{"id":8979,"date":"2026-01-07T19:49:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T19:49:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/01\/07\/live-updates-u-s-seizes-two-sanctioned-tankers-trump-says-venezuela-will-turn-over-up-to-50-million-barrels-of-oil-nbc-news\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T19:49:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T19:49:45","slug":"live-updates-u-s-seizes-two-sanctioned-tankers-trump-says-venezuela-will-turn-over-up-to-50-million-barrels-of-oil-nbc-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/01\/07\/live-updates-u-s-seizes-two-sanctioned-tankers-trump-says-venezuela-will-turn-over-up-to-50-million-barrels-of-oil-nbc-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Live updates: U.S. seizes two sanctioned tankers, Trump says Venezuela will ‘turn over’ up to 50 million barrels of oil – NBC News"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n

18m ago \/ 2:30 PM EST<\/p>\n

Venezuelan state owned oil company disputes deal with U.S.<\/h2>\n
\n

The\u00a0state-owned oil and gas company of Venezuela, Petr\u00f3leos de Venezuela, S.A., disputed that it made a deal to sell oil to the U.S.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday night, Trump announced that \u201cthe Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.\u201d<\/p>\n

PDVSA said in a statement on Wednesday that it was only in “negotiations” over the sale of oil. The company added that it would be \u201ca strictly commercial transaction, with the criteria of legality, transparency, and benefit for both parties.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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49m ago \/ 1:59 PM EST<\/p>\n

Russia pleads U.S. to ensure safety of citizens on seized tanker<\/h2>\n
\n

In its state media, Russia pleaded with the U.S. to ensure the safe return of its citizens on a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized today.<\/p>\n

The U.S. seized the tanker in question, formerly known as Bella 1, earlier today after it fled the American blockade of\u00a0Venezuela last month<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The tanker was seized in European waters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2h ago \/ 1:31 PM EST<\/p>\n

Speaker Mike Johnson: \u2018We\u2019re not involved with boots on the ground\u2019 in Venezuela <\/h2>\n
\n

After a briefing with the entire House, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that \u201cwe\u2019re not involved with boots on the ground\u201d in Venezuela.<\/p>\n

Responding to questions from reporters, he added, \u201cWe don\u2019t anticipate boots on the ground,\u201d in Venezuela, Greenland or anywhere else Trump administration officials have floated taking action in recent days.<\/p>\n

His remarks came after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that while there are no boots on the ground in Venezuela, \u201cthe president, of course, reserves the right to use the United States military if necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later in the White House briefing, Leavitt didn\u2019t rule out the possibility of using military forces in Greenland.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAll options are always on the table for President Trump as he examines what\u2019s in the best interest of the United States, but I will just say that the president\u2019s first option always has been diplomacy,\u201d she said. \u201cAgain, look at Venezuela: He tried ardently to strike a good deal with Nicol\u00e1s Maduro, and he told him, ‘I will use the United States military and you will not like it, if you don\u2019t take such a deal,’ and look at what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson also spoke about the goal of the U.S. to open the door for democracy in Venezuela, saying that the mission won\u2019t be paid for by the American people.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t assume that any U.S. taxpayer dollars will be spent to run an election in Venezuela,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2h ago \/ 1:03 PM EST<\/p>\n

Rubio says U.S. is not ‘winging it’ in Venezuela <\/h2>\n
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back on the criticism of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela. <\/p>\n

Addressing reporters on Capitol Hill following a private meeting with senators, Rubio said the U.S. is “not winging it” in Venezuela.<\/p>\n

“The bottom line is, we\u2019ve gone into great detail with them about the planning. We\u2019ve described it to him,” Rubio said, addressing reporters on Capitol Hill. “In fact, it\u2019s not just winging it. It\u2019s not just saying or speculating, it\u2019s going to happen. It\u2019s already happening.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3h ago \/ 12:39 PM EST<\/p>\n

Mother mourns at wake for Venezuelan soldier<\/h2>\n
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\"Ramona<\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Matias Delacroix \/ AP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Ramona Palma, mother of Cesar Garcia, mourns during his wake in Caracas today. Garcia was killed in the U.S. raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicol\u00e1s Maduro. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3h ago \/ 12:21 PM EST<\/p>\n

