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Maduro’s Son Calls for People to Take to the Streets After Father’s Arrest
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Maduro’s Son Calls for People to Take to the Streets After Father’s Arrest

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The only son of detained Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro publicly called on supporters to take to the streets of Caracas following his father’s arrest, vowing to confront those he accused of betraying his family, as reported by The New York Post.

Despite the call, activity in the capital appeared limited, with reports of armed and masked paramilitaries seen in parts of the city on Monday.

Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, 35, addressed supporters over the weekend, promising to oppose what he described as U.S.-backed rule in Venezuela and to work toward freeing his parents.

Maduro Guerra, who serves in Venezuela’s National Assembly and is known by supporters as “The Prince,” was indicted by U.S. authorities in 2020 alongside his father and mother.

“You will see us in the streets. You will see a united people. You will see us wave the flags of dignity,” Maduro Guerra said in remarks reported by El Pais.

“They want to see us weak, but they won’t see us that way,” he added. “…I swear on my life, I swear on my dad, I swear on Cilia, that we’re going to get out of this mess.”

He also warned that those responsible for leaking his father’s location would eventually be identified, saying it was only a matter of time before “traitors” were exposed.

U.S. court records unsealed Saturday list multiple charges against Maduro Guerra, including conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to possess machine guns.

The Department of Justice alleges he partnered with narcotics traffickers and narco-terrorist groups that shipped cocaine to the United States.

In 2017 alone, prosecutors allege Maduro Guerra shipped hundreds of pounds of cocaine from Venezuela to Miami, Florida, using shipping containers.

Maduro Guerra was appointed by his father in 2013 as Head of the Corps of Special Inspectors of the Presidency shortly after Maduro took power.

U.S. indictments also name several other senior Venezuelan officials who remain in the country:

Vladimir Padrino López, 62, has served as Venezuela’s minister of defense for more than a decade.

U.S. authorities allege that between 2014 and 2019, he conspired to distribute cocaine aboard U.S.-registered aircraft and accepted bribes from cartel groups in exchange for safe passage through Venezuelan airspace.

Diosdado Cabello Rondón, 62, currently serves as minister of interior, justice, and peace and previously led the National Assembly.

He was charged in 2020 with narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, and weapons offenses tied to drug trafficking.

Tareck El Aissami, 51, Venezuela’s former vice president for the economy, was placed on ICE’s most-wanted list in 2019.

He is accused of facilitating drug shipments for imprisoned trafficker Walid Makled Garcia and maintaining links to Mexican and Colombian cartel figures.

Maikel José Moreno Pérez, 60, Venezuela’s former chief justice, is accused of laundering millions of dollars and accepting bribes to fix civil and criminal cases.

U.S. allegations include authorizing the seizure and sale of a General Motors auto plant valued at approximately $100 million and dismissing a multibillion-dollar fraud case involving a state oil company.

As Maduro Guerra’s call for protests circulated, there were no reports of large-scale demonstrations in Caracas. Authorities have not announced additional arrests related to the street activity.

‘Will Donald Trump’s Drive-By Liberation of Venezuela Give Us Gas?’: Peter St Onge
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‘Will Donald Trump’s Drive-By Liberation of Venezuela Give Us $2 Gas?’: Peter St Onge

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Economist Peter St Onge argued that President Trump’s intervention in Venezuela could eventually lead to significantly lower gas prices for American consumers, while also reshaping global oil markets. In a detailed statement, St Onge outlined how Venezuela’s collapse under socialism removed millions of barrels of oil from global production and how a potential recovery could reverse that damage.

“Will Donald Trump’s drive by liberation of Venezuela. Give us $2 gas,” St Onge asked, framing the issue around energy prices facing American families.

He described Venezuela’s trajectory over the past quarter century, saying, “In case you blinked, Donald Trump just liberated Venezuela from 25 years of socialism that turned the country from one of the richest in Latin America to one of the poorest in the world, with food shortages, constant blackouts, malnourished children, 1000s of nurses, police, women and school teachers turning to prostitution.”

