The Washington Post
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Democracy Skies in Blueness
Saturday’s assault on Venezuela was Washington’s first direct and openly acknowledged military strike in history against a South American government.
A strategic gamble with an unpredictable outcome in a deeply divided region, it dramatically alters the security dynamic across the continent.
A strategic gamble with an unpredictable outcome in a deeply divided region, it dramatically alters the security dynamic across the continent.
In Venezuela raid, the specter of U.S. regime change returns to Latin America
The Maduro raid is a strategic gamble with an unpredictable outcome in a deeply divided region, dramatically altering the security dynamic across South America.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Saturday’s assault on Venezuela was Washington’s first direct and openly acknowledged military strike in history against a South American government.
A strategic gamble with an unpredictable outcome in a deeply divided region, it dramatically alters the security dynamic across the continent.
A strategic gamble with an unpredictable outcome in a deeply divided region, it dramatically alters the security dynamic across the continent.
Saturday’s raid makes good on President Trump’s long-held desire to remove Venezuelan President Maduro, but was done without congressional authorization, is in apparent violation of international law and leaves open questions about Venezuela’s future.
Audacious Maduro raid relied on months of preparation, surprise strike
Under cover of darkness, highly trained Delta Force troops arrived by helicopter and descended into a compound to grab the Venezuelan president and his wife.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Saturday’s raid makes good on President Trump’s long-held desire to remove Venezuelan President Maduro, but was done without congressional authorization, is in apparent violation of international law and leaves open questions about Venezuela’s future.
If boomers and Gen X are puzzled that youngsters are not required to endure the same mastering cursive that they were, they might be even more surprised to hear that some are learning the craft for fun.
Meet the middle-schoolers keeping cursive alive, one swoop at a time
Script is finding new life in after-school clubs where students can learn to loop and swoosh their handwriting.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:00 AM
If boomers and Gen X are puzzled that youngsters are not required to endure the same mastering cursive that they were, they might be even more surprised to hear that some are learning the craft for fun.
President Trump said, in the wake of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s capture, his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, had been sworn in as the country’s interim leader.
Here's what to know about her:
Here's what to know about her:
Live updates: Maduro and his wife arrive in New York hours after U.S. capture in Venezuela
President Donald Trump said the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. raid captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:40 AM
President Trump said, in the wake of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s capture, his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, had been sworn in as the country’s interim leader.
Here's what to know about her:
Here's what to know about her:
In the aftermath of Saturday’s raid to capture Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife in Caracas, top Democrats are accusing Secretary of State Marco Rubio of deliberately misleading Congress.
Trump administration misled Congress before Maduro raid, Democrats say
The attack to seize Venezuela’s president came months after Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers the administration didn’t intend to invade the country.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:20 AM
In the aftermath of Saturday’s raid to capture Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife in Caracas, top Democrats are accusing Secretary of State Marco Rubio of deliberately misleading Congress.
The U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro came after months of planning and launched only when a break in bad weather on granted U.S. aviators a path into the capital, Caracas, according to the Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
Here’s a timeline of the capture:
Here’s a timeline of the capture:
How the military operation to capture Maduro unfolded
Though much remains unknown about the raid, a review of visuals by The Washington Post and an account given by officials identify key moments and locations.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:00 AM
The U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro came after months of planning and launched only when a break in bad weather on granted U.S. aviators a path into the capital, Caracas, according to the Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
Here’s a timeline of the capture:
Here’s a timeline of the capture:
President Trump plans to send U.S. energy giants to Venezuela to rekindle stalled oil production, stabilize the country and cement American energy dominance.
But there are obstacles, industry analysts warn.
But there are obstacles, industry analysts warn.
The big obstacles to Trump’s plan for a Venezuelan oil windfall
It would cost billions to update infrastructure. Will the country be stable long enough for the bet to pay off?
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:40 AM
President Trump plans to send U.S. energy giants to Venezuela to rekindle stalled oil production, stabilize the country and cement American energy dominance.
