Venezuela

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U.S. forces seize oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, Machado soon to arrive in Norway

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that U.S. forces had seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela and added, “other things are happening.”

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Maria Corina Machado to be reunited with family in Oslo before returning to Venezuela, daughter says

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate María Corina Machado was on her way to Oslo when the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee denounced the Nicolás Maduro regime’s crimes against children during a ceremony.

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Nobel committee chair describes Maduro regime’s crimes against Venezuelan children

During a speech on Wednesday, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, described the regime of Nicolás Maduro’s crimes against children in Venezuela.

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Venezuelans gather in Doral as Machado’s daughter receives Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf

Venezuelans were at El Arepazo in Doral Wednesday morning to start their watch party to see Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado receive the Nobel Peace Prize, only to learn she wouldn’t be attending the ceremony in Oslo.

Navy admiral says Hegseth didn’t issue ‘kill’ order before secondary attack in Caribbean, lawmakers say

During a briefing on Thursday in Congress, U.S. Navy Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not issue a kill order, according to Sen. Tom Cotton, who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Growing tensions between US, Venezuela prompt response from many watching closely from South Florida

Many in South Florida have been watching the escalating situation between the United States and Venezuela very closely.

Venezuela threatens airlines over flights suspensions; Democrats reassert congressional authority

With the support of House Democrats, Rep. Jim Himes introduced the War Powers Resolution, which aims to reassert congressional authority over boat strikes near Venezuela.

Several airlines suspend flights to Venezuela following FAA warning

To get from Miami to Venezuela, you have had to connect somewhere else, but now several major airlines have suspended operations into the South American country as tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela continues to rise.

Trump deals with Epstein, Venezuela, tariffs on food

On Friday, President Donald Trump and his administration made announcements on Jeffrey Epstein, tariffs on food, and Venezuela.

‘A little betrayed’: Trump ending TPS for Venezuelans Friday leaves Miami nurse running out of time

Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans in the U.S. expires on Friday.

Venezuela’s Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado: ‘Maduro started this war’

Venezuela’s Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado told Miami Mayor Francis Suarez on Wednesday that she approved of the U.S. military actions in the southern Caribbean.

Trump denies reports that US has decided to attack installations within Venezuela

President Trump boarded Air Force One to spend the weekend in Florida — amid reports that his administration has made the decision to attack military installations inside Venezuela.

‘I could be killed’: With impending loss of TPS, Venezuelans who fled persecution fear forced return

As the Trump administration moves forward with its offensive on suspected narco vessels, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans are about to lose their legal status in the United States.

Tensions with Venezuela: Warner criticizes Trump administration for excluding Democrats from briefing

uring a news conference on Thursday, Sen. Mark Warner criticized the Trump administration for excluding Democrats from attending a briefing about the U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean.

US sought to lure Nicolás Maduro’s pilot into betraying the Venezuelan leader

The federal agent had a daring pitch for Nicolás Maduro’s chief pilot: All he had to do was surreptitiously divert the Venezuelan president’s plane to a place where U.S. authorities could nab the strongman.

Maduro faces growing pressure ‘to leave’ Venezuela, expert says

Nicolás Maduro recently accused President Donald Trump of devising a war that he will avoid. An expert said this could be indicative of his intention to flee from Venezuela.

Venezuelan saint canonized in Rome, local priest says timing is not ‘a mere coincidence’

Saint Jose Gregorio Fernandez was known for healing people.

Wasserman Schultz praises Venezuela’s Machado over Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz praised Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado after she won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado wins the Nobel Peace Prize

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, winning recognition as a woman “who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”

Argentinian president at United Nations calls on Venezuela to release Argentine father detained

Argentine President Javier Milei used his speech on Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City to call on Venezuela to release an Argentine father.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez discusses US strikes on drug transport vessels

Recent deadly U.S. strikes on accused drug transport vessels have taken center stage this week as tensions with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro escalate. South Florida’s diaspora is closely watching, and now a wider U.S. audience is focusing on what is happening and why. Congressman Carlos Gimenez is among the few lawmakers who received a classified military briefing.

