Trump News for Sunday, January 4, 2026

Opposition condemns US’s Venezuela operation: Congress expresses ‘grave concern’, Left calls for nationwide protests

Express News Service, The Indian Express

Congress general secretary and in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh said, “The INC expresses very grave concern on US actions relating to Venezuela in the past 24 hours. Settled principles of international law cannot be violated unilaterally.”

Trump warns Venezuela's new leader of "very big price" if "she doesn't do what's right"

axios.com, Biztoc.com

President Trump issued a warning to Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, on Sunday after she railed against the U.S. following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in the oil-rich South American country. Why it matters: Rodríguez, who served as Ven…

Denmark PM urges Trump to stop ‘threatening’ Greenland

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The US president’s latest threat comes a day after Washington bombed Venezuela and abducted its president.

’60 Minutes’ To Broadcast New Segment On Maduro Following U.S. Capture

Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline

CBS News’ 60 Minutes is airing a new segment on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro after his capture and detainment by the United States government. With the change, the report will take over a previous slot at 7:30 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. PT, following the NFL game…

Former Venezuelan President Maduro to appear in Manhattan federal court Monday

Ben Feuerherd, Gothamist

iew of the Metropolitan Detention facility in the Brooklyn borough of New York, where ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is expected to be held, on Jan. 3. 2026. Maduro and his wife were captured by U.S. forces during a military operation in Caraca…

Venezuela decries ‘cowardly kidnapping’ as officials back Maduro

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US secretary of state backtracks claims that the US will ‘run’ Venezuela, as Trump threatens country's acting president.

Rubio says there's 'not a war against Venezuela' despite U.S. capture of Maduro

Luke Garrett, NPR

Top Democrat calls operation 'a violation of the law' and promises Senate vote on President Trump's war powers

WATCH: Venezuelans in South Florida celebrate Maduro’s ouster

ABC News

Venezuelans in South Florida celebrated on Saturday following the announcement of the U.S. operation to arrest President Nicolás Maduro and remove him from the country.

WATCH: Police officers rescue boy from icy pond

ABC News

Officers rescued an 8-year-old boy after he fell through the ice on a pond on Long Island, New York, on Christmas Day.

Venezuelans reflect on Maduro’s removal, grappling with hope and fear

Catherine Ellis, Al Jazeera English

Nicolas Maduro's fall sparks celebration and anxiety among Venezuelans, raising questions about their nation's future.

Trump aide Katie Miller: Greenland part of the US “SOON”

CK Smith, Salon

Trump aide’s post drew international attention as global leaders reacted to escalating US foreign policy moves

Funniest/Most Insightful Comments Of 2025 At Techdirt

Leigh Beadon, Techdirt

It’s that time again! Instead of our usual look at the top comments of the week, it’s time to celebrate the most highly voted comments of the year at Techdirt. As usual we’ll be looking at the top three winners in the Insightful and Funny categories, as well …

Venezuela’s oil, not alleged drug trafficking, caught Trump’s eye

Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump now says he wants American companies to take over Venezuelan fields in order to extract and sell resources.

Trump sets sights on Greenland

Cameron Henderson, Yahoo Entertainment

Donald Trump has signalled that Greenland is in his sights after capturing Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan dictator, and taking him to the US to face trial.

“They’re in a lot of trouble”: Rubio refuses to rule out Cuba strike from US

Alex Galbraith, Salon

Trump's Cabinet is not shying away from the president's chatter about war in Latin America.

The Media Refuses to Call Trump’s Venezuela Attack an Act of War

Adam Johnson, The Intercept

By framing this brazen act of aggression in euphemistic terms, the media is falling in line with Trump. The post The Media Refuses to Call Trump’s Venezuela Attack an Act of War appeared first on The Intercept.

Here are the countries with the most oil reserves, and where Venezuela ranks

Lakshmi Varanasi,Andy Kiersz, Business Insider

Trump says the US will look to tap Venezuela's oil. Venezuela has the most oil reserves, but only accounts for 1% of global production.

What is Delta Force? The elite US special ops unit reported to be at the center of the raid to capture Venezuela's Maduro

Sinéad Baker, Business Insider

The US's highly elite but secretive Delta Force captures and eliminates high-value targets. They reportedly helped capture Venezuela's Maduro.

From Caracas 'fort' to New York court: Maduro's capture in pictures and maps

BBC News

An elite unit of the US army captured the Venezuelan leader in an extraordinary operation that can be followed through photos, satellite images and maps.