But there are obstacles, industry analysts warn.
But there are obstacles, industry analysts warn.
In an interview with CBS News, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated that the intervention in Venezuela was not a mission that required congressional approval.
If there are “more extensions,” he said, “we will keep Congress involved.”
If there are “more extensions,” he said, “we will keep Congress involved.”
Live updates: Maduro and his wife arrive in New York hours after U.S. capture in Venezuela
President Donald Trump said the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. raid captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:20 AM
In an interview with CBS News, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated that the intervention in Venezuela was not a mission that required congressional approval.
If there are “more extensions,” he said, “we will keep Congress involved.”
If there are “more extensions,” he said, “we will keep Congress involved.”
Virginia officials reached an agreement with the DOJ in its effort to bar undocumented students from receiving in-state tuition, sparking criticism from advocacy groups and the incoming Democratic state attorney general.
Advocates criticize Virginia deal with DOJ over tuition for undocumented students
The Justice Department said a in-state tuition benefit for undocumented students in Virginia illegally favors them over citizens from other states who wouldn’t qualify for the lower rates.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Virginia officials reached an agreement with the DOJ in its effort to bar undocumented students from receiving in-state tuition, sparking criticism from advocacy groups and the incoming Democratic state attorney general.
About 2,000 people marched in New York City to protest U.S. military action in Venezuela, the ANSWER Coalition, an anti-war group, said in a statement.
“Should Trump escalate the conflict against Venezuela, this movement will go from the thousands to the millions,” the statement said.
“Should Trump escalate the conflict against Venezuela, this movement will go from the thousands to the millions,” the statement said.
Live updates: Maduro and his wife arrive in New York hours after U.S. capture in Venezuela
President Donald Trump said the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. raid captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:40 PM
About 2,000 people marched in New York City to protest U.S. military action in Venezuela, the ANSWER Coalition, an anti-war group, said in a statement.
“Should Trump escalate the conflict against Venezuela, this movement will go from the thousands to the millions,” the statement said.
“Should Trump escalate the conflict against Venezuela, this movement will go from the thousands to the millions,” the statement said.
President Trump said the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Here’s what we know about the administration’s operation in Venezuela so far: https://wapo.st/4qAZ2da
Here’s what we know about the administration’s operation in Venezuela so far: https://wapo.st/4qAZ2da
January 3, 2026 at 11:21 PM
President Trump said the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Here’s what we know about the administration’s operation in Venezuela so far: https://wapo.st/4qAZ2da
Here’s what we know about the administration’s operation in Venezuela so far: https://wapo.st/4qAZ2da
Once a critic of overseas entanglements, President Trump now appears willing to embrace regime change as a tool of American influence, raising questions about whether his “America First” doctrine is being redefined.
Trump’s Venezuela move pushes the limits of ‘America First’
Once a critic of entanglements abroad, Trump now appears willing to embrace regime change as a tool of American influence, risking a backlash from his MAGA base.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Once a critic of overseas entanglements, President Trump now appears willing to embrace regime change as a tool of American influence, raising questions about whether his “America First” doctrine is being redefined.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife could appear in federal court in Manhattan within days to face narcoterrorism charges which, if accepted by a jury, could put them behind bars on American soil for decades.
Maduro, wife to face drug charges, court appearance in coming days
The Venezuelan leader faces a multi-count indictment in New York. International-law experts question his arrest, but that probably will not affect his trial.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife could appear in federal court in Manhattan within days to face narcoterrorism charges which, if accepted by a jury, could put them behind bars on American soil for decades.
China strongly condemned the overnight U.S. strike on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, which came just hours after a Chinese special envoy met with the Venezuelan leader to reaffirm Beijing’s support for the imperiled regime.
China condemns U.S. strike in Venezuela, hours after top diplomat met with Maduro
China, a longtime ally of Venezuela, condemned the U.S. strike and capture of President Nicolás Maduro, which came just hours after a high-level diplomatic meeting.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:35 PM
China strongly condemned the overnight U.S. strike on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, which came just hours after a Chinese special envoy met with the Venezuelan leader to reaffirm Beijing’s support for the imperiled regime.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have landed New York.
