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Supporters of Nicolas Maduro hold up a sign with his portrait during a protest against the US actions in Venezuela on January 3, 2026
Image: Javier Campos/dpa/picture alliance

Venezuela

Tensions between the US and the South American country have been rising in recent months, leading to the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to face charges of drug trafficking and terrorism.

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News

January 8, 2026

Venezuela says it will free 'important number' of prisoners

January 8, 2026

Venezuela: Rodriguez 'open' to oil deal as US seizes tankers

January 7, 2026

Venezuela: Trump touts plan to get up to 50M barrels of oil

January 6, 2026

Venezuela updates: Maduro pleads not guilty at NYC court

January 5, 2026

Trump warns Venezuela's interim leader to 'do what's right'

January 4, 2026

Venezuela's Maduro arrives in New York after capture by US

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Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

A placard at a protest in Bogota reads "Gringos go home"

Colombians protest against US aggression in South America

Colombians protest against US aggression in South America

After the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Colombians fear their country may be the next target.
ConflictsJanuary 8, 202602:37 min
Oilfield workers hold a flag with the corporate logo of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA on a drilling rig at an oil well operated by them

Is Venezuelan oil United States' main interest?

Is Venezuelan oil United States' main interest?

Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves. Many think Trump's main interest in Venezuela is access to oil.
BusinessJanuary 8, 202602:39 min
Xi Jinping and Nicolas Maduro walk together with flags behind them during a diplomatic event in Beijing (September 1, 2015)

Maduro's downfall deals China new cards in US rivalry

Maduro's downfall deals China new cards in US rivalry

China is "deeply shocked" by the Trump administration's attack on Venezuela, a notable Beijing ally in Latin America.
ConflictsJanuary 8, 2026
Military personnel remove their caps in honor of fellow soldiers killed in the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife during the soldiers' funeral in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.

What US attack says about Venezuela's military strength

What US attack says about Venezuela's military strength

US forces encountered little resistance from Venezuela's military when they captured Nicolas Maduro in a surprise raid.
ConflictsJanuary 8, 202601:42 min
This black-and-white frame grab from a video released by US Southern Command on January 7, 2026, shows what US Southern Command says is US military forces interdicting a vessel, M/T Sophia, in the Caribbean Sea on January 7, 2026.

US forces seize oil tankers tied to Venezuela

US forces seize oil tankers tied to Venezuela

The two tankers were allegedly conducting illicit activities, with one of the ships a part of Russia's "shadow fleet."
ConflictsJanuary 8, 202601:41 min
A Colombian soldier stands guard at the border crossing with Venezuela in Cucuta

Colombia, Cuba and Mexico: Are these Trump's next targets?

Colombia, Cuba and Mexico: Are these Trump's next targets?

Following the attack on Venezuela, the US has been threatening other countries in the region. But they remain defiant.
PoliticsJanuary 7, 2026
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Vladimir Putin shaking hands with Nicolas Maduro in Moscow in front of flags

Why Russia has kept quiet over Maduro's ouster in Venezuela

Russia watched in silence as the US arrested Nicolas Maduro. What does the surprise attack mean for the war in Ukraine?
PoliticsJanuary 7, 2026
A local walks past a mural featuring oil pumps and wells in Caracas, Venezuela

Venezuela: Trump's $3 billion oil windfall — why it matters

DW explores how Donald Trump's deal with Venezuela's interim government could be a blow to China, Russia, Iran and Cuba.
TradeJanuary 7, 2026
Iranian men read newspapers on a street

Maduro's capture in Venezuela sends warning signal to Iran

The Venezuelan leader's capture is being closely watched in Iran, where nationwide protests are pressuring the regime.
ConflictsJanuary 7, 2026
Omid Nouripour, foreign policy expert with the German opposition party The Greens and Vice-President of the German Parliament, a balding man with a graying beard, wearing a dark blue suit and striped shirt, in a DW interview

Venezuela: US 'not giving a damn' about European interests

Omid Nouripour of the Greens speaks to DW about the US raid in Venezuela and Donald Trump's claims to annex Greenland.
ConflictsJanuary 6, 202612:20 min
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport surrounded by armed US police and DEA agents

'US intervention in Venezuela violated int'l law': experts

International law experts have said the US abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro sets a dangerous precedent.
PoliticsJanuary 6, 2026
Donald Trump (right) watching the US military operation in Venezuela from a room at Mar-a-Lago. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) is pointing and CIA director John Ratcliffe (center) is looking on

After Venezuela, can the EU protect Greenland from the US?

Concerns are growing over how far Washington might go — and if the EU has any real tools to defend Danish territory.
PoliticsJanuary 5, 2026
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