St Onge characterized the scenes following the regime’s collapse as celebratory.

“Yes, socialism is ugly, and just like that, it is over these streets of Caracas filled with jubilation,” he said.

“Children sang, abuelas gushed thanks to Donald Trump regime bureaucrats remembered they have relatives in Miami.”

While noting the humanitarian and political significance for Venezuela, St Onge shifted focus to how the situation could affect the United States.

“So this is all grand for Venezuela, but what about the American people?” he asked.

“The two keys are, who’s on the hook for rebuilding Venezuela, and what does this do to oil prices, which is historically Venezuela’s biggest export, it’s basically Venezuela’s only export.”

According to St Onge, President Trump has indicated that rebuilding would not rely on U.S. taxpayers.

“So first the nation building. Trump promises Venezuela will be rebuilt with oil company money as international companies rush in to develop Venezuela’s vast oil reserves that were neglected under the socialists,” he said.

He described this approach as realistic given Venezuela’s resource base, stating,

“This is plausible on paper. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, more than Saudi Arabia. And before socialism, Venezuela was one of the biggest oil exporters in the world.”

St Onge explained that socialist policies devastated production.

“Now under socialism that collapsed 80% removing almost two and a half million barrels from global production, more than Kuwait exports today,” he said.

He added that major energy firms could play a central role in recovery if political stability is established.

“Exxon or Chevron would happily invest 10s of billions if they feel that they can trust the new government, which would allow that new government to rebuild infrastructure so Venezuela can be a free lunch if Washington and its tax funded army of NGOs stay out.”

The potential payoff for Americans, St Onge argued, lies in fuel prices.

“That brings us to the benefit for the American people, gas prices,” he said.

“Two and a half million is enough to knock oil prices five or 10% maybe more, with non linearities that trickles into lower prices at the pump, potentially close to $2 if oil stays below 50.”

He noted that cheaper prices would not depend solely on Venezuelan oil flowing directly to U.S. markets.

“Note, the price impact is not necessarily Venezuelan oil coming to the US. It could be exported anywhere in the world and still lower prices,” St Onge said.

He added, however, that the United States would likely play a major role due to refinery capacity.

“But a lot of it will come to the US, since Venezuelan crude is viscous and the specialized refineries are in Texas and Louisiana.”

St Onge described a scenario in which American refiners benefit economically while consumers see relief at the pump.

“So we take that oil, we re export it to Europe or China, book the profits and the federal taxes while Americans get cheap gas,” he said.

“In fact, everybody on earth gets cheap gas.”

He cautioned that any benefits would take time to materialize. “Cheap Oil will not happen overnight,” St Onge said.

“In fact, oil could surge in the near term, because current Venezuela output could be disrupted. While oil markets do not like drama, and regime change is drama.”

According to St Onge, even with significant investment, recovery will be slow.

“Moreover, even with deep pockets at Exxon and Chevron, it will take years to get Venezuela back to full production,” he said.

“We’re looking at 2027 or 8 at the earliest.”

St Onge also warned that instability remains a major risk.

“And all this assumes Venezuela does not descend back into chaos,” he said.

“For the moment, the regime is decapitated, but the goons are still waiting to see who’s in charge.”

He concluded by framing the stakes of the situation.

“If Venezuela goes the way Trump hopes, it could be the first war in a generation where the American people actually benefit,” St Onge said.

“If not, it could be a brand new basket case that destabilizes the entire region.”

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Machete-Wielding Suspect Shot Dead by Police at New Jersey Home, Three Victims Found Inside
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Machete-Wielding Suspect Shot Dead by Police at New Jersey Home, Three Victims Found Inside

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Police in New Jersey shot and killed a man armed with a machete during a confrontation at a Piscataway home Monday evening, an incident that led authorities to discover three people dead inside the residence, as reported by The New York Post.

According to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, officers were dispatched to a home on River Road in Piscataway at approximately 5:30 p.m. following a 911 call reporting an individual with a knife.

Law enforcement sources told WABC that when officers arrived, an unidentified man charged toward them while wielding a large blade.