Amid tensions with Venezuela, ramped up US military presence splits Puerto Ricans

As U.S. tensions with Venezuela intensify, so does the American military presence in Puerto Rico.

US strike on Venezuelan boat sparks debate over drug policy, sovereignty

A U.S. strike against an alleged drug-carrying boat leaving Venezuela is drawing mixed reactions across the hemisphere, raising questions about sovereignty, security and the Trump administration’s broader policy toward the region.

With TPS ending, collision of foreign, immigration policies leaves Venezuelan families ‘panicking’

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans will soon lose their deportation protections and face returning to a country many say isn’t safe.

As US-Venezuela tensions rise, will Russia, China get involved? Experts weigh in

Tensions continue to rise between the United States and Venezuela as the Trump administration escalates its pressure campaign.

Examining Trump administration motives behind recent actions against Venezuela

To understand what the president described as a “kinetic strike” against an alleged drug-carrying boat leaving Venezuela, look back to an executive order signed on his first day of office, designating cartels as terrorist organizations.

Gimenez speaks on Maduro as U.S. continues fight against drug cartels

Tensions are mounting as more U.S. naval ships head into the southern Caribbean in a move to thwart Latin American drug cartels.

‘Largest drug offload’ in U.S. Coast Guard history includes cocaine found in ‘many’ vessels from Venezuela, feds say

The U.S. Coast Guard celebrated a “historic milestone” after crews unloaded over 76,140 pounds of illegal drugs -- most of it cocaine -- that the feds planned to investigate and destroy.

Appeals judges order ICC prosecutor to recuse himself from Venezuela investigation

Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court on Friday ordered chief prosecutor Karim Khan to recuse himself from an investigation into Venezuela, citing a conflict of interest.

Trump administration e-mails parole termination notices to Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans

President Donald Trump’s administration has been issuing warnings to Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans that their immigration status under a humanitarian program has changed.

South Florida businesses, immigrants brace for fallout after TPS ruling, rollback of parole programs

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling affecting Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans has sent shockwaves through South Florida’s immigrant communities and among business owners.

Rawayana makes Venezuelan diaspora proud at Coachella

Alberto “Beto” Montenegro, Antonio Casas, Andrés Story, and Alejandro Abeijón have been living between Miami and Mexico City.

Trump reverses license allowing Chevron to operate in Venezuela

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that in March Chevron will no longer have a license to produce and export oil in Venezuela.

Trump’s DHS halts humanitarian immigration processing for migrants fleeing dictators

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has halted the processing of certain parole program applications, affecting thousands of immigrants already in the country.

Gimenez, local officials worry ending TPS for Venezuelans will hurt Doral, Weston economies

Officials in South Florida are speaking up against the end of the U.S. Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans over fear that it will hurt their local economies.

Venezuelan American Caucus joins fight for Temporary Protected Status, denounces Trump’s negotiations with Maduro

Venezuelan American Caucus advocates reacted Monday to President Donald Trump’s administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans and to negotiate with Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuelan exiles in South Florida concerned over possible loss of Temporary Protective Status

Doral is home to a large and typically vocal Venezuelan exile community.

Activistas del sur de la Florida planean demanda después de que se revocara el TPS para venezolanos

La extensión de 18 meses del Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) de la administración Biden para los venezolanos está siendo revocada por el presidente Donald Trump.

South Florida activists plan lawsuit after TPS for Venezuelans revoked

The Biden administration’s 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans is being revoked by President Donald Trump.

Salazar on Venezuelan TPS expiring in April: ‘Maduro has to go! Trump is the only force to get him out’

The Trump administration will not be renewing the Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans when it expires in April.

Venezuelans protest in South Florida as Maduro starts 3rd term amid $25M bounty

Venezuelans in South Florida gathered in protest Thursday as Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a controversial third six-year term, amid claims of election fraud and a $25 million bounty for his arrest related to alleged drug trafficking.