A uniformed FBI agent as well as several individuals with DEA, FBI and HSI uniforms were seen near the aircraft carrying the couple.
A uniformed FBI agent as well as several individuals with DEA, FBI and HSI uniforms were seen near the aircraft carrying the couple.
Live updates: Trump says U.S. will run Venezuela, won’t rule out U.S. boots on the ground
President Donald Trump said the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. raid captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have landed New York.
A uniformed FBI agent as well as several individuals with DEA, FBI and HSI uniforms were seen near the aircraft carrying the couple.
A uniformed FBI agent as well as several individuals with DEA, FBI and HSI uniforms were seen near the aircraft carrying the couple.
The first full moon of 2026 is also a supermoon.
It will remain greater than 98 percent totality through Sunday, continuing to appear full for the entire weekend.
It will remain greater than 98 percent totality through Sunday, continuing to appear full for the entire weekend.
Look up tonight to see the first full moon of the year
The January supermoon reaches 100 percent full at 5:03 a.m. Eastern on Saturday morning, but will look full throughout the weekend.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:00 PM
The first full moon of 2026 is also a supermoon.
It will remain greater than 98 percent totality through Sunday, continuing to appear full for the entire weekend.
It will remain greater than 98 percent totality through Sunday, continuing to appear full for the entire weekend.
Reposted by The Washington Post
LITERALLY NO VENEZUELAN ASKED for President Nicolás Maduro to be removed and opposition leader María Corina Machado ("very nice woman” who lacks “support” and “respect”) sidelined so the Trump administration could "run" Venezuela through Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's vice president
wapo.st/44Tce4Q
wapo.st/44Tce4Q
Trump says Maduro’s VP is cooperating. She’s demanding Maduro’s release.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. would run Venezuela. Delcy Rodríguez, Nicolás Maduro’s vice president, denounced his “illegal kidnapping” as “shameful.”
wapo.st
January 3, 2026 at 9:25 PM
LITERALLY NO VENEZUELAN ASKED for President Nicolás Maduro to be removed and opposition leader María Corina Machado ("very nice woman” who lacks “support” and “respect”) sidelined so the Trump administration could "run" Venezuela through Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's vice president
wapo.st/44Tce4Q
wapo.st/44Tce4Q
The Postal Service is no longer guaranteeing when it will postmark mail, which could jeopardize some ballots that arrive after Election Day.
Read more: https://wapo.st/4qDyVm1
Read more: https://wapo.st/4qDyVm1
January 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The Postal Service is no longer guaranteeing when it will postmark mail, which could jeopardize some ballots that arrive after Election Day.
Read more: https://wapo.st/4qDyVm1
Read more: https://wapo.st/4qDyVm1
Trump told reporters that Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has condemned the recent U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, needs to “watch his ass."
Follow more of the latest updates: https://wapo.st/3Ld1XtG
Follow more of the latest updates: https://wapo.st/3Ld1XtG
Live updates: Trump says U.S. will ‘run’ Venezuela, won’t rule out U.S. boots on the ground
President Donald Trump said the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. raid captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
wapo.st
January 3, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Trump told reporters that Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has condemned the recent U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, needs to “watch his ass."
Follow more of the latest updates: https://wapo.st/3Ld1XtG
Follow more of the latest updates: https://wapo.st/3Ld1XtG
According to the flight-tracking site FlightAware, more than 700 flights traveling through U.S. airports had been canceled by noon Saturday.
Puerto Rico’s main airport canceled nearly half its flights Saturday. https://wapo.st/4jIe9Q5
Puerto Rico’s main airport canceled nearly half its flights Saturday. https://wapo.st/4jIe9Q5
Travelers stranded in Caribbean as FAA closes airspace for Maduro capture
Puerto Rico’s main airport canceled nearly half its flights Saturday, and U.S. airlines waived change fees for passengers around the Caribbean.
wapo.st
January 3, 2026 at 8:15 PM
According to the flight-tracking site FlightAware, more than 700 flights traveling through U.S. airports had been canceled by noon Saturday.
