US Tightens Grip on Venezuela, Cuba

US President Donald Trump has urged Cuba to 'make a deal' with the US, warning that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money to the island nation will stop. Trump's statement comes after US forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a raid on Caracas, and the US confiscated several oil tankers carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil. Cuba's foreign minister responded by saying that the nation has the right to import fuel 'without interference,' while Cuba's president stated that 'no one dictates what we do.' The US has been increasing pressure on Cuba, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting that Cuba's leaders should be worried. Trump has framed US policy through a revived 'Monroe Doctrine,' focusing on Latin America and left-wing leaders. The US and Cuba have had a strained relationship since the 1959 revolution.

The Norwegian Nobel Institute has stated that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be revoked, transferred, or shared with others once it is announced, contradicting Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado's suggestion that she would like to give her recent award to President Trump. Machado had indicated that she would like to share the prize with Trump, who oversaw the successful U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. Trump has responded positively to the idea, saying it would be a 'great honor' to receive the prize from Machado. However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute's statement has thrown cold water on the idea. Meanwhile, Trump has backed acting President Delcy Rodríguez to govern Venezuela after Maduro's capture, despite Machado's claims that she and her coalition are ready to serve the Venezuelan people.

The Norwegian Nobel Institute has rejected Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado's suggestion that she might share her Nobel Peace Prize with President Donald Trump. Machado had floated the idea during an appearance on Fox News' 'Hannity' earlier this week, stating that she would love to personally give the award to Trump for his role in capturing Venezuelan authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. The Nobel Institute clarified that once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others, and that the decision is final. Trump expressed his willingness to accept the award if offered, during an appearance on 'Hannity'.

US President Donald Trump threatened to block ExxonMobil from investing in Venezuela after the company's CEO, Darren Woods, called the country 'uninvestable' during a White House meeting. Trump had urged US oil executives to spend $100bn to revitalise Venezuela's oil industry after US forces removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power. Woods expressed skepticism, stating that Venezuela needed to change its laws and introduce durable investment protections before it could be an attractive investment opportunity. Trump responded by saying he might block ExxonMobil from investing in Venezuela, stating that the company was 'playing too cute.'