Sources told Fox 5 that the weapon was identified as a machete. Officers attempted to stop the suspect by deploying tasers, but those efforts were unsuccessful, according to WABC.

Authorities said the man continued advancing toward officers with the weapon, prompting police to open fire. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the shooting, officers conducted a search of the home and discovered three people dead inside, authorities confirmed.

The victims have not yet been publicly identified. A source told WABC that two of the victims were grandparents.

The identity of the third victim and the relationship between the suspect and the deceased individuals have not been released.

Officials said the causes of death for the three victims were not immediately clear late Monday. Investigators have not disclosed whether the victims were killed prior to police arriving or if they died during the unfolding incident.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office did not immediately respond to media requests for additional details late Monday evening.

The office, along with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, is handling the investigation into both the police-involved shooting and the deaths discovered inside the home.

Piscataway Township Police said the incident appears to be isolated and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. In a statement posted on Facebook, the department said there was no danger to the surrounding community following the incident.

“We are aware of the horrific crime in Middlesex County tonight. All our members that were involved are being evaluated. Thank you to all who have reached [out] to offer support,” New Jersey State PBA President Peter Andreyev said in a statement.

Authorities have not released further information about the suspect, including his age or identity, and have not indicated whether any prior calls for service were associated with the residence.

Investigators also have not announced a timeline for releasing additional details as the case develops.

The investigation remains active as officials work to determine what led up to the confrontation with police and the deaths of the three individuals found inside the home.

Trump Can Do to Iran’s Regime What He Just Did to Maduro in Venezuela: Iranian Activist
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Trump Can Do to Iran’s Regime What He Just Did to Maduro in Venezuela: Iranian Activist

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Ida Turan issued a public appeal arguing that President Trump could apply a strategy similar to his actions in Venezuela to confront Iran’s ruling regime, describing what she characterized as widespread corruption, repression, and violence carried out by Iranian leaders.

Her remarks framed Iran as a global security threat while calling on the United States to take decisive action in support of the Iranian people.

In her statement, Turan directly addressed the possibility of President Trump taking action against Iran’s leadership, citing his prior approach toward Venezuela.

“Can President Trump do something similar to what he did in Venezuela, but this time for Iran? Short answer is, hell yeah,” Turan said.

She argued that Trump previously relied on criminal allegations to justify action against Venezuela’s leadership, stating, “Trump had to use a non political crime to target Venezuela’s top political leader. He declared Madero, the head of the drug cartel and responsible for killing Americans.”

Turan then turned to Iran’s leadership, arguing that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei holds direct responsibility for military actions carried out by the Islamic Republic.

“Now what would be the legal excuse for Khamenei? Khamenei is not just a supreme leader. He is also the commander in chief and bears direct responsibility for all military operations of the Islamic Republic,” she said.

Turan asserted that Iran’s leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have been responsible for attacks on Americans, including an alleged assassination attempt on President Trump.

“The Iranian regime and IRGC have been responsible for countless killings of Americans, including the failed plot to assassinate Trump himself,” she said.

According to Turan, President Trump’s stated objectives in Venezuela provide a framework for addressing Iran.

“We all know that Trump’s main goal in Venezuela is to fight corruption and stabilize Venezuela, a true win win for America and the people in Venezuela,” she said, adding that Iran’s situation is “similar, even worse.”

Turan described the Iranian government as “practically a death cult that occupied Iran as made life hell for its own people and made the entire world unsafe with proxy wars funding terrorists and para Palestine networks in the West.”

Turan also criticized the international community, particularly China and Russia, for blocking action against Iran at the United Nations.

She argued that geopolitical and economic interests have prevented accountability.

“So the question is, why can’t this corrupt, repressive terrorist regime be brought down through legal international terminals and the UN because China and Russia block every resolution against it, and we do it,” she said.

Turan pointed to economic and military cooperation between Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow, stating, “The regime sells cheap oil to China and provides Shahi drones to Russia for the war in Ukraine. In return, those two countries keep the regime alive to protect their own interests.”

