Category World News

Vladimir Padrino Lopez, the defense minister for Venezuela, has described the US’s decision to kidnap president Nicolas Maduro as a “cowardly kidnapping,” claiming that some of the president’s bodyguards and civilians were killed “in cold blood” on the side of the country.

Additionally, Padrino Lopez endorsed a Supreme Court decision that appointed vice president Delcy Rodriguez, who also serves as oil minister, as acting president for 90 days in his televised statement on Sunday.

Rodriguez’s refusal to cooperate with Washington sparked a “very big price,” according to US President Donald Trump. In a telephone interview, Trump claimed that if she doesn’t do what’s right, she will end up paying a lot more than Maduro.

In the early hours of Saturday, US forces bombed military installations and drove away Maduro and his wife to New York to face drug trafficking charges. At Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York state, the Venezuelan president was taken to a Brooklyn jail after being escorted off a plane.

On Monday, he will appear in federal court in Manhattan for his first time.

Venezuelan oil is being benefited by US oil blockade.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the suggestion that Washington would only be able to impose an existing “oil quarantine” and use that leverage to push for policy changes in Venezuela.

Rubio’s statements, one day after Trump’s announcement that the oil-rich country would “run,” appeared to temper concerns. Parts of the Trump administration’s own Republican Party coalition, including those who oppose foreign interventions, and those who recall previous efforts to build a nation in Iraq and Afghanistan, were uneasy about the Trump administration’s actions.

Rubio refrained from expressing such sentiments, claiming that Trump’s intentions had been misunderstood by a “foreign policy establishment” that was focused on the Middle East.

According to Al Jazeera’s Phil Lavelle, who is based in Doral, Florida in the US, Trump was elected despite having adopted an “America First” policy that prohibited US service members from engaging in international conflicts or putting US service personnel in danger.

Lavelle remarked, “We’re not afraid to put boots on the ground,” which he had said less than 24 hours ago.

Trump’s military action in Venezuela was met with protests in numerous US cities. In downtown Los Angeles, hundreds of people gathered in the rain with signs urging the government to stop bombing Venezuela right away. and “No Blood for Oil”

I vehemently oppose US imperialism. They want to aid the corporate billionaires, but they also want oil. They only have a means of acquiring control through bombing, which is their only way to do so. I’m also opposed to it, according to one protester, Niven.

Trump claimed that Venezuela had “stolen” oil from the US and that it would now be taken back in a speech on Saturday that he made little mention of despite making little mention of it in his speech.

Ben Saul, the UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, criticized Trump’s actions in Venezuela and demanded that he be questioned and impeached. Every life lost in Venezuela is a death sentence. In a social media post, he retorted that President Trump should be impeached and the alleged killings should be looked into.

On Monday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) met to discuss Venezuela’s current situation. The US strikes, which a spokesperson called “a dangerous precedent,” “deeply alarmed” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said he was “deeply alarmed” by them.

Uncertainty after Maduro’s abduction in Venezuela

Venezuelans in Caracas have praised the US’s seizure of Maduro, but others fear that it will worsen the country’s conflict and cause protests that denounce the US.

Because it has been 28 years of government, there should be a positive change for all Venezuelans, according to Ronald Gaulee, a motorcycle rider in Caracas.

Juan Carlos Rincon, the merchant, was more cautious. He told the Reuters news agency, “The truth is that there is a lot of manipulation behind all this.” Venezuela has the right to choose its own destiny and its own leaders, just like any other country does; we want to be in peace and move forward.

Baker Franklin Jimenez vowed to follow the government’s advice to stand up for the country. He said, “If they had taken him away, I believe they shouldn’t have,” because it would have led to a conflict that worsened than the one we currently have. We must go out to defend our country, to defend ourselves, and that includes bombings and other incidents.

In the face of uncertainty, some Venezuelans crossed the Venezuela-Colombia border to travel to Cucuta, Colombia, where they made the decision to flee. San Cristobal, a city in Venezuela, is in a “tense situation,” according to Karina Rey, who lives nearby.

People are extremely paranoid or apprehensive about food, and there are long lines. Rey reported to Al Jazeera that “supermarkets are closing”. We don’t know what will happen in the upcoming weeks, so the lines are very long just to stock up on food. What will happen, we’re anticipating it.

Many Venezuelans there initially felt jubilant after Maduro’s ouster, according to Al Jazeera’s Alessandro Rampietti, who was based in Cucuta. He claimed that “that quickly shifted to uncertainty.”

According to Rampietti, “a number of people predicted that the United States would immediately re-enter Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who many Venezuelans believe won the previous presidential election,”

There is growing concern about what might happen next, especially with the majority of the current leadership still in place and Vice President Delcy Rodriguez being appointed interim leader.

