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Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla, stated that digital sovereignty is at the heart of the national transformation agenda with this strategy, launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which will establish a sovereign cloud and ensure the strict enforcement of data laws.

Molla emphasized that these measures guarantee that citizens’ information remains managed and protected.

He also noted that Ethiopia Digital 2030 aims to shift the country from dependence on external platforms to full control over its

own systems.

“This marks the beginning of a five-year journey to consolidate Ethiopia’s status as a leading African technology hub, moving from being a consumer of foreign platforms to becoming the master of our own digital destiny,” he stated.

He emphasized that building a scalable public digital infrastructure is essential to reducing this dependence.

In this regard, he continued, the cornerstone of this effort is the success of the Digital Strategy 2025, including the benefit of the Five Million Ethiopian Coders initiative.

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This information was provided by the television network GloboNews, and the meeting is taking place at the Itamaraty Palace, headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Brasilia, amidst a diplomatic crisis of historic proportions.

The Brazilian move was a direct reaction to the declaration by US President Donald Trump, who announced the execution of a large-scale attack on the South American country that resulted in the possible kidnapping of Maduro.

According to Trump, this action was carried out in conjunction with US security agencies, but without revealing the Venezuelan leader’s whereabouts.

Local media outlets assert that while Brazil is mobilizing diplomatically, the situation in Venezuela is one of absolute uncertainty.

Hours after the Republican’s declaration, Caracas admitted that it did not know Maduro’s whereabouts. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez made an urgent appeal for proof of life for the Venezuelan head of state.

The setting for the meeting in Brazil is atypical. Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira has been officially on vacation since December 21, and Lula remains outside Brasilia, at the Restinga da Marambaia military base in Rio de Janeiro, accompanied by First Lady Janja da Silva.

The official list of ministers who will participate in the emergency meeting has not yet been published.

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The ruling affirms that measures cannot be applied to benefit perpetrators of crimes against humanity.

As a result of the decision, four convicts will return to prison, two will serve full house arrest, and 24 will have their sentences increased, including Miguel Krassnoff, sentenced to more than 1,000 years in prison for torture, kidnapping, murder, and enforced disappearances.

For Beatriz Contreras, head of the National Institute for Human Rights (INDH) in the Metropolitan Region, the