Chuck Schumer, Tim Kaine call on Senate and House GOP leadership to hold hearings on Venezuela <\/h2>\n
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Following a briefing for all senators from Trump administration officials about Venezuela, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told reporters that they\u2019d like House and Senate GOP leadership to hold public hearings about the Trump administration\u2019s operations in Venezuela.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe American people need answers,\u201d Schumer told reporters after accusing Trump administration officials of only briefing lawmakers behind closed doors.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither the House or the Senate have been willing to hold a hearing. … Why not?\u201d Kaine asked.<\/p>\n

The Senate minority leader added that he was \u201ctotally dissatisfied\u201d with the answers senators received from the Trump administration briefers about conducting future operations in other countries, succession in Venezuela and whether the U.S. will try to take control of Greenland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3h ago \/ 12:16 PM EST<\/p>\n

Karoline Leavitt lays out the future of Venezuelan oil <\/h2>\n
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing that the U.S. government \u201chas already begun marketing Venezuelan crude oil\u201d with the global marketplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan crude oil and products will first settle in U.S.-controlled accounts at globally recognized banks to guarantee the legitimacy and integrity of the ultimate distribution of proceeds, and those funds will be dispersed for the benefit of the American people and the Venezuelan people at the discretion of the United States government,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Trump\u00a0said\u00a0yesterday<\/a>\u00a0that the interim Venezuelan government will turn over 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3h ago \/ 12:05 PM EST<\/p>\n

Rubio says he outlined three-step process for future of Venezuela in Senate briefing<\/h2>\n
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Following a briefing from Trump administration officials to all senators on Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the three-phase process the U.S. plans to embark on in Venezuela, a process Rubio said he outlined in detail to the Senate.<\/p>\n

\u201cStep one is the stabilization of the country. We don\u2019t want it descending into chaos,\u201d Rubio told reporters, adding that stabilization includes the \u201cquarantine\u201d of oil in Venezuela.<\/p>\n

He highlighted Trump\u2019s vision, which he announced overnight<\/a>, that includes a plan to sell 30 million to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil at market rates.<\/p>\n

The money from that sale of oil \u201cwill then be handled in such a way that we will control how it is dispersed in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people,\u201d Rubio said. <\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe second phase will be a phase that we call recovery,\u201d the secretary of state added. \u201cAnd that is ensuring that American, western and other companies have access to the Venezuelan market in a way that\u2019s fair.\u201d<\/p>\n

Phase two also includes reconciling with the Venezuelan government to ensure that \u201copposition forces can be amnestied and released,\u201d Rubio said. <\/p>\n

Since Saturday, Maduro\u2019s vice president, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, has been serving as interim president, fueling worry among the leaders of Venezuela\u2019s opposition parties, many of whom live in exile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe third phase, of course, will be one of transition,\u201d Rubio told reporters, adding, \u201cWe feel like we\u2019ll be moving forward here in a very positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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4h ago \/ 11:48 AM EST<\/p>\n

U.S. attack on Venezuela destroyed building that held servers to computer networks<\/h2>\n
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The U.S. attack on Venezuela “destroyed” the Mathematics Center of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research, a building that previously housed a number of “servers and equipment essential to our computer networks, which were completely devastated,” Gabriela Jimenez, the Venezuelan minister for science and technology, said in an Instagram post that showcased the destruction. <\/a><\/p>\n

Four other research centers \u2014 including the physics center, the chemistry center, the ecology center and the nuclear technology unit \u2014 were also affected when two missiles struck the institute. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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4h ago \/ 11:31 AM EST<\/p>\n

U.S. ‘selectively rolling back’ oil sanctions to enable transport and sale of oil<\/h2>\n
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As Trump announced overnight, Venezuela will be “turning over” 30 million to 50 million barrels of “high-quality, sanctioned oil.”<\/p>\n

“These oil sales begin immediately” and “will continue indefinitely,” a senior administration official told NBC News.<\/p>\n

The U.S. is “selectively rolling back” sanctions to enable the transport and sale of Venezuelan crude and oil products to global markets, the official added.<\/p>\n

As for what conditions Trump is placing on Venezuela\u2019s interim leader to enforce these actions, the official said: “The president is speaking about exerting maximum leverage with the remaining elements in Venezuela and ensuring they cooperate with the United States by halting illegal migration, stopping drug flows, revitalizing oil infrastructure, and doing what is right for the Venezuelan people.”<\/p>\n

\"Venezuela<\/p>\n

<\/span>A mural featuring oil pumps and wells in Caracas yesterday.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Matias Delacroix \/ AP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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4h ago \/ 11:11 AM EST<\/p>\n