What will happen next, according to Tiziano Breda, a senior analyst at the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, depends on how the government and the armed forces react.

Cameroon advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with a score of 2-1 as Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane scored either side of halftime to defeat South Africa.

Two minutes after half-time, Kofane, a 14-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward, scored the crucial second goal at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat. Tchamadeu opened the scoring in the 34th minute.

Evidence Makgopa rallied late from South Africa, but it was Cameroon who prevailed. The hosts, Morocco, will play the five-time champions in a heavyweight quarterfinal on Friday.

They can relax before the match, knowing that Morocco will be under no pressure to defend their title in front of their own home supporters.

After a chaotic start, when Samuel Eto’o, the president of the football federation, and Indomitable Lions legend, replaced Marc Brys as the coach, David Pagou, Cameroon’s AFCON was already a success.

Hugo Broos, who had been South Africa’s top coach for nine years, was deposed by the new coach, who had promised to show no mercy to Cameroon at the time of their last continental crown at the Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Bafana Bafana, who finished third in the last AFCON in Ivory Coast two years ago, will be greatly disappointed, but they can make themselves at ease by focusing on the upcoming World Cup.

However, South Africa had opportunities to take the lead early, but within seven minutes Relebohile Mofokeng wasted a valuable opportunity.

Mofokeng was put on goal by Cameroon’s Che Malone after a simple ball was sent back, but the Orlando Pirates forward blazed over.

The offside flag then prevented Lyle Foster from finding the net, so Cameroon won the match shortly after the half-hour mark.

The ball fell to Carlos Baleba on the edge of the area when the South African defense could only partially clear a corner.

The London-born full-back with Stoke City rolled home from close range after he tried a shot that was deflected into Tchamadeu’s path.

The Cameroonian fans, who made up the majority of the 14, 127 crowd, included Eto’o, a two-time AFCON champion, among those in attendance. That goal was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check.

South Africa had anticipated a strong second half start, but Cameroon did not. Within two minutes of the restart.

Mahamadou Nagida’s substitution crossed from the left, and Kofane scored the tournament’s second goal.

After 88 minutes, Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy turned in a low cross from fellow substitute Aubrey Modiba to make good saves from Samukele Kabini and a Teboho Mokoena free-kick.

That resulted in a grandstand finish, but Cameroon resisted.

Tanzania vs. Morocco

With a nervous 1-0 Round-of-16 victory over Tanzania in Rabat earlier on Sunday, Brahim Diaz scored his fourth goal for Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

It took a fine strike from Diaz to secure a spot in the last eight, where Morocco dominated possession but Tanzania had opportunities as well.

On 64 minutes, Diaz was given a feeding from the team’s Achraf Hakimi on the right side of the box, and he shot into the goal from a close angle when most people expected a cross.

With the score at 0-0, Morocco squandered several more chances, but they were fortunate that Tanzania also wasted chances, with Feisal Salum and Simon Msuva both missing crucial opportunities.

The home team, who have yet to hit the top of the tournament, did enough to maintain their momentum.

Diaz said, “We faced our toughest opponent in this Tanzania team, and the competition is getting stronger.”

We are aware that not everything worked, but we are fortunate to have advanced to the next round of qualifying. We’re going back to work now so we can finish the quarterfinals.

The abduction of Maduro raises legal questions, but there is little criticism from the West.

Wilmer Castro wasn’t surprised by the flurry of messages that lit up his phone because he was 26 years old.

However, as he began to scroll on Saturday morning, he realized that the messages were not birthday wishes but news that Nicolas Maduro had been ousted from power.

The university student said to Ejido, “I think it is the best gift I will ever receive, one I will never forget.”

Castro recounting the events that led to Maduro’s death to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, told Al Jazeera that he was so excited by the news that he began daydreaming about his future self.

“I’ll let them know that a dictator fell on January 3, 2026, and that moment is going to be very beautiful.”

Following months of growing tensions between the two nations, including US strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels and US ships being deployed close to Venezuela’s coastal waters, the country’s long-standing authoritarian leader and his wife were abducted by the US.

However, a significant quiet had ruined Castro’s initial joy by Sunday morning. The city came to a gloomy halt due to uncertainty’s impact, which closed in on him and made him feel unlike he had previously felt.

It’s like being alone in a field. I can’t describe the mournful silence, he said.

Many Venezuelans felt that uncertainty early on Sunday.

Since 1999, Venezuela has had a socialist government, first under President Hugo Chavez and then under Maduro. This transition, which started with oil-funded social programs but turned into economic mismanagement, corruption, and repression, was followed by international sanctions, which have further strained the population.