Venezuelans protest in South Florida as Maduro takes contested oath of office

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for another term on Friday, deepening the country’s political crisis as opposition leaders and many Venezuelans claim he lost the election.

Venezuelans across the world waiting as country prepares for new presidential term

The Venezuelan diaspora gathered across the world on Thursday, one day ahead of the beginning of a new presidential term.

Venezuela’s Juan Guaido celebrates change in Syria

A Venezuelan opposition leader who was granted political asylum in the U.S. took to X on Sunday to celebrate that Arab socialists were no longer in power in Syria.

FBI works with Colombia to continue to take down more Venezuelan Tren de Aragua leaders

As a prison gang in Venezuela grew into a transnational criminal organization, investigators believe the gang’s leaders trusted Carlos “Bobby” Gomez to command the members who were causing havoc in South America’s western edge.

Man who worked for Venezuelan oil company admits to U.S. sanctions evasion benefiting Maduro

Federal prosecutors said George Semerene Quintero’s case showed Nicolás Maduro used the Venezuelan oil company to illegally funnel parts to maintain planes used by him and his cronies.

Miami professor warns Trump’s deportation plans could impact Florida immigrants

A Miami-based professor is warning that heightened deportation efforts under potential Trump administration policies could impact over a million immigrants in Florida alone, with local communities and families facing serious consequences.

How man went from federal prison in Miami to a powerful job overseeing a country’s industrial system

In a bizarre turn, a 52-year-old Colombian businessman with friends in high places went from sleeping in a federal prison in Miami to recently celebrating his appointment as Venezuela’s new minister of industry and national production.

Maduro shows solidarity with Hezbollah; opposition demonstrates in Doral

On Saturday night, during a televised speech at an event related to the disputed presidential election in Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro stood next to several men who wore traditional Arab headdresses known as keffiyeh or hatta.

Police: Miami-Dade money laundering scheme had links to Venezuela, Cuba, Panama, Spain

A 39-year-old man in Miami-Dade County stands accused Wednesday of money laundering millions as part of a scheme with links to Venezuela, Cuba, Panama, and Spain.

Senate bill sets $100 million reward for arrest, conviction of Nicolás Maduro

Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio introduce legislation to increase the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Nicolás Maduro.

US seizes plane belonging to Nicolás Maduro, brings it to South Florida

The U.S. has seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and brought it to a South Florida airport.

How Maduro’s administration works around U.S. sanctions, according to prosecutors

Despite U.S. sanctions, prosecutors say Venezuela’s state-owned oil company accessed aircraft parts from the U.S. such as bearings, joint slide flexes, and actuators for its aircraft fleet.

Venezuelan opposition continues worldwide demonstrations including in Miami

Venezuelans continued protests on Saturday at home and around the world. Thousands were at a rally at the FPL Solar Amphitheater, at Bayfront Park, in downtown Miami.

Venezuela in crisis: Demonstrations from Miami to Caracas continue after election

The Venezuelan flag and “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!” chants took over Bayfront Park’s amphitheater on Saturday in Downtown Miami.

Venezuela in crisis: Human rights activists report 79 teenagers in custody after deadly protests

Human rights activists reported Friday that they had records of 79 teenagers who were arrested after protests erupted Monday in reaction to the results of the July 28 presidential election.

Crisis in Venezuela: Protesters in support of opposition to meet at Miami’s Bayfront Park

The organizers of a protest in solidarity with the opposition in Venezuela on Saturday in Downtown Miami announced there are free parking options.

Crisis in Venezuela: Justice First opposition party reports more arbitrary detentions

The Justice First, or Primero Justicia, an opposition political party in Venezuela, reported more arbitrary detentions on Friday.

Crisis in Venezuela: Maduro reports 1,200 arrests during protests, warns about 1,000 more

Nicolas Maduro reports 1,200 arrests during protests and threatens to arrest 1,000 more. Nongovernmental organizations report arbitrary arrests, executions, and raids by police and military forces.