Rubio predicts 'dramatic interest' in Venezuela from Western oil companies

Nicholas Kerr, ABC News

Rubio says Trump administration is "pretty certain" Western oil companies will return to Venezuela but wouldn't say if US troops would be used to secure its oil fields.

$2.75M for Jesus: Trump auctions live-painted portrait

CK Smith, Salon

The live-painted portrait sold for $2.75 million at Mar‑a‑Lago, again blending art, faith and political theater

NOW RUBIO WANTS CUBA?

Maria Villarroel, Themirror.com

Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not rule out that the Cuban communist government would become the Trump administration's next target

Gabbard's 2019 warning that Venezuela strike would be disastrous goes viral...

Maria Villarroel, Irishstar.com

Gabbard's 2019 warning that Venezuela strike would be disastrous goes viral... (First column, 1st story, link) Related stories:New leader Delcy Rodriguez is hardline socialist! Kept Maduro in power for years... SHE BLAMES THE JEWS...

‘Cuba in deep trouble’, why only Nicolas Maduro was captured and what next for Venezuela: Top Trump aide Marco Rubio answers key questions

Express Web Desk, The Indian Express

US President Donald Trump had announced the stunning military operation, revealing that the Venezuelan leader and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country to face charges in a US court.

Trump Threatens Venezuela’s New Leader With a Fate Worse Than Maduro’s

Michael Scherer, The Atlantic

The president told The Atlantic that Delcy Rodríguez needs to comply with U.S. wishes—or else.

Trump wants Venezuela's oil. Will his plan work?

bbc.com, Biztoc.com

Trump wants Venezuela's oil. Will his plan work? Donald Trump has vowed to tap into Venezuela's oil reserves after seizing President Nicolás Maduro and saying the US will "run" the country until a 'safe' transition. The US president wants American oil firms t…

‘A lot of questions still left’: What we know about the Trump admin’s plans for Venezuela

youtube.com, Biztoc.com

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is behind bars in New York City, where he awaits trial on federal charges of ...

Maduro is now in the U.S. to face criminal charges after deposed Venezuelan leader smiles while escorted by DEA agents

fortune.com, Biztoc.com

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro arrived in the United States to face criminal charges after being captured in an audacious nighttime military operation that President Donald Trump said would set the U.S. up to “run” the South American country and tap…

What Is Delta Force? US Military Unit Behind Venezuela Operation

newsweek.com, Biztoc.com

Venezuela’s strongman Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were “captured and flown out of the country” on Saturday morning in an apparently flawless operation led by Delta Force, one of the Pentagon’s most elite units. Under direction of President Dona…

DON JR. BEING GROOMED TO RUN IN '28?

Alex Hannaford, The-independent.com

DON JR. BEING GROOMED TO RUN IN '28? (Second column, 7th story, link) Related stories:RUBIO RISING... Most challenging role yet: Viceroy of Venezuela... Vance team rushes to claim 'deeply involved'... Drudge Report Feed need…

“All about Epstein”: Carville says Trump invaded Venezuela for a simple reason

Alex Galbraith, Salon

The commentator said Donald Trump is throwing up desperate distractions from the Epstein Files.

Here's a partial list of U.S. elected officials opposing Trump's invasion of Venezuela

Brian Mann, NPR

Trump's decision to depose Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has drawn praise inside the U.S., especially from Republican leaders. But the invasion also faces significant opposition from elected officials across the political spectrum.

Rubio claims US is running 'the direction' of Venezuela situation

Nicholas Kerr, ABC News

Secretary of State Rubio says U.S. was in charge of the "direction" of Venezuela after U.S. forces arrested and deposed Venezuelan President Maduro on Saturday.

Bowen: Trump's action could set precedent for authoritarian powers across globe

BBC News

Trump seems to believe he makes the rules and others cannot have the same privileges.

Trump Has Started Carving Up the World. Now It’s Putin and Xi’s Turn.

Brynn Tannehill, The New Republic

The U.S. invasion of Venezuela late last Friday shocked the world for many reasons. It represents another fundamental departure from the post-WWII order supported by the United States for the last 50 years. It was also an unprovoked, naked act of aggression b…

Map Of Greenland Under US Flag Sparks Danish Ambassador Response...

Ellie Cook, Newsweek

Map Of Greenland Under US Flag Sparks Danish Ambassador Response... (Second column, 6th story, link)

News orgs held off on reporting raid...

