical tensions.
Venezuelan ex-president Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty in a US court to drug trafficking charges after being captured in a US military raid, with his legal team questioning the legality of his seizure and potential trial delays expected. The incident has sparked international concern and regional instability.
Michael Burry, known for 'The Big Short,' warns that the US raid on Venezuela marks a significant paradigm shift in global energy markets, with long-term implications for China, Russia, and North America, including potential benefits for US oil companies and lower consumer fuel prices.
Cuba reports that 32 of its citizens were killed during a U.S. military raid on Venezuela, which resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and heightened tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, with Cuba condemning the attack as an act of aggression.
Venezuela holds the world's largest proven crude oil reserves with over 300 billion barrels, but accounts for less than 1% of global daily crude production. Recently, the US conducted a surprise raid capturing President Nicolás Maduro, citing law enforcement reasons, and announced plans to tap into Venezuela's oil reserves, aiming to revitalize its oil infrastructure and boost economic gains.
Over 300 South Korean workers detained during a US ICE raid at a Georgia battery plant have returned home, sparking widespread anger and accusations of betrayal from South Korea, which criticizes the US for treating its citizens harshly and questions the trust in their alliance.
NPR's investigation challenges the Pentagon's denial of civilian harm in the 2019 U.S. raid on ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The Pentagon now says it will review new information brought to light about the incident. The U.S. airstrikes targeted three men driving a van near Baghdadi's compound, killing two and gravely wounding one. Relatives of the men claim they were civilians, not militants. NPR obtained Pentagon documents that reveal flaws in the Pentagon's claims, including a lack of evidence that the men were combatants. Several Democratic members of Congress have called for a reinvestigation of the incident.