Referencing President Trump’s 2020 decision to eliminate Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, Turan said the precedent already exists for targeted action.

“In 2020 Trump eliminated Soleimani, a top Iranian general, because he had made Iraq unsafe for American soldiers,” she said.

Turan urged similar decisiveness now, adding, “Yes, President Trump can do this again, and we, the people of Iran, plead with him to do it.”

Turan emphasized that her appeal was not a call for a military invasion.

“We are not asking for invasion. We are asking for protection, support and decisive action, because we cannot fight this repressive regime with empty hands,” she said.

She contrasted President Trump with previous U.S. leadership, saying, “There are very few world leaders that have shown true decisiveness. Obama betrayed us and the world by making deals that kept this regime alive.”

Addressing concerns about instability following regime change, Turan argued that Iran’s national identity sets it apart from other conflict zones.

“Iran’s situation is fundamentally different. We Iranians have a very strong Persian identity. We are not proud Muslims. We are proud Iranian this deep patriotism vaccinate us against those who create chaos, Islamist leftist colonialists and separatists,” she said.

Turan also pointed to Prince Reza bahrabi as a unifying figure for Iranians.

“Our Prince in exile, Reza bahrabi, has shown true interest in stepping in for his people,” she said, stressing that the issue is symbolic rather than a restoration of monarchy. “But no, it is not about restoring the monarchy. It is about having a symbol,” Turan said.

She concluded by calling for U.S. and Israeli support in rebuilding Iran, comparing it to postwar reconstruction efforts.

“We need America’s and our historic ally Israel to help us to reconstruct Iran, just like the Help America gave to France, Germany, Japan to rebuild the ruins after World War Two,” she said.

Turan described President Trump as widely admired among Iranians, stating, “President Trump is extremely popular in Iran. The people of Iran call him the president of hearts.” She ended her remarks with a direct appeal: “We know that Trump will come to our aid, but we plead with him to act soon before this regime kills even more of our young people in the process.”

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Venezuelan Historian Predicts What’s Next After U.S. Took Down Maduro
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Venezuelan Historian Predicts What’s Next After U.S. Took Down Maduro

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Venezuelan lawyer and historian Alex Vzla said the Venezuelan regime is on the verge of collapse following a U.S. military operation earlier this month that targeted key defensive and military infrastructure across the country.

In a detailed statement, Vzla said the January 3 operation fundamentally changed the balance of power inside Venezuela by eliminating the regime’s ability to defend itself from further U.S. action.

He said the strike that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro destroyed the country’s aerial defense capabilities and left remaining regime figures exposed.

“The Venezuelan regime is about to fall. You heard it here first,” Vzla said.

“Now you might be wondering, Alex, how could you possibly know this? So let me tell you, when the US struck Venezuela on January 3 to capture Nicolas Maduro, they destroyed essentially all of Venezuela’s aerial defense systems.”

Vzla said the strike hit critical locations across the country, leaving the military unable to respond to future operations.

“Every major airport and major military bases were hit,” he said.

“Venezuela does not have the capacity to fight back anymore. They’re sitting ducks.”

According to Vzla, the loss of air defenses means the United States can now operate freely inside Venezuela.

“The US can ride in on a helicopter or a plane and do whatever they want,” he said.

“They can strike any member of the regime, wherever they are, whenever they want, and they know that Trump is willing to do it now.”

Vzla said that reality has left remaining regime figures facing overwhelming pressure, both militarily and politically, following the operation.

“And that’s the difference between the before and after of January 3,” he said.

“The people who are left within the regime like density, Rodriguez, Jorge, Rodriguez, Vladimir, Putin Lopez, they know they’re surrounded military and political power far superior to anything they control.”

He said those figures no longer have leverage.

“At this moment, they have no room to negotiate,” Vzla said.

“Their hands are tied at this point. Their only option is to cooperate or be eliminated.”

Vzla described the current situation as negotiations centered not on power-sharing but on surrender.

“So the negotiation is really the terms of surrender, and that’s what’s being ironed out right now,” he said.