The opposition alliance’s leadership sprang up amid anticipation of the presidential election of 2024. However, a crackdown on dissention took place when Maduro won despite the opposition’s claims that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won overwhelmingly. Many Venezuelans came to the conclusion that any actual transition might require external pressure or even intervention.

Deathly silence

Edward Ocariz, 54, was woken up on Saturday in southeast Caracas by a loud crash and vibrating windows in his home close to Fort Tiuna military barracks. He assumed there was an earthquake, but when he looked outside, he observed unfamiliar helicopters winging their wings in the air.

He claimed that “the noise kept coming.” Because I’ve never seen them here, I could tell immediately that they were not Venezuelan.

Then it stopped abruptly as it had begun.

According to Ocariz, “there was a deathly silence,” adding that the brief suspension of mobile phone services and power outages contributed to the silence. We were “wary to understand what was happening.”

Fear was present in the information that did manage to seep through, according to Ocariz. However, it was a fear that was “mixed with enormous joy.” It’s challenging to explain.

Ocariz reflected on the suffering he had endured under the president’s rule on Sunday as images of a blindfolded and handcuffed Maduro began to circulate.

The human rights activist claimed he was wrongfully accused of “terrorism” and spent nearly five months in the maximum-security facility in Carabobo state’s Tocuyito prison.

The country had a long history of detention for those who opposed him under Maduro. Nearly 2,500 protesters, human rights activists, journalists, and opposition figures were detained following the tumultuous 2024 election. Some people were later released, but others are still in prison.

“It made me feel happy. In full knowledge that Maduro won’t have to endure the miserable conditions he did in prison, or be denied food and legal counsel, Ocariz said, “a process of justice is finally beginning.”

Ocariz warns that more needs to be done in spite of the joy he and other Venezuelans are currently experiencing.

Because it is well known how the police and justice system use their authority to criminalize whoever they choose, the population still experiences a lot of fear [from the authorities] — psychological fear.

Important institutions have remained in the hands of Nicolas Maduro’s inner circle, including acting president Delcy Rodriguez, who has been appointed vice president.

However, seeing a senior Chavista figure still in power, especially as the Trump administration continues to work with her, unsettling for many Venezuelans, including Castro and Ocariz.

“It is undoubtedly frustrating for me. I am aware that Venezuela needs to maintain its administrative, functional, and operational management as a country, Ocariz said, adding that there must be some restraint and order in the US to combat the power vacuum.

concerns about the economy

Venezuela’s militarisation continues to be a concern, and there are persistent fears of more unrest. The authorities relied on “colectivos,” armed civilian groups that rights organizations accused of intimidation and violence, in times of dissent.

Jose Parejo &amp, Associates in Caracas, an energy and political risk analyst, expressed concern about the possibility of more riots and social unrest.

According to him, “any potential new government that will proceed with the elimination of the top ranks of the armed forces and security and police forces will result in the colectivos’ disarmament,” adding that addressing the persistent economic crisis should also be one of the top priorities.

According to him, “a new government that implements quick economic reforms leading to a recovery will outweigh the ideological legacy of the Bolivarian revolution,” referring to Chavismo, a concept that is characterized by anti-imperialism, patriotism, and socialism.

The US, specifically the sanctions it placed on the oil sector, has long been held responsible for Venezuela’s economic woes by those who are loyal to Maduro.

Chalhoub said he thought Trump’s pledge to boost the nation’s oil production might boost the economy, but he found the US president’s claim that the US will “run the country” illogical.

Not everyone is, however, happy with the attack by the Trump administration.

The US president is reportedly engaged in an imperialist schema with the intention of “robbing” Venezuela of its natural resources, according to Alex Rajoy, a mototaxi driver in Caracas.

Rajoy said he will stay at home over the upcoming days because he fears more attacks would occur despite his anger.

He said, “These missiles aren’t just going to Chavistas,” making reference to those who support Venezuela’s socialist ideology.

He continued, “They also threaten opposition people,” noting that anyone who backs foreign intervention is considered a betrayal. He claimed that it was “treason against the homeland.”

Now what?

Fear for his immediate needs, including concerns about whether stores would remain open in the Ejido and rising costs, has slowed Castro, the university student, as he pondered the excitement he felt on Saturday. He has long struggled to buy basic items under Maduro.

He claimed that “people in the street were going crazy yesterday.” Because we don’t know what the future holds, everyone is buying food with half of what they already have in their bank accounts and buying what they could.

The scenes made me think of the shortages of 2016 and the country’s crisis, which caused people to wait for hours and travel between stores with restrictions on what they could buy.

Castro claimed that Venezuelans are considering the country’s future and the uncertainty surrounding it a day after the attack.

In less than 24 hours, the US bombed Venezuela, brutally abducted its president and his wife from their Caracas compound, and transported them to a New York detention facility. How did regime change happen over night?