Puerto Rico’s main airport canceled nearly half its flights Saturday. https://wapo.st/4jIe9Q5
Puerto Rico’s main airport canceled nearly half its flights Saturday. https://wapo.st/4jIe9Q5
Swiss authorities announced a criminal investigation against the two operators of the bar where a ferocious fire broke out during a New Year’s celebration, killing 40 people and injuring 119 others, many critically.
https://wapo.st/49pSFmc
https://wapo.st/49pSFmc
Police accuse Swiss bar operators of negligent homicide in deadly fire
Police initiated a criminal case over the inferno, which killed 40 and injured 119, and said they were focused on champagne sparklers, venue capacity and building materials.
wapo.st
January 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Swiss authorities announced a criminal investigation against the two operators of the bar where a ferocious fire broke out during a New Year’s celebration, killing 40 people and injuring 119 others, many critically.
https://wapo.st/49pSFmc
https://wapo.st/49pSFmc
The United States plans to administer Venezuela for an extended period of time as it rebuilds the country’s oil industry, President Donald Trump said Saturday, holding open the door to an extended occupation of a nearby nation.
🧵 Here’s the latest: wapo.st/3NsHBx5
🧵 Here’s the latest: wapo.st/3NsHBx5
January 3, 2026 at 7:46 PM
The United States plans to administer Venezuela for an extended period of time as it rebuilds the country’s oil industry, President Donald Trump said Saturday, holding open the door to an extended occupation of a nearby nation.
🧵 Here’s the latest: wapo.st/3NsHBx5
🧵 Here’s the latest: wapo.st/3NsHBx5
Reposted by The Washington Post
They’ve got Twitter up on the big screens in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago makeshift “situation room.”
Photos from Trump’s Truth Social account.
Photos from Trump’s Truth Social account.
January 3, 2026 at 6:13 PM
They’ve got Twitter up on the big screens in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago makeshift “situation room.”
Photos from Trump’s Truth Social account.
Photos from Trump’s Truth Social account.
Reposted by The Washington Post
New year, same deal:
Your tips about all things ongoing on the U.S. defense beat appreciated on Signal at dan.lamothe30
Or reach out through email at Dan.Lamothe (at) washpost.com and we can take it from there.
Please and thank you.
Your tips about all things ongoing on the U.S. defense beat appreciated on Signal at dan.lamothe30
Or reach out through email at Dan.Lamothe (at) washpost.com and we can take it from there.
Please and thank you.
washpost.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:17 PM
New year, same deal:
Your tips about all things ongoing on the U.S. defense beat appreciated on Signal at dan.lamothe30
Or reach out through email at Dan.Lamothe (at) washpost.com and we can take it from there.
Please and thank you.
Your tips about all things ongoing on the U.S. defense beat appreciated on Signal at dan.lamothe30
Or reach out through email at Dan.Lamothe (at) washpost.com and we can take it from there.
Please and thank you.
In 1976, the government of oil-rich Venezuela assumed control of the country’s petroleum industry, nationalizing hundreds of private businesses and foreign-owned assets, including projects operated by the American giant ExxonMobil.
Read more on the history: https://wapo.st/48URPxi
Read more on the history: https://wapo.st/48URPxi
Trump says Venezuela stole U.S. oil, land and assets. Here’s the history.
The government of the oil-rich nation took control of its petroleum industry in 1976, nationalizing hundreds of private businesses and foreign-owned assets.
wapo.st
January 3, 2026 at 7:30 PM
In 1976, the government of oil-rich Venezuela assumed control of the country’s petroleum industry, nationalizing hundreds of private businesses and foreign-owned assets, including projects operated by the American giant ExxonMobil.
Read more on the history: https://wapo.st/48URPxi
Read more on the history: https://wapo.st/48URPxi