German Chancellor Merz:

Ukraine must make sure that its young men can find decent jobs in their own country rather than traveling to Germany, Poland, or France.

Colombian President Petro:

There is no evidence whatsoever that a “Cartel of the Suns” exists in drug trafficking.

What this indicates is that Maduro was kidnapped in order to seize Venezuela’s oil.

Colombian President Petro:

The title Trump assigns me as a drug-trafficking outlaw is a reflection of his senile brain.

He sees true libertarians as narco-terrorists because we will not give him either the coal or the oil.

WATCH: Another failed MANPADS/air-defense missile launch at U.S. helicopters over Caracas during Operation Absolute Resolve.

It confirms Venezuelan forces tried limited resistance, but surprise, poor visibility, and weak coordination made it ineffective.

India continues preparations and rehearsals for the Republic Day parade.

Venezuelan Minister of Interior Diosdado Cabello:

We lost Commander Hugo Chávez, we do not have the physical capacity to bring him back, because they killed him.

But Nicolás, we are going to bring him back.

Venezuelan Minister of Interior Diosdado Cabello:

They were only going to take President Maduro, his wife Cilia stood her ground and said, "If you're going to take him, you have to take me too."

BIG: Caracas and Washington are in talks to allow Venezuelan crude exports to the United States, potentially diverting shipments from China and easing storage pressures at state oil company PDVSA.

Source: Reuters

The White House told Reuters that Trump and his advisers are discussing options to acquire Greenland, with use of the U.S. military remaining an option.

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

Personally, to those who threaten me, I say this: my destiny is decided by no one but God.

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

The government of Venezuela governs in our country—no one else.

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government.

At least four people — one soldier and three civilians — were killed and 15 others injured in attacks by the SDF terror group on Syria’s northern city of Aleppo.

According to SANA, SDF drone and artillery strikes hit army positions and residential areas. A hospital and a school were also shelled, prompting civilian displacement.

NEW: Secretary Rubio told lawmakers the Trump administration’s aggressive rhetoric on Greenland is meant to pressure Denmark into negotiations—not signal a military invasion.

The goal, he said in a closed briefing, remains buying Greenland, though the White House continues to say military force isn’t off the table.

Source: WSJ

Trump:

I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.

This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!

I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

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The Trump administration has warned Venezuela’s powerful Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, that he could become a U.S. target unless he cooperates with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and helps maintain order after Maduro’s capture.

Washington views Cabello as a potential spoiler and is pressuring him to comply while quietly seeking ways to sideline him.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López is also seen as a key figure whose cooperation is needed to avoid chaos.

Source: Reuters

U.S. officials “assess” that about 75 people were killed during a U.S.-led raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

President Trump called the operation “effective” but “very violent.”

Source: WaPo

NEW: Russia sent a submarine and other naval forces to escort an oil tanker the United States has been pursuing near Venezuela.

The tanker—formerly Bella 1—was empty but suspected of involvement in sanctioned oil trading. After evading a U.S. boarding attempt, it repainted itself, switched its name, and re-registered under Russia, complicating U.S. legal authority to seize it.

Moscow has urged the U.S. to back off, while the Coast Guard continues to trail the ship as it heads toward northern Europe.

Source: WSJ

The Trump administration has told Venezuela it must expel China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and cut economic ties before being allowed to pump more oil.

Venezuela would also be required to partner exclusively with the U.S. on oil production and prioritize selling crude to American buyers.

Source: ABC News

Seven U.S. service members were injured during the raid in Venezuela to capture Nicolás Maduro; five have already returned to duty, while two are still recovering.

Source: AP

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of national mourning for military members killed during the U.S. operation to capture President Maduro.

Source: Reuters

Former CIA officer Aldrich Ames, who betrayed U.S. intelligence by selling classified information to the Soviet Union and later Russia, died at the age of 84 in a U.S. federal prison.

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