Opposition leader Machado says her government should lead Venezuela<\/h2>\n
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Venezuelan opposition leader Mar\u00eda Corina Machado has said her government should be leading Venezuela after Maduro’s ouster. <\/p>\n

Machado won the primary to challenge Maduro in the 2024 presidential election, but was then banned from running by the country’s government. Retired diplomat Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez\u00a0stepped in to replace her and was declared the winner by the U.S. and other nations as Maduro was accused of rigging the votes in his favor. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe people of Venezuela have already chosen\u201d\u00a0who should lead the country now that Maduro is out of power, Machado told \u201cCBS Evening News\u201d anchor Tony Dokoupil last night<\/a>. <\/p>\n

When asked whether she means she should be the country’s next leader, Machado said, “Absolutely yes,” noting that her coalition has a president-elect \u2014 Gonz\u00e1lez. <\/p>\n

“We are ready and willing to serve our people, as we have been mandated,” she told CBS News. <\/p>\n

Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, Maduro’s vice president, has been installed into power to lead Venezuela.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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4h ago \/ 10:58 AM EST<\/p>\n

U.S. officials confirm seizure of second tanker today<\/h2>\n
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The Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security confirmed in separate statements that the U.S. Coast Guard seized a second tanker today.<\/p>\n

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement on X that the Motor Taker Sophia was also seized this morning in the Caribbean. The Coast Guard is escorting the second tanker to the U.S., according to the DOD. <\/p>\n

“The world\u2019s criminals are on notice,” Noem said in the statement. “You can run, but you can\u2019t hide. We will never relent in our mission to protect the American people and disrupt the funding of narco terrorism wherever we find it, period.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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5h ago \/ 10:37 AM EST<\/p>\n

Russia Ministry of Transport says U.S. does not have jurisdiction to use force against its vessels<\/h2>\n
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Following the U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan-linked oil tanker that was sailing under a Russian flag, the country’s transportation ministry said that “no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered under the jurisdiction of other states.”<\/p>\n

According to the ministry, the Marinera was given permission to sail under a Russian flag on Dec. 24. The U.S. boarded the ship today at 3 p.m. local time, the statement said, “in the high seas beyond the territorial waters of any state.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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5h ago \/ 10:03 AM EST<\/p>\n

Defense Secretary Hegseth says oil sanctions on Venezuela remain intact<\/h2>\n
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Shortly after the U.S. seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the sanctions on the country’s oil remain in effect. <\/p>\n

“The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT \u2014 anywhere in the world,” Hegseth said in a post on X<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The U.S. placed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil in the weeks leading up to this weekend’s attack on the country and the capture of Maduro. <\/p>\n

\"Secretary<\/p>\n

<\/span>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak to reporters after they briefed Senators on Capitol Hill today.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Brendan Smialowski \/ AFP – Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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6h ago \/ 9:34 AM EST<\/p>\n

Mike Johnson says he thinks the White House is \u2018looking at diplomatic channels\u2019 for Greenland<\/h2>\n
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House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said this morning that he doesn\u2019t \u201cthink anybody\u2019s talking about using military force in Greenland\u201d after he was asked whether he expressed his opposition to the idea to Trump.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re looking at diplomatic channels,\u201d Johnson told reporters.<\/p>\n

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement yesterday that Trump\u2019s team was discussing \u201ca range of options\u201d to acquire Greenland, adding, \u201cutilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief\u2019s disposal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked about Leavitt\u2019s comments on using the military, Johnson said that \u201cthe U.S. always has military options for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a general statement,\u201d he said. \u201cI think with Greenland, it\u2019s very clear that we are working on their diplomatic channels.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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6h ago \/ 9:23 AM EST<\/p>\n

Trump to meet with oil executives at White House<\/h2>\n
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Trump is expected to meet with oil executives at the White House on Friday, according to a White House official.<\/p>\n

Representatives from Chevron, Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips are planning to attend, the official said, with more likely to be added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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6h ago \/ 9:08 AM EST<\/p>\n

Wanted by the U.S., Venezuela’s interior minister makes his allegiances clear<\/h2>\n
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Overnight, a show of defiance inside Venezuela from Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello Rond\u00f3n, who posted a video to social media making his allegiances clear.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Surrounded by armed men, together they chanted, \u201cLoyal always, never traitors.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The State Department has a $25 million reward out for Cabello\u2019s arrest. On its website, it accuses Cabello Rond\u00f3n of coordination with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) \u201cin furtherance of the narco-terrorism conspiracy in order to transport and distribute large cocaine shipments\u201d and providing security for them. <\/p>\n

