TODAY'S MORNING NEWS

 

Today’s newscast covers the latest developments across the United States, the escalation of immigration raids nationwide, and major international events, with a special focus on Venezuela, Mexico, and Latin America.

UNITED NATIONS:

The US action made “all States less safe around the world,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commissioner.

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Ms. Shamdasani rejected the US justification for its intervention on the grounds of the Venezuelan Government’s “longstanding and appalling” human rights record. 

“Accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law,” she insisted.

“Far from being a victory for human rights, this military intervention, which is in contravention of Venezuelan sovereignty and the UN Charter, damages the architecture of international security…And this is a point that the Secretary-General has also made.”

Ms. Shamdasani explained the High Commissioner’s position that the military operation “violates the fundamental principle of international law (and) the UN Charter, which states that States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.”

United States:

 On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores arrived at the federal courthouse for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan.

From that Court, the Bolivarian leader made his first public statement after U.S. forces abducted him during a military operation in his country’s capital on January 3rd.

“I am the president of Venezuela, and I consider myself a prisoner of war. I was captured in my home in Caracas,” President Maduro declared.

“I am not guilty, I am a decent man, and I remain the president of my country,” the Bolivarian leader affirmed as he rejected the charges against him.

 

Yesterday, Leonor Zalabata, Colombian Permanent Representative to the United Nations denounced before the UN Security Council the violations of Venezuela’s sovereignty following the United States bombings of January 3.

She described the explosions in Caracas as a direct transgression of territorial integrity that lacked any legal or international moral basis. Zalabata warned of the danger of a permanent member of the Council using force for political control and evoked “dark periods” of foreign interference in Latin America.

The diplomat emphasized that Washington’s military actions also violate the UN Charter, which prohibits armed aggression, threats against the political independence of sovereign states, and prioritizes peaceful resolution.

Zalabata reiterated that citizens pay the price for external economic and geopolitical ambitions. However, she expressed concern about the potential massive influx of migrants escaping from U.S. attacks and added that Colombia has adopted preventive measures at its borders.

The facts, likely well known to readers of the Latin America Daily Briefing, bear repeating on Saturday morning the United States bombed several military locations around Caracas and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his partner, Cilia Flores. They are currently in New York where they were indicted in a federal court on charges that include narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of machine guns.

The latest information is that eighty people were killed in “‘Operation Absolute Resolve,” none of them U.S. forces. Cuban state media reported that 32 Cubans, among them members of the armed forces on a mission at the request of Venezuela, were also killed in the attacks. Venezuela’s military accused U.S. forces of killing members of Maduro’s security detail “in cold blood,” reports the Miami Herald.

The New York Times characterizes it as “the riskiest U.S. military operation of its kind” since the Navy killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.

VENEZUELA:

After initial confusion, it appears that the Chavista cupula, led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, remain in power and in control of Venezuela’s armed forces. U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on Saturday that the U.S. will run Venezuela — “we will run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.)

But this appears to be aimed at coercing the remaining leadership, rather than a direct invasion, now. Trump said Rodriguez might pay a bigger price than Maduro “if she doesn’t do what’s right.” U.S. Defense Department officials said there were no U.S. military personnel in the country, but that there are 15,000 troops in the area.

The US will keep a “quarantine” around Venezuela to block the entry and exit of oil tankers under American sanctions to sustain “leverage” over Maduro’s successor, said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “We are going to make our assessment on the basis of what they do, not what they say publicly.”

Rodríguez shows progress in responding to the Trump administration’s demands. He also said the U.S. would keep striking boats suspected of carrying drugs, reports the New York Times.

“People in Washington tend to think there’s no other political motivation, no ideological motivation, or that there’s nothing left of the Chávez project,” Phil Gunson, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group told NYT. “I don’t think that’s true. They still see themselves as leading a revolution. They can’t afford to be seen to be turning Venezuela into a simple satellite of the U.S.”

Donroe Doctrine

The U.S. incursion into Venezuela and forced rendition of Maduro is a paradigm shift for Latin American international relations — but the line in the sand had already shifted in recent months with the summary execution of alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. “The so-called Donroe doctrine operates openly as a disciplinary regime – transactional, punitive, unadorned – which is perfectly aligned with the hemisphere’s political shifts,” I wrote in a recent Guardian op-ed.

“One of the administration’s most powerful tools has been the expansion of exceptions, zones where ordinary rules no longer apply. Migrants were the first category, stripped of legal protections. … Every exception carves a new normal.” 

Indeed, yesterday Trump told journalists that Colombia was being “run by a sick man” and accused President Gustavo Petro of producing and selling cocaine to the US, adding: “He’s not going to be doing it very long.” In response to a media query on whether there will be a US operation in Colombia, Trump says: “It sounds good to me.”

He also suggested that Cuba could be a target: “I think Cuba is going to be something we’ll end up talking about, because Cuba is a failing nation,” he told reporters.

US. Border Policy and Immigration Agreements

The federal government is also advancing new agreements with Caribbean and Central American nations to relocate asylum seekers processed in the United States. Supporters of the policy argue it reduces pressure at the southern border, while critics say it shifts responsibility without ensuring adequate protection for migrants.

Faith-based organizations and shelters across the country report an increase in families seeking refuge and assistance. Religious leaders are urging compassion, emphasizing the human cost of aggressive enforcement policies.

Mexico Reacts

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, issued a strong statement rejecting foreign intervention in Venezuela and reaffirming Mexico’s long-standing policy of non-intervention. Mexican officials stressed that democracy and stability cannot be imposed through military force.

Despite diplomatic tensions, Mexico continues cooperation with the United States on migration management and border security, while reiterating its demand for respect of national sovereignty and international law.

Latin America: Regional Outlook

Across Latin America, governments are closely watching the Venezuela situation, concerned about its implications for regional stability. Several nations are preparing for major elections in 2026, with debates centered on economic inequality, security, and relations with the United States.

Economic challenges persist across the region, including inflation, public debt, and migration pressures. Leaders are calling for stronger regional cooperation to address shared concerns.

Trade and U.S.–Mexico Relations

Economic relations between the United States, Mexico, and Canada remain under scrutiny as discussions continue regarding the future of the USMCA trade agreement. Analysts warn that trade disputes or protectionist measures could impact on jobs, supply chains, and investment throughout North America.

Mexican officials emphasize the importance of stable trade ties while pushing for labor protections and economic development.

Community Response in the U.S.

In response to immigration raids, grassroots organizations are mobilizing legal aid, emergency housing, and community hotlines. Activists say the response reflects solidarity among immigrant communities facing uncertainty and fear.

Educators and healthcare workers are also raising concerns about the psychological impact on children and families affected by enforcement actions.

International News Brief

Elsewhere in the world, diplomatic efforts continue to address ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Global leaders are also preparing for upcoming climate negotiations, as extreme weather events continue to affect millions worldwide.

NUESTRA AMERICA ONLINE RADIO is looking for Volunteers to read the news segments every morning. We need your help just for two-three hours. If you are interested call 574-367-9985.