SOURCE: BBC
Donald Trump acknowledges “many, many” Cubans were killed during the “brilliant” military operation in which Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro was seized
Cuba has said 32 Cuban nationals died when US elite troops stormed Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores’ Caracas compound on Saturday – here’s why the US says it took action
Armed police are seen patrolling the streets of Venezuela’s capital Caracas, in an image shared by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello
In a video shared online, the security forces are filmed shouting “loyal always, traitors never”
Many figures from ousted Nicolás Maduro’s regime are still in charge – intimidation and fear remain, a Venezuelan woman tells our global affairs reporter
Earlier, the country’s exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado described Maduro’s arrest as “a huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity”
US military aircraft appear to be using RAF bases in the UK to track an oil tanker sailing in the North Atlantic.
The US Coastguard tried to board the tanker last month in the Caribbean. Then named Bella 1, the tanker was believed to be heading towards Venezuela, before it dramatically changed course – and changed it’s name to the Marinera.
US officials had already obtained a seizure warrant for the tanker – accused of breaking sanctions and shipping Iranian oil.
It’s approach nearer Europe coincided with the arrival of around 10 US military transport aircraft in the UK, as well as helicopters.
Speculation has been mounting that the US might mount an operation to seize the tanker. CBS News has reported that two US officials have said they’d rather seize the ship than sink it.
The tanker is now believed to be between Scotland and Iceland – distance and weather making a boarding difficult.
If any US military operation were to be launched from the UK then Washington would be expected to inform its ally. The Ministry of Defence says it won’t comment on other nations military activities.
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Military patrols on every corner and civilians’ phones being checkedpublished at 16:38
In the capital Caracas, a 34-year-old entrepreneur described “military patrols on every corner and groups of armed civilians, [who are] supporting the government, causing fear among the population”.
People are acting with “caution here because of how the government behaves towards civilians”.
“We fear what they will do to us and that there will be reprisals,” the entrepreneur said.
A man in the city said that on the surface “everything is working as normal”, with shops and businesses running, but civilians’ phones are being checked.
Another man living in Caracas said he was too scared to speak by phone or message today.Our correspondents have now wrapped up answering your questions about the US action in Venezuela and its global ramifications. Thanks for following. Before we move on, here’s a selection of a few more:
Diplomatic Correspondent Paul Adams is asked about Greenland – and whether it’s next when it comes to US aggression? He says there’s “no immediate prospect” of a kind of military operation on Greenland, and that Trump brushed it away when asked on Air Force One a few days ago.
South America Correspondent Ione Wells is asked why Venezuela is not rich from its oil. She replies they may not be feeling the benefits due to widespread economic mismanagement in the last couple of years, as well as corruption and a lack of investment in the country.
The panel is asked whether the world order is now dead. Paul Adams says there have been fears of this since Donald Trump returned to the White House. He says Trump has expanded the area around America that is seen as vital to the US’ national interest.You’ve asked about when Maduro first came to power and what his relationship has been like with Donald Trump.
South America correspondent Ione Wells explains that Maduro first came to power in 2013 when his predecessor Hugo Chavez died. She adds that Maduro has long been a foe of Donald Trump due to three main reasons.
Firstly, millions of people have left Venezuela since Maduro came to power, many moving to the US.
Trump has also accused Maduro of being head of a criminal trafficking organisation. Something Maduro denies.
The US also does not believe the 2024 election in Venezuela was true or fair and that it does not recognise Maduro as president.