As evidence of the regime’s weakening position, Vzla pointed to recent behavior by senior security officials, including Diosdado Cabello, who oversees police and intelligence services in Venezuela.

“If I had to guess, if you want proof of this, you could just see the video that was recorded by Diosdado Cabello, the head of all police and Intelligence Services in Venezuela,” Vzla said.

“Just yesterday, he’s seen in a zoom call in a bunker.”

Vzla contrasted that appearance with Cabello’s previous public conduct.

“Usually he’s out of the street surrounded by police,” he said.

“So why is Cabello hiding underground?”

Vzla said the bunker appearance sent a clear signal to both the public and the military.

“And what do you think the rest of the military is going to think when they see this man hiding in the video,” he said, noting that Cabello called for unity against the United States during the appearance.

“The threat is very clear from where he is that he doesn’t believe it’s safe to go out anymore,” Vzla said.

He added that even members of the armed forces recognize the significance of that shift.

“Even those in the military understand this,” Vzla said.

Vzla also referenced Cabello’s past behavior on state television.

“And de la el Cavell was notorious on his weekly TV show that would last hours for amusing himself mocking political prisoners and the torture of Venezuelans,” he said.

According to Vzla, the contrast between that past posture and Cabello’s current actions is telling.

“The fact that this man is hiding in a bunker on a zoom call tells you everything you need to know about where this is heading,” Vzla said.

Vzla concluded by asserting that the regime’s collapse is inevitable.

“I guarantee you that the Venezuelan regime will fall,” he said, “and for all intents and purposes, it already has.”

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Buttigieg Under Fire After Trump Attack, Past Maduro Tweets Explode Online
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Buttigieg Under Fire After Trump Attack, Past Maduro Tweets Explode Online

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Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced renewed scrutiny over the weekend after criticizing President Donald Trump’s operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, only for a past statement calling for Maduro’s removal to resurface, as reported by the Gateway Pundit.

Buttigieg, who served in the Biden administration, reacted publicly on Saturday to the Trump administration’s overnight operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture.

The operation, carried out in the early morning hours, concluded without any U.S. troop fatalities.

Maduro was subsequently indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States.

President Trump shared video footage of the strikes involved in the operation, which targeted at least four sites around Caracas, Venezuela.

Officials said no U.S. forces were killed during the mission.

Buttigieg argued that the operation followed what he described as a familiar political pattern.

“It’s an old and obvious pattern,” Buttigieg wrote Saturday. “An unpopular president – failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home – decides to launch a war for regime change abroad.”

“The American people don’t want to ‘run’ a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one,” he added.

The remarks drew attention because they contrasted sharply with Buttigieg’s own prior statements about Venezuela.

Shortly after his comments circulated, social media users resurfaced a January 6, 2020, post in which Buttigieg explicitly supported the removal of Maduro following a disputed election that triggered a political crisis in Venezuela.

“The illegitimate takeover of the Venezuelan National Assembly is further evidence that dictator Maduro will stop at nothing to consolidate his grip on power,” Buttigieg wrote at the time.

“I stand behind Juan Guaidó and the Venezuelan people as they strive to reclaim their democracy and defend their rights.”

That post remains publicly available.

In 2020, opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president of Venezuela after international observers raised concerns about the legitimacy of Maduro’s election.

The situation led to heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with Maduro accusing the Trump administration of attempting to orchestrate a coup.

Buttigieg’s criticism of Trump’s recent action also contrasted with policies pursued under the Biden administration. During Biden’s term, the U.S. government offered a $25 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.

However, no attempt was made to apprehend Maduro during those four years.

Trump’s operation ultimately succeeded in capturing Maduro and transferring him to U.S. custody, where federal prosecutors moved forward with the long-standing charges.

Administration officials said the mission was limited in scope and focused specifically on Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who also faces federal charges.

As Buttigieg’s earlier comments circulated online, users on X responded by pointing out what they viewed as a reversal in his public position.