Max Tani, Shelby Talcott, Semafor.com

News orgs held off on reporting raid... (Top headline, 9th story, link) Related stories:Maduro's brazen gestures as he arrives at rat-infested 'hell hole' prison in Brooklyn... USA TO 'RUN' VENEZUELA DURING TRANSITION? HEGSETH: Interve…

WATCH: A look into the military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro

ABC News

The military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was highly detailed that took months of planning. Retired U.S. Army Lt. General Doug Lute discusses the operation.

WATCH: How volatile is the situation in Venezuela?

ABC News

ABC News' contributor and former State Department Official Col. Steve Ganyard discusses how volatile the situation in Venezuela is as the people wait to see who will be in charge.

Gunmen kill over 30 in village raid, abduct others in northern Nigeria

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Witnesses say the attackers drove motorcycles and opened fire indiscriminately on the Kasuwan ⁠Daji market in Demo.

Trump’s Audacious Success

Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic

The president’s operation targeting Nicolás Maduro can advance U.S. interests—but it’s unclear whether it actually will.

Who is Nicolas Maduro?

Yashraj Sharma, Al Jazeera English

From humble beginnings in a working-class neighbourhood to an authoritarian presidency, here is a look at Maduro's life.

Trump has declared war — on the Kennedys

Jason Kyle Howard, Salon

From Jack and Jackie to Bobby, Ted and Eunice, Trump is on a rampage against the Kennedy legacy

Despite Trump-era reversals, 2025 still saw environmental wins. Here are 7 worth noting.

Maya Yang, The Guardian, Grist

Environmental advocates notched key wins at local and state levels this year — despite the Trump administration’s rollbacks.

Nike's Crisis and the Economics of Brand Decay

Philipp D. Dubach, Philippdubach.com

Economic analysis of Nike's crisis: how complementary assets, path dependency, and strategic misalignment destroyed competitive advantage.

Plan to seize, revitalize oil industry faces major hurdles...

JOSH FUNK AP Business Writer, KABC-TV

Plan to seize, revitalize oil industry faces major hurdles... (Top headline, 4th story, link) Related stories:Maduro's brazen gestures as he arrives at rat-infested 'hell hole' prison in Brooklyn... USA TO 'RUN' VENEZUELA DURING TRANSIT…

Photo of Maduro bound and blindfolded posted by Trump sparks condemnation

Al Jazeera English

The image of abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro bound and blindfolded prompted shock and condemnation.

Key Epstein Deadline Arrives as Attention Turns to Venezuela...

Catherine Bouris, Daily Beast

Key Epstein Deadline Arrives as Attention Turns to Venezuela... (First column, 5th story, link) Related stories:Maduro Wife Seen for First Time Since Arrest... Risks Totally Blowing Up MAGA With Shock New Invasion... MTG joins AOC in s…

Update: Lumber Prices Mostly Unchanged Year-over-year

Calculated Risk, Calculatedriskblog.com

Here is another update on lumber prices. NOTE: The CME group discontinued the Random Length Lumber Futures contract on May 16, 2023.  I sw...

President Trump and Elon Musk Attend Dinner Together at Mar-a-Lago

TMZ Staff, TMZ

President Trump and Elon Musk have repaired their broken relationship ... the two giants were seen together at a Saturday night dinner in Mar-a-Lago. Video surfaced on X showing Trump walking through a crowd of people in his Palm Beach, Florida,…

Zelenskyy says ‘US knows what to do next’ after Trump reveals capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro

Express Web Desk, The Indian Express

His remarks came a day after the US military carried out an attack on Venezuela and captured deposed leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas and their removal from the country.

Canadian officials say US health institutions no longer dependable for accurate information

Olivia Bowden in Toronto, Yahoo Entertainment

Misinformation from the Trump administration is cited as fuelling Canadians’ concerns over childhood vaccinations

‘He F’ed Around and Found Out’: White House video mocks Maduro after dramatic US capture

Express Web Desk, The Indian Express

Hours after the campaign, the White House released a montage with visuals of Maduro delivering a fiery speech, taunting the US to come and capture him.

Who is Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, now leading the country?

Urooba Jamal, Al Jazeera English

Rodriguez has a long history of representing the socialist 'revolution' of late President Hugo Chavez.

