The U.S. launched military strikes on Venezuelan military and port sites amid escalating tensions with Maduro's regime, which the Venezuelan government condemns as aggression. The strikes follow increased U.S. military buildup and threats of land-based operations, with regional and international reactions including Cuba's condemnation and calls for UN intervention.
Vladimir Putin claimed that Donald Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, despite the award going to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her efforts in advocating for Venezuelan freedom, amidst ongoing political tensions and lobbying efforts.
Nicolás Maduro's recent maneuvers, including a referendum on the disputed territory of Essequibo with Guyana, have undermined the Barbados agreements signed between the Venezuelan opposition and the government. These agreements aimed to establish democratic guarantees for free and fair elections. Maduro's actions, such as the arrest of opposition members and the persecution of María Corina Machado and her allies, have raised concerns about the government's commitment to the agreements. The fragile agreements have also been strained by the government's heavy-handedness, including investigations against the organizers of the opposition primaries and derogatory remarks made by the head of the Chavista delegation. The signing of the agreements led to a partial lifting of oil sanctions and increased interest from international oil companies. However, the United States has demanded a procedure for the qualification of electoral candidates, which was achieved just before the given deadline. The government's actions have raised doubts about the future of the agreements and the electoral path in Venezuela.