The contrast between his 2020 call to support Venezuelan opposition leaders and his 2026 criticism of Trump’s action quickly became a focal point of debate across social media platforms.

Neither Buttigieg nor his representatives issued additional comment after the older post resurfaced. The Trump administration has not responded directly to Buttigieg’s remarks, instead continuing to emphasize that the mission achieved its objective without American casualties.

The episode underscored ongoing divisions among Democratic figures over Venezuela policy, particularly as past statements continue to resurface in the wake of Trump’s decision to act where previous administrations did not.

Venezuelan Journalist Blasts Anti-Trump Protestors Backing Venezuelan Dictator Maduro
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Venezuelan Journalist Blasts Anti-Trump Protestors Backing Venezuelan Dictator Maduro

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Venezuelan journalist Germania Rodriguez Poleo delivered a message aimed at English-speaking audiences as she said she was already seeing people organize protests in support of Nicolas Maduro.

In her remarks, she urged people not to let their feelings about President Donald Trump lead them to defend Maduro.

“Now a message to my english speaking friends, because I’m already seeing people are organizing protests. Hands off Venezuela. Let’s defend Maduro. We love dictators,” Rodriguez Poleo said.

Rodriguez Poleo framed her message as a warning to those she said were preparing demonstrations, and she argued that opposition to President Trump should not translate into backing Venezuela’s dictator.

“Do not for a moment, let your hatred and disdain for Donald Trump, an unsavory character, have you defending the dictator of my country that was destroyed by him and Chavez and their system 20 years ago?” she said.

Rodriguez Poleo said Venezuelans were happy about Maduro’s arrest and said she viewed it as a turning point after decades without justice.

“We Venezuelans are very, very happy that our dictator has been arrested, removed, and will be put through a trial,” Rodriguez Poleo said.

She described the moment as the first time she believes justice is being pursued after a long period.

“It’s the first time we’re seeing justice in 26 years,” she said.

Rodriguez Poleo also expressed hope that additional figures she described as criminals would be removed from Venezuela, and she tied that outcome to Venezuelans being able to return home.

“Now let’s hope that they get the rest of the criminals out of Venezuela and then we can return home,” she said.

In her statement, Rodriguez Poleo linked Venezuela’s destruction to Maduro, Hugo Chavez, and what she described as their system, and she urged her audience to reject calls to defend Maduro even if they strongly oppose President Trump.

Her comments centered on two themes: the protests she said were being organized by English speakers and her support for Maduro being arrested, removed, and put through a trial.

Rodriguez Poleo said she hoped the removal of Maduro and other criminals would lead to Venezuelans being able to return home after what she described as years of destruction tied to Maduro, Chavez, and their system.

WATCH:

Venezuela’s 300 Billion Barrels of Oil Back in Play After Maduro Arrest
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Venezuela’s 300 Billion Barrels of Oil Back in Play After Maduro Arrest

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Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the United States is now positioned to exert significant influence over the future of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, as the Trump administration signals interest in reviving the country’s long-dormant energy sector.

Venezuela, a country nearly twice the size of California, sits atop extraordinary petroleum wealth.

With more than 300 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the South American nation holds larger reserves than long-established energy producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Kuwait.

Estimates place Venezuela’s reserves at roughly 20 percent of the global total, nearly four times the amount held by the United States.

Despite the scale of its reserves, Venezuela’s oil industry has been largely incapacitated for years.

Much of the country’s petroleum consists of heavy and extra-heavy crude, which is significantly more difficult and expensive to extract and refine than lighter grades of oil.

Production of this type of crude requires specialized equipment, continuous maintenance, and advanced refining capabilities.

Those systems have steadily deteriorated over the past decade as a result of prolonged underinvestment, U.S. sanctions, political instability, and the collapse of state-run oil company operations.

As infrastructure declined, production fell sharply, leaving much of Venezuela’s oil wealth effectively locked underground.

Comparable situations have unfolded in other energy-rich nations such as Iran and Libya, where political turmoil, financial distress, and degraded infrastructure have limited output despite vast reserves.