UPSC Key: US capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, Buddha Piprahwa relics, and Social Security Code

Roshni Yadav, The Indian Express

How is knowing about the Buddha Piprahwa relics relevant to the UPSC exam? What significance do topics like the white-bellied heron, parliamentary privileges and the Social Security Code have for both the Preliminary and Main examinations? You can learn more …

Links 1/4/2026

Haig Hovaness, Nakedcapitalism.com

Our strategic daily links: kung Fu handstands, wildfire smoke, Venezuela attack, Chinese lasers, Bollywood's angry men, Gaza horrors, Ukraine burning, vanishing privacy, Trumpishness, Musk world, hapless Democrats, immigration troubles, Mr. market, AI, and wr…

The Trump Doctrine in Venezuela

Richard Haass, Project Syndicate

The US military operation to arrest Nicolás Maduro underscores President Donald Trump’s view of the Western Hemisphere as a region where US interests take precedence. Russia and China will welcome this as a sign that Trump shares their vision of a world divid…

10 Sunday Reads

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

Avert your eyes! My Sunday morning look at incompetency, corruption and policy failures: • Partying at Mar-a-Lago with the New MAGA Media Stars: While major news outlets obsessed over the anticipated release of the Epstein files, Trump-friendly news influence…

The Venezuelan Oil Narative Is Pure Theatre

Tracy (Chi), Renegaderesources.pro

The Real Reason the Pentagon Approved Venezuela: Critical Minerals and Adversary Expulsion

Trump hinted at US troops guarding Venezuela's oil. Putting boots on the ground comes with high risks.

Sam Fellman, Business Insider

The US military has experience guarding oil infrastructure, but deploying troops to Venezuela comes with high risks in a dangerous environment.

RUBIO RISING...

Sophia Cai, Felicia Schwartz, Dasha Burns and Eric Bazail-Eimil, Politico

RUBIO RISING... (Second column, 1st story, link) Related stories:Vance team rushes to claim 'deeply involved'... Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron

Clocks ‘spring forward’ for daylight saving in weeks’ time

Claudia Dimuro, PennLive

There's still a push both at a federal and state level to get rid of daylight saving time.

Are We Over the Moon?

Lizzie O’Leary, Slate Magazine

NASA wants to make it to the moon. Part of the problem is the desire to get to Mars.

What is the Monroe Doctrine, which Trump has cited over Venezuela?

Umut Uras, Al Jazeera English

US attack on Venezuela evokes Monroe Doctrine, laid out in 1823 to cement Washington's sphere of influence in Americas.

Wicked composer latest to cancel Kennedy Center gig after Trump name change

BBC News

Stephen Schwartz says he will not appear at the arts venue as it "has now become an ideological statement".

Trump DHS Post Calling for ‘100 Million Deportations’ Suggests Intent to Kick Out Nonwhite Citizens

Conor Gallagher, Nakedcapitalism.com

One journalist called it “absolutely insane Nazi propaganda, posted by the US government.”

Trump wants U.S. oil companies in Venezuela. Here's what to know

Julia Simon, NPR

President Trump wants more U.S. oil companies to "go in" to Venezuela. But there are economic, historical, and climate reasons that may not be easy. Here's what you need to know about oil in Venezuela.

Trump tried to bury evidence of the Jan. 6 riot. NPR's archive preserves the facts

Tom Dreisbach, NPR

NPR's Jan. 6 archive brings together reporting, video, documents and testimony to show what really happened during the Capitol riot. Explore the timeline, cases and evidence behind the attack.

China urges US to ‘stop toppling’ Venezuelan government, release Maduro

Al Jazeera Staff, News Agencies, Al Jazeera English

Beijing is likely to limit its response to diplomatic protest rather than hard power, analysts tell Al Jazeera.

Trump announces US takeover of Venezuela’s oil sector: What it could mean for global energy markets, and India

Sukalp Sharma, The Indian Express

Although it accounts for less than 1% of global oil production, Venezuela has the largest oil reserves globally, estimated at over 300 billion barrels or a fifth of the proven oil reserves all over the world.

Global protests erupt against US attack on Venezuela

Al Jazeera English

Protesters have rallied worldwide after Donald Trump announced the US would ‘run’ Venezuela.

How the US attack on Venezuela, abduction of Maduro unfolded

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

After months of planning, US forces, with 150 jets taking off from 20 airbases, undertook an operation to seize Maduro.

Trump just sent a very dangerous message to Latin America

Raphael Tsavkko Garcia, Al Jazeera English

No one is safe from an immediate and violent US intervention.

Syria’s challenges to rebuild its armed forces

Justin Salhani, Al Jazeera English

Syria's new interim government has started the process to rebuild the armed forces, but challenges lie ahead.

