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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Mali: JNIM released footage of the “Abdulhameed Abu Zayd” training camp in the Kidal region of northern Mali.

Benin: The Benin Armed Forces said it killed 45 militants during three months of counterterrorism operations in the country’s north.

Senator Graham:

To the Ayatollahs: you need to understand—if you keep killing your people who are demanding a better life—Donald J. Trump is going to kill you.

Change is coming to Iran. It'll be the biggest change in the history of the Mideast to get rid of this Nazi regime. To the people of Iran, help is on the way.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

Unlike Palestine, “Palestine,” Somaliland is not a virtual state; it is a functioning state.

Senator Ted Cruz:

Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world; it also has the largest reserves of gold in the world.

It is an extraordinarily blessed country.

Senator Ted Cruz:

Do you know where Venezuela ranked in the world in terms of GDP per capita in 1950? It was number four. In 1950, you had the US, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Venezuela was number four.

Then first Hugo Chávez and then Nicolás Maduro, both communists, came in and utterly destroyed the economy.

Senator Ted Cruz:

Communism is a disaster; it doesn’t work. Comrade Mamdani in New York doesn’t understand that. He wants to emulate what Maduro did.

The U.S. State Department announced that a “joint communication mechanism” has been established under U.S. supervision between Israel and Syria to reduce tensions and stabilize relations.

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NEW: Yemen’s southern separatist chief Aidarous al-Zubaidi disappeared on Wednesday after missing a flight to Riyadh for crisis talks.

Trump:

India ordered 68 Apaches, and Prime Minister Modi came to see me. “Sir, may I see you, please?” Yes. I have a very good relationship with him. He’s not that happy with me because, you know, they’re paying a lot of tariffs now.

Iranian Army Chief General Hatami:

If the enemy makes a mistake, it will receive a more decisive response, and we will cut off the hand of any aggressor.

Iranian Army Chief General Hatami:

Protests are a normal and natural matter in any country, but what is abnormal and unconventional is the rapid transformation of protests into riots in a very short time.

This is uncharacteristic of the cultured Iranian nation and is undoubtedly planned by enemies.