Articles in this Cluster
17-01-2026
The CIA director, John Ratcliffe, met with Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas for two hours, discussing potential economic collaboration and security issues. The meeting aimed to build trust and communication following the US seizure of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Rodríguez had recently announced oil industry reforms to attract foreign investment, a departure from Maduro's policies. The US is eyeing opportunities in Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves, but significant changes are needed to make the region attractive to investors. The meeting between Ratcliffe and Rodríguez was described as 'historic' by a US official, with Ratcliffe being the first cabinet-level official to travel to Venezuela.
Entities: John Ratcliffe, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela, Caracas, Nicolás Maduro • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
17-01-2026
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has vowed to lead the country when the 'right time comes', despite US President Donald Trump not endorsing her as the new leader. Trump has instead been dealing with interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who was Maduro's vice-president. Machado gave Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal, calling it a recognition of his commitment to Venezuela's freedom. Rodríguez has announced oil industry reforms and vowed to defend Venezuela's 'dignity and honour'.
Entities: María Corina Machado, Donald Trump, Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, Nicolás Maduro • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
17-01-2026
CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas to discuss improving the working relationship between the two countries and warning Venezuela to stop supporting drug trafficking. The meeting was described as historic, as Ratcliffe was the first Cabinet-level official to visit Venezuela since the US military operation to remove Nicolás Maduro nearly two weeks prior. The US views Rodríguez as more capable of maintaining stability in Venezuela in the near term, aligning with a CIA analytic assessment. The article also discusses the US military operation to capture Maduro, who is now facing charges in the US, and the international concerns over the US' unilateral action.
Entities: John Ratcliffe, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela, Caracas, CIA • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
17-01-2026
The U.S. Southern Command seized a sixth oil tanker linked to Venezuela in an early morning operation, as part of a quarantine on sanctioned oil tankers. The tanker, Motor/Tanker Veronica, was apprehended by Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear. This operation is part of Operation Southern Spear, aimed at curbing illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere. The seizure comes as President Trump is set to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House. The U.S. has been working to take control of Venezuela's oil, having completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil valued at $500 million.
Entities: U.S. Southern Command, Venezuela, Motor/Tanker Veronica, Joint Task Force Southern Spear, USS Gerald R. Ford • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
17-01-2026
The article discusses the resurgence of 'gunboat capitalism', where multinational corporations are once again closely tied to state power, particularly in the United States. This phenomenon, where companies are used as tools of statecraft, is argued to be detrimental to global prosperity and stability. The article draws historical parallels with the practices of colonial powers and suggests that the current trend, exacerbated by figures like Donald Trump, will lead to a more fragmented and less safe world.
Entities: America, Donald Trump, Britain, Netherlands, East India companies • Tone: negative • Sentiment: negative • Intent: critique
17-01-2026
The article argues that Donald Trump's deal to resume Venezuelan oil production will fail without democratic reforms. Despite the recent change in Venezuela's oil production, the opposition remains sidelined, and dictator Nicolás Maduro's corrupt regime persists. The article emphasizes that ignoring the democratic opposition and its leader, María Corina Machado, would be a mistake. It highlights the need for democratic reforms to ensure the success of any deal related to Venezuelan oil.
Entities: Donald Trump, Nicolás Maduro, María Corina Machado, Venezuela, America • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: critique
17-01-2026
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC, presenting him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal in an effort to garner support for regime change in Venezuela. Machado sees Trump as a means to achieve democracy in her homeland, despite his initial reluctance to fully endorse her as a potential leader. The meeting was part of Machado's charm offensive, aimed at convincing the Trump administration to support a transition in Venezuela beyond just accessing the country's oil reserves. Machado's efforts were bolstered by her meeting with Senators on Capitol Hill and the enthusiastic reception she received from Venezuelan exiles.
Entities: Maria Corina Machado, Donald Trump, Venezuela, Nobel Peace Prize, Washington DC • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
17-01-2026
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado expressed confidence that Nicolas Maduro's regime will end and free elections will be held. She made the remarks during a visit to the US, where she met with President Donald Trump and presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. Machado criticized Maduro's regime as 'criminal' and stated that it would eventually dismantle itself. The article also reports on the US's involvement in Venezuela, including the capture of Maduro and his wife, and the backing of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to lead the country.
Entities: Maria Corina Machado, Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump, Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