Poverty, unemployment skyrocket in the Gaza Strip after Israel’s war

Ola Al-Asi, Al Jazeera English

Gaza's economy has plummeted by 87 percent in two years, deepening poverty and leaving thousands without resources.

Trump says opposition leader Maria Corina Machado unfit to run Venezuela

Al Jazeera English

US President Donald Trump says Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado lacks the respect to run the country.

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,410

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

These are the key developments from day 1,410 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Trump says US will take Venezuela’s oil

Al Jazeera English

Trump says the US will ‘take back’ Venezuela’s oil, arguing it should be used to reimburse Washington for past spending.

What to know about the protests now shaking Iran as tensions remain high over its nuclear program

JON GAMBRELL, Yahoo Entertainment

Widening protests in Iran sparked by the Islamic Republic's ailing economy are putting new pressure on its theocracy. Tehran is still reeling from a 12-day ...

War Room Photos Catch Trump and Goons Scrolling Social Media

Yahoo Entertainment

Venezuelans wonder who's in charge as Trump claims contact with Maduro's deputy

The Associated Press, NPR

Venezuelans scrambled to understand who was in charge of their country after the U.S. captured Nicolás Maduro. President Trump offered an answer: The United States would take control of Venezuela.

Marjorie Taylor Greene made waves. Her constituents don't agree on whether it was worth it

BILL BARROW and EMILIE MEGNIEN, Yahoo Entertainment

President Donald Trump says Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is a traitor. “Every thought that we had in our minds, she seemed to be very good at verbalizing...

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Copyright Suit Gets Its Wings Clipped By Appeals Court In Win For Paramount

Dominic Patten, Deadline

Tom Cruise & Paramount are cleared for takeoff on more Top Gun thanks to a trio of federal judges. Three and a half years after Paramount was first buzzsawed by a Top Gun: Maverick copyright infringement from the estate of the journalist who penned the piece …

US Republicans back Trump on Venezuela amid faint MAGA dissent

Ali Harb, Al Jazeera English

Right-wing lawmakers laud US president for seizing Nicolas Maduro, but some decry prospect of another endless war.

Fact-checking Trump following US ‘capture’ of Venezuela’s Maduro

PolitiFact, Al Jazeera English

Republican US president says Washington will 'run' Venezuela after US troops seize the country's leader.

Even Close Allies Are Asking Why Trump Wants to Run Venezuela

Vivian Salama, Nancy A. Youssef, Jonathan Lemire, Shane Harris, Isaac Stanley-Becker, Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic

Nicolás Maduro was plucked out of Caracas, but the more shocking news was that the White House plans to run Venezuela.

'Deeply shocked': World leaders react to US attack on Venezuela

BBC News

Leaders from around the world have responded with mixed reactions after a large-scale strike on Venezuela and Maduro's capture by the US.

Nicolas Maduro Flashes Peace Sign While in Federal Custody, Video

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Nicolas Maduro's gone from president in Venezuela to prisoner in the United States ... and, we've got the first clear images of him in federal custody. TMZ has obtained two videos of the deposed Latin American leader shortly after he landed in New…

Exhausted Trump, 79, Goes on Scatterbrained Posting Spree

Jack Revell, Daily Beast

President Donald Trump is taking a victory lap on social media following his surprise attack on Venezuela. On Saturday evening, following a wild early...

Tony Dokoupil Interviews Pete Hegseth In Debut As ‘CBS Evening News’ Anchor

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Tony Dokoupil made his debut as CBS Evening News‘ permanent anchor on Saturday with an extended interview with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “Great to be with you tonight, two days earlier than expected, with that major breaking news, news that could shape …

Leonardo DiCaprio To Miss Palm Springs Film Festival Honor Due To “Unexpected Travel Disruptions” Following Venezuela Strike

Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline

Leonardo DiCaprio, who is set to receive the 2026 Palm Springs Film Festival’s Actor counterpart of the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his turn in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, will be forced to miss the event due to air restrictions res…

'A long road ahead': Venezuelans react to Maduro's arrest with hope and worry

BBC News

Caracas residents worry about what comes after US intervention in their country amid a tense political climate.

Venezuela temporarily closes border with Brazil following US strike

Maria Clara Matos, Al Jazeera English

US attacks on Venezuela could fuel greater destabilisation in Latin America and spur a further exodus from the country.

US capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro puts New Delhi in a bind: Political stakes low, moral dilemma high

Shubhajit Roy, The Indian Express

India’s own ties with Venezuela have been of low stakes as well, although it has had a robust history of oil imports from the country.