It adds that he helped to \u201cprovide the FARC with military-grade weapons, including machine guns, ammunition, rocket launchers, and explosives equipment.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n

Cabello Rond\u00f3n\u2019s video was posted after supporters of deposed President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro marched through the capital, Caracas, to show their support for the man now held in American custody.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The government is also still cracking down on dissent, arresting people for celebrating Maduro\u2019s capture. Journalists have also been detained.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople really don\u2019t want to leave their homes,\u201d one Venezuelan man said after crossing the border into Colombia. \u201cThere are armed groups outside conducting searches.\u201d<\/p>\n

NBC News agreed not to use his name over fears for his security.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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7h ago \/ 8:37 AM EST<\/p>\n

U.S. launches operation to seize Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela <\/h2>\n
\n
\"FILE<\/p>\n

<\/span>The vessel tanker Bella 1, now called the Marinera, at Singapore Strait, in March 2025.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Hakon Rimmereid \/ via Reuters<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

The United States launched an operation today to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic, two U.S. officials told NBC News, following a dramatic weekslong chase on the high seas.<\/p>\n

The ship has been secured, according to one of the U.S. officials.<\/p>\n

The vessel, which changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Marinera, was initially pursued by the U.S. Coast Guard off Venezuela last month.<\/p>\n

It emerged as a new\u00a0flashpoint between Washington and Moscow<\/a>\u00a0and threatened to undermine the Trump administration\u2019s\u00a0blockade of the Latin American country<\/a>. The Kremlin, a strong supporter of the Maduro regime, criticized what it said was \u201cdisproportionate\u201d U.S. attention on the tanker.<\/p>\n

Read the full story on the seizure here<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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7h ago \/ 8:26 AM EST<\/p>\n

Trump says U.S. military is an option in acquiring Greenland<\/h2>\n
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President Trump and his team are discussing a “range of options” for acquiring Greenland, a renewed push from his administration to acquire the nation currently controlled by Denmark. <\/p>\n

He said that “utilizing the U.S. military is always an option” in taking over Greenland and insisted that the U.S. needs control over the country for security reasons. <\/p>\n

Both Greenland and Denmark have requested a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio following Trump’s latest comments. <\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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7h ago \/ 8:00 AM EST<\/p>\n

Trump announces Venezuela will give barrels of oil to the U.S., praises Maduro capture as ‘amazing’ <\/h2>\n
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Overnight, Trump announced that Venezuela would turn over 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S., which will be sold at market price. He added that the profits will be used to fund both U.S. and Venezuelan interests. <\/p>\n

Trump also praised the strike that ultimately captured Maduro and his wife as “amazing.” <\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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7h ago \/ 7:51 AM EST<\/p>\n

A look at who\u2019s who in Venezuela\u2019s current leadership <\/h2>\n
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After Nicol\u00e1s Maduro was detained by the U.S., attention shifted to the other influential figures in Venezuela who may shape the country\u2019s future. NBC News breaks down the main members of Maduro\u2019s administration and the opposition.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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8h ago \/ 7:01 AM EST<\/p>\n

China slams U.S. demand for exclusive access to Venezuelan oil as ‘bullying’<\/h2>\n
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The Trump administration\u2019s reported demand for exclusive access to Venezuelan oil production is a \u201ctypical act of bullying,\u201d the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cVenezuela is a sovereign country and enjoys full and permanent sovereignty over its natural resources and all economic activities,\u201d ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular briefing in Beijing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe United States\u2019 reckless use of force against Venezuela and its demand that Venezuela dispose of its oil resources under the principle of \u2018America First\u2019 constitute bullying behavior, seriously violate international law, gravely infringe upon Venezuela\u2019s sovereignty, and severely harm the rights of the Venezuelan people,\u201d she said. \u201cChina strongly condemns this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beijing\u2019s comments follow an ABC News report<\/a> that the Trump administration told Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, Venezuela\u2019s interim president, that in order to continue oil production, her country must agree to partner exclusively with the U.S. and sever economic ties with China, Russia, Iran and Cuba. China, one of Venezuela\u2019s main allies, buys the majority of its crude oil exports, though they make up a small percentage of China\u2019s overall oil purchases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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9h ago \/ 6:28 AM EST<\/p>\n

