Caribbean Standoff

Rapidly escalating crisis after the U.S. raid on Caracas and capture of Nicolás Maduro. Tracking U.S. naval deployments, airstrikes, regional reactions, and rising risks of wider conflict across the Caribbean as political, military, and narco-trafficking tensions intensify.

Mexican Navy searches for missing humanitarian aid vessels bound for Cuba

Two sailboats carrying nine multinational crew and supplies disappeared en route to Havana as island faces deepening crisis

By Alex Thompson

/ 27 Mar 2026

Mexican Navy searches for missing humanitarian aid vessels bound for Cuba

Maduro challenges U.S. sanctions blocking legal defense payment in Manhattan court

Defense attorney argues OFAC restrictions violate Sixth Amendment right to counsel in second hearing today

By Alex Thompson

/ 26 Mar 2026

Maduro challenges U.S. sanctions blocking legal defense payment in Manhattan court

Venezuela dismisses defense minister after 11 years in major military shake-up

Acting President Rodriguez replaces Vladimir Padrino Lopez with intelligence chief Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez

By Alex Thompson

/ 18 Mar 2026

Venezuela dismisses defense minister after 11 years in major military shake-up

Trump administration prepares criminal indictment against Venezuela's Rodriguez

Draft charges for corruption and money laundering mark sharp escalation despite president's recent public praise

By Diego Martinez

/ 4 Mar 2026

Trump administration prepares criminal indictment against Venezuela's Rodriguez

Armed Cubans from Florida killed in firefight with Cuban border troops

Havana labels boat infiltration 'terrorism' as Washington launches probe into deadly clash off Villa Clara coast

By Diego Martinez

/ 26 Feb 2026

Armed Cubans from Florida killed in firefight with Cuban border troops

Venezuela's interim leader accepts U.S. invitation as energy secretary visits Caracas

Wright's trip signals consolidation of Washington's influence over oil sector following Maduro's capture

By Diego Martinez

/ 12 Feb 2026

Venezuela's interim leader accepts U.S. invitation as energy secretary visits Caracas

Venezuelan rights activist Javier Tarazona released after 1,675 days detention

Director of FundaRedes freed amid interim government prisoner release program, but over 700 political detainees remain

By Diego Martinez

/ 1 Feb 2026

Venezuelan rights activist Javier Tarazona released after 1,675 days detention

Trump reopens Venezuelan airspace

Decision follows White House conversation with acting president, signaling deepening U.S. control over post-intervention state

By Diego Martinez

/ 29 Jan 2026

Trump administration weighs naval blockade as Cuba teeters on economic collapse

Mexico cancels oil shipments under US pressure, leaving Havana without viable energy supply as Washington considers direct maritime intervention

By Diego Martinez

/ 27 Jan 2026

Trump administration weighs naval blockade as Cuba teeters on economic collapse

Venezuela's acting leader defies Washington to secure domestic power base

Delcy Rodríguez's calculated rebuke reveals the structural contradictions facing U.S.-backed transition governments

By Diego Martinez

/ 26 Jan 2026

Venezuela's acting leader defies Washington to secure domestic power base

Venezuela releases 80 more political prisoners as government's prisoner count remains unverified

Latest batch brings total to 236 confirmed by rights groups, far below interim president's claimed 626, as UN verification call looms

By Diego Martinez

/ 25 Jan 2026

Venezuela releases 80 more political prisoners as government's prisoner count remains unverified

Trump floats role for Machado as US negotiates with Maduro's successor

Personal gestures and parallel power channels define post-operation Venezuela policy, testing coherence of stated democratic aims

By Viktor Petersen

/ 20 Jan 2026

Trump floats role for Machado as US negotiates with Maduro's successor