Crisis in Venezuela: Padrino’s cousin in U.S. urges 4-star general to ‘do the right thing’

The Padrino family appears to embody the divisions of many Venezuelans and Venezuelan Americans during the ongoing political crisis.

Maduro turns to loyalists amid calls for election transparency: ‘I throw myself before justice’

Nicolás Maduro and his ruling socialist party continued to attack and criminalize dissent Wednesday amid growing calls for transparency after the election on Sunday.

Biden administration questions legitimacy of Venezuela’s election results

The Biden administration shared their concerns Tuesday over the recent Venezuelan presidential election results, questioning the legitimacy of incumbent Nicolas Maduro’s declared victory and calling for transparency from Venezuela’s electoral authorities.

South Florida leaders demand action amid controversy over Venezuelan election results

South Florida leaders and residents continued their demand for change at a press conference Tuesday after questioning the legitimacy of Venezuelan President Maduro’s purported re-election.

Biden administration calls for transparency in Venezuela election

President Joe Biden left the White House Monday facing questions on various issues, including the contentious election results in Venezuela.

South Florida Venezuelans prepare for country’s elections, hope for change

Venezuelans will be heading to the polls this weekend in a tensely awaited presidential election.

Feds describe how Miami contract pilot got caught trafficking cocaine

A Miami contract pilot known as “Jagger” flew a private jet registered in the U.S. from the Dominican Republic to Venezuela where he expected men to load about 1,700 kilograms of cocaine from Colombia.

Ex-Venezuelan military major in Fort Lauderdale admits to role in $1.7M fraud involving corruption

A former Venezuelan National Guard major pretended to be involved in the financing of food imports when in reality he was part of a $1.7 million fraud, according to U.S. prosecutors.

Griselda archives: Cocaine dirty money affords foreign brutal killers luxury in Miami

Luis Garcia-Blanco, a Cuban who had arrived in Miami on the Mariel boatlift, was accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend Maricel Gutierrez in the head with a machine gun in 1980, in Miami-Dade. He had allegedly also cut off her finger and kept it in a Bible.

Venezuelan street gang members use women to lure murder victim to Miami-Dade hotel, records show

Venezuela’s vicious Tren De Aragua street gang — known for its brutality in dominating narcotrafficking and black markets — is operating in Miami-Dade County, according to federal and local law enforcement. A recent murder is evidence that the gang used women as a lure and was working out of hotels in Medley and near the Miami International Airport.

U.S.-Venezuela prisoner swap: Family in Florida celebrates man’s return in time for Christmas

Stephanie Cristella, who lives in Florida’s Orlando area, said she is hoping her cousin will make it to his mother’s house in Boise, Idaho — in time for Christmas.

‘More Americans at risk’: Gimenez, others critical of Biden decision of Venezuela prisoner swap

The United States agreed to free a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for 10 Americans imprisoned there.

New US-Venezuela prisoner swap includes Miami federal case

A US-Venezuela prisoner swap was ongoing on Wednesday between Nicolas Maduro, who is wanted for narcotrafficking in the U.S., and President Joe Biden’s administration.

Scott has public phone conversation with Venezuela’s María Corina Machado

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott was in Miami-Dade County’s Sweetwater on Friday when he had a public conversation on the phone with María Corina Machado, a lead figure of the Venezuelan opposition.

South Floridians cast ballots in Venezuelan primary election

Some South Florida residents cast their ballots on Sunday in an election taking place thousands of miles away.

Juan Guaidó to join FIU as visiting professor

The former Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, has accepted an invitation from Florida International University to become a visiting professor.

Many Venezuelans no longer have to live in fear of deportation

Sigmund Garcia, who was born in Venezuela and moved to South Florida about a year ago, said in Spanish that he lives with the fear of deportation.

Immigration parole program: Cuban mother dreams of family reunion in Miami-Dade

Odamyis Gomez, a married mother of two in Cuba, said she dreams of a family reunion in Miami-Dade County, and she had put her hope on President Joe Biden’s parole program. But in January, a group of 20 states challenged the case-by-case basis program to help Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.