US plans to 'run' Venezuela and tap its oil reserves, Trump says, after operation to oust Maduro
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Donald Trump says the United States will run Venezuela at least temporarily after an audacious military operation plucked leader Nicolás Maduro from power and removed him from the country. Trump on Saturday also described plans to tap Venezuela's vast oil reserves to sell to other nations. The dramatic action capped an intensive Trump administration pressure campaign on the South American nation and its autocratic leader and months of secret planning. It resulted in the most assertive American action to achieve regime change since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Legal experts immediately raised questions about whether the operation was lawful.
How the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and U.S. officials have laid out some of the details of the U.S. military strike against Venezuela that led to the capture of leader Nicolás Maduro. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine says U.S. forces had practiced maneuvers for months and got the go-ahead from Trump late Friday. Trump says Maduro was being “highly guarded” in a presidential palace, but wasn't able to close the door to a safe room. Trump says American forces were armed with “massive blowtorches” that could have been used to cut through steel walls if Maduro had locked himself in.
Capture of Maduro and US claim that it will run Venezuela raise new legal questions
WASHINGTON (AP) — Legal questions are being raised about the Trump administration’s capture of Venezuela’s president and claims that it will “run” the South American country. Nicolás Maduro was seized in the middle of the night, and the U.S. says he'll face narcoterrorism conspiracy charges in New York. Experts say the U.S. military's capture of Maduro may violate international law. An early architect of the George W. Bush administration’s policy in Iraq who's now a law professor says removing a strongman is much easier than ensuring the transition to a stable democratic government. Congress hasn't authorized military action in the region but also hasn't passed measures blocking the Trump administration from acting.
Maduro's ouster sparks celebrations among Venezuelans in South Florida
DORAL, Fla. (AP) — Revelers chanted “liberty” and draped Venezuelan flags over their shoulders in South Florida on Saturday to celebrate the U.S. military operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro and remove him from the country. It is a stunning outcome that they had longed for. But it also has left them wondering what comes next in their homeland. People gathered for a rally in Doral as word spread about Maduro's ouster. Doral is the Miami suburb where President Donald Trump has a golf resort and roughly half the population is of Venezuelan descent. Outside a restaurant one man held a cardboard sign with the word “Libertad,” Spanish for freedom.
Venezuelans wonder who's in charge as Trump claims contact with Maduro's deputy
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans are trying to understand who is in charge after the United States announced the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuela's constitution says the vice president should take over, and President Donald Trump says his administration has been in contact with Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez. But Rodríguez is trying to project unity among the ruling party’s factions while downplaying any hint of betrayal. Venezuela’s high court has ordered her to assume the role of interim president. Meanwhile, Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader María Corina Machado says her movement is ready to assert authority. She cites its reported victory in the disputed 2024 election. But Trump indicated that Machado lacks the popular support to govern.
US military operation in Venezuela disrupts Caribbean holiday travel, hundreds of flights canceled
The U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has disrupted Caribbean travel. FlightRadar24.com says no flights crossed over Venezuela on Saturday. Major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean after the FAA imposed restrictions. Flights to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Aruba were canceled. Airlines were waiving change fees for rescheduled flights however. But U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Saturday night that the restrictions would end at midnight and airlines would be able to resume normal operations Sunday.
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers beat the Panthers 16-14, stay alive in chase for NFC South title
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The winner of the NFC South will be crowned at home watching on television. Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton, Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers avoided elimination with a sloppy 16-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on a rain-soaked Saturday. The Buccaneers need New Orleans to beat or tie Atlanta on Sunday to clinch a fifth straight NFC South title. If the Falcons win, the Panthers will secure their first division championship since coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton led them to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago.
Iran's leader says rioters 'must be put in their place' as protest death toll reaches at least 15
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s supreme leader has addressed the ongoing protests, insisting that “rioters must be put in their place.” His comments may signal a more aggressive approach by authorities. The protests, sparked by Iran’s struggling economy, have been going on for a week. On Saturday, violence surrounding the demonstrations killed more people, raising the death toll to at least 15. The protests are the largest since 2022. Iran’s government has signaled a willingness to negotiate, but economic challenges persist.
Investigation is opened into managers of Swiss bar where fire killed 40
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) — Swiss authorities say they have opened an investigation into the managers of the bar where a fire at a New Year’s party left 40 people dead. A prosecutor said Saturday they are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire. More than 100 other people were injured in the blaze that broke out early Thursday at Le Constellation bar in the Alpine resort town of Crans-Montana. The process of identifying the dead and injured continued. The severity of burns has made the work difficult, and families have supplied authorities with DNA samples.
Security advisers discuss peace proposals in Ukraine ahead of leaders' summit
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — National security advisers from Europe and other allies have discussed security guarantees in Kyiv as the U.S.-led push to end the war in Ukraine intensifies. Saturday's discussions should be followed by a meeting Tuesday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. Zelenskyy said work on the peace proposals could now accelerate as Ukraine has shared all documents under discussion with the 18 national security advisers. He also said he hoped that documents on security guarantees would be finalized at Tuesday's meeting in Paris. The Ukrainian president also announced further changes to the government.
