Overview
- In a state TV interview aired Thursday, Nicolás Maduro invited U.S. discussions on combating drug trafficking as well as potential American investment in Venezuela’s oil sector, citing Chevron as a model.
- Pressed on President Trump’s claim that the U.S. “knocked out” a Venezuelan docking area, Maduro declined to confirm, while multiple outlets cited anonymous sources attributing the strike to a CIA drone operation.
- U.S. Southern Command reported New Year’s Eve strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels, bringing the publicly announced total to roughly 35 boat strikes and at least 115 people killed since September.
- Washington’s campaign also includes economic measures such as a blockade targeting sanctioned oil tankers and recent tanker seizures that Caracas denounces as piracy.
- U.S. officials say Venezuelan security forces have detained at least five Americans in recent months, with concerns some are being held for leverage; the State Department is weighing wrongful-detention designations, including for traveler James Luckey-Lange.