In Venezuela’s case, the deterioration has been particularly severe, with refineries, pipelines, and production facilities falling into disrepair.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said his administration intends to move quickly to revive Venezuela’s oil industry by encouraging investment from major U.S. energy companies.

Speaking during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said American firms would play a central role in restoring production capacity.

“We are going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken oil infrastructure and start making money for the country,” Trump said.

Trump did not specify a timeline for the effort or identify which companies might be involved, but his remarks signaled a potential shift in U.S. policy toward direct engagement with Venezuela’s energy sector following Maduro’s removal from power.

So far, American energy companies have stopped short of committing to new operations in Venezuela.

Chevron remains the only major U.S. oil company with a presence in the country, operating under limited authorizations granted by the U.S. government.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Chevron said it was monitoring developments while adhering to legal requirements.

“Chevron remains focused on the safety and well-being of our employees, as well as the integrity of our assets,” a company spokesperson said, adding that the firm is following “relevant laws and regulations.”

ConocoPhillips, another major U.S. energy producer with a historical presence in Venezuela, also responded cautiously.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the company said it is tracking developments and evaluating broader implications.

“ConocoPhillips is monitoring the developments in Venezuela as well as the potential implications for global energy supply and stability,” a spokesperson said.

“It would be premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments.”

Other U.S. oil companies have not publicly commented on whether they would consider reentering Venezuela, where years of nationalization, contract disputes, and sanctions have made foreign investment highly risky.

The prospect of restoring Venezuela’s oil output carries significant implications for global energy markets.

With production currently far below historical levels, any substantial increase could affect global supply dynamics, particularly if U.S. companies are able to rehabilitate infrastructure and bring heavy crude back online at scale.

For now, the administration’s plans remain in early stages.

The focus, according to Trump’s remarks, is on stabilizing and repairing Venezuela’s oil infrastructure while positioning U.S. companies to play a leading role in the sector’s recovery.

How quickly that vision can be realized will depend on regulatory decisions, security conditions, and whether major energy firms decide the potential rewards outweigh the long-standing risks associated with operating in Venezuela.

Dan Bongino Says Goodbye to the FBI with a Thankful Post on X, Benny Johnson Reacts
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Dan Bongino Says Goodbye to the FBI with a Thankful Post on X, Benny Johnson Reacts

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Dan Bongino completed his final day as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Saturday, officially returning to civilian life on Sunday after serving less than a year in the role.

Bongino first announced in mid-December that he planned to leave the bureau in the New Year.

He made his departure official on Saturday with a post on X, marking the end of his tenure at the FBI.

“It was a busy last day on the job,” Bongino wrote.

“This will be my last post on this account. Tomorrow I return to civilian life.”

Bongino reflected positively on his time in government service and credited the administration’s leadership for the experience.

“It’s been an incredible year thanks to the leadership and decisiveness of President Trump,” Bongino said.

“It was the honor of a lifetime to work with Director Patel, and to serve you, the American people. See you on the other side.”

Bongino assumed the position of deputy FBI director in March, stepping into one of the bureau’s most senior leadership roles.

His appointment followed years of work in law enforcement, media, and political commentary.

During his tenure, Bongino remained largely out of the public spotlight compared to his previous career, focusing on internal operations and management at the bureau.

President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged Bongino’s service following his departure, offering praise and suggesting Bongino’s future plans may involve a return to broadcasting.

“Dan did a great job,” Trump said.

“I think he wants to go back to his show.”

Before leaving office, Bongino spoke candidly about the personal toll the position had taken on him and his family.

In a May appearance on “Fox & Friends,” he described the sacrifices required by the job and the strain it placed on his personal life.

“I gave up everything for this,” Bongino said during the interview.

He went on to describe the isolation that came with working long hours in Washington, D.C., away from his family.

“I stare at these four walls all day in D.C., by myself, divorced from my wife — not divorced, but I mean separated — and it’s hard,” Bongino said.

“I mean, we love each other, and it’s hard to be apart.”