A tense calm on the streets of Caracas masks a multitude of fears and uncertainty for Venezuelans <\/h2>\n
\n
\"Image:<\/p>\n

<\/span>Supporters of ousted Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro wave national flags as they take part in a demonstration in Caracas on Sunday.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Juan Barreto \/ AFP – Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

This article is by F. Brinley Bruton reporting from Bogot\u00e1, Colombia, and a Caracas-based reporter who is not being identified because of safety concerns<\/em>.<\/p>\n

CARACAS, Venezuela \u2014 Days after\u00a0Venezuela\u2019s capital was rocked by explosions<\/a>\u00a0and the country\u2019s leader was\u00a0seized in a U.S. operation<\/a>, the streets of this city were eerily quiet.<\/p>\n

Few people are venturing from their homes, although businesses have begun to reopen and the long lines that had snaked outside the few pharmacies and supermarkets that were operational over the weekend are disappearing. Those trying to get to work using the public bus system seem to be struggling as it seems to be on a skeleton schedule.<\/p>\n

Read the full article here<\/em><\/strong><\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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9h ago \/ 6:02 AM EST<\/p>\n

GPS systems malfunction in Venezuela after U.S. strikes <\/h2>\n
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\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Drivers in Caracas say their GPS systems have been malfunctioning since the U.S. strikes in Venezuela despite detectors showing a strong signal. Analysts say the issues could be linked to the reported electronic jamming of satellite signals by the U.S. during its operation to capture President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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10h ago \/ 5:44 AM EST<\/p>\n

Oil falls after Trump says\u00a0Venezuela\u00a0will supply to U.S.<\/h2>\n
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LONDON \u2014\u00a0Oil prices fell today after Trump<\/a>\u00a0said the United States had reached a deal to import up to $2 billion worth of\u00a0Venezuelan crude, a move that is expected to increase supplies to the world\u2019s largest oil consumer.<\/p>\n

Brent crude futures\u00a0LCOc1\u00a0fell 35 cents, or 0.6%, to $60.35 a barrel by 0928 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude\u00a0CLc1\u00a0fell 52 cents, or 0.9%, to $56.61 a barrel.<\/p>\n

Both benchmarks extended declines of more than $1 from the previous trading session, as market participants expected ample global supply this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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10h ago \/ 5:30 AM EST<\/p>\n

France: Rubio told us Greenland won’t be Venezuela 2.0<\/h2>\n
\n

French Foreign Minister Jean-No\u00ebl Barrot says he has been assured by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Greenland won\u2019t be another Venezuela. Even so, the French foreign minister said Europe needed to “strengthen and rearm ourselves so that we can defend ourselves against the law of the strongest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Image:<\/p>\n

<\/span>Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, last in March.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Odd Andersen \/ AFP – Getty Images file<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Speaking to French media and recounting what he said was a conversation with his American counterpart the day before, Barrot recalled that Rubio \u201cruled out the possibility of what has just happened in Venezuela happening in Greenland.” He said that “was not the option chosen by the United States.”<\/p>\n

\n

That came after media reports said Rubio told lawmakers that Trump preferred to buy the Danish-governed island. Asked about those reports, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. said yesterday, \u201cI don\u2019t remember that. He might have said it in jest or something. I\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

On French radio, Barrot said, \u201cOur position is neither to lament as spectators of violations of international law, nor to throw international law out with the bathwater.\u201d He added that \u201cour position is to defend these great principles because they are right.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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10h ago \/ 5:30 AM EST<\/p>\n

Venezuela is set to give the U.S. up to 50 million barrels of oil <\/h2>\n
\n

President Donald Trump said last night that Venezuela would hand over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of what he called “High Quality, Sanctioned Oil,” days after a U.S. military raid seized the Venezuelan president, Nicol\u00e1s Maduro.<\/p>\n

“This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!” Trump said on Truth Social.<\/p>\n

Oil prices slid after Trump’s announcement last night. <\/p>\n

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18m ago \/ 2:30 PM EST Venezuelan state owned oil company disputes deal with U.S. The\u00a0state-owned oil and gas company of Venezuela, Petr\u00f3leos de Venezuela, S.A., disputed that it made a deal to sell oil to the U.S. On Tuesday night, Trump announced that \u201cthe Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8980,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8979"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8979\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}