Bongino’s comments highlighted the demanding nature of senior leadership roles within the federal government, particularly at agencies like the FBI, where long hours and intense responsibilities are common.

While Bongino did not outline specific plans for his next chapter, Trump’s comments suggested a possible return to media, where Bongino previously hosted a nationally syndicated radio show and maintained a large online following. Bongino has not publicly confirmed what he plans to do following his departure from the bureau.

The FBI has not announced who will permanently fill the deputy director role following Bongino’s exit.

His departure comes at a time when the bureau continues to face scrutiny from lawmakers and the public over its operations and leadership, placing added focus on transitions within its senior ranks.

Bongino’s final day marked the conclusion of a brief but high-profile period of public service.

As he returns to civilian life, his departure closes a chapter that he described as both professionally meaningful and personally challenging.

Trump Puts a Few Latin Leaders On Notice After Arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro
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Trump Puts a Few Latin Leaders On Notice After Arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro

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President Donald Trump issued pointed warnings to several Latin American governments following a U.S. operation that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is now in U.S. custody on American soil.

The comments came after an overnight operation into early Saturday that led to Maduro’s capture.

In remarks addressing the regional implications of the action, Trump characterized parts of Latin America as major sources of narcotics flowing into the United States and warned neighboring governments that further action could follow.

Trump directed his remarks toward Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba, linking those countries to drug trafficking concerns and regional instability.

Cuba, which has had decades of strained relations with Washington dating back to the Cold War, was included in the warnings alongside Mexico and Colombia.

During the comments, Trump again described Maduro as a “narco-terrorist” and addressed a question about how the operation could affect neighboring countries.

He directly linked Maduro to Colombian President Gustavo Petro while discussing cocaine production and trafficking.

“He has cocaine mills, he has factories where he makes cocaine, and they’re sending it into the United States,” Trump said of the Colombian leader, adding, “he does have to watch his ass.”

Trump’s remarks about Cuba were less direct but suggested future discussion and potential action.

He said his administration intended to focus on the Cuban population as well as Cuban-Americans living in the United States.

“It’s going to be something we’ll end up talking about,” Trump said, referring to Cuba.

He added that Washington wants to “help the people” of the country, which he described as similar to Venezuela.

“It’s very similar in the sense that we want to help the people in Cuba, but we also want to help the people who were forced out of Cuba and are living in this country,” Trump said, referencing Cuban-Americans who have fled the island nation and settled in the United States.

Trump also focused on Mexico during his remarks, turning attention to drug cartels operating south of the U.S. border.

He addressed Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo while discussing cartel influence and what he described as the Mexican government’s inability to confront those organizations.

Trump said that drug cartels are effectively running the country and claimed that Mexican authorities are fearful of them.

He said action would be required to address the situation.

“They’re running Mexico… I’ve asked her numerous times: ‘Would you like us to take out the cartels?’ ‘No, no, no, Mr. President, no, no, no, please.’ So we have to do something,” Trump said in a phone interview with Fox.

Mexico moved quickly to condemn the U.S. military action in Venezuela following Maduro’s arrest.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro also criticized the operation, describing it as an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America.

Similar criticism was echoed by several BRICS nations and other countries in the Global South, which issued statements opposing the U.S. action.

Trump’s remarks came amid heightened regional tensions following the Venezuela operation.

The administration has emphasized that the action targeted narcotics trafficking and individuals it has accused of participating in criminal enterprises, while critics have argued it represents a broader assertion of U.S. power in the region.

As Trump addressed the fallout from the operation, his comments made clear that the administration views drug trafficking and cartel influence as interconnected regional issues extending beyond Venezuela.

His statements indicated that the capture of Maduro could mark the beginning of increased pressure on other governments that Washington believes are linked to narcotics production or trafficking networks.

The warnings to Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba followed the administration’s declaration that Maduro is now in U.S. custody and that American forces played a role in securing the operation.

While Trump did not announce specific new actions against the other countries, his comments placed their governments on notice as the administration continues to frame regional drug trafficking as a national security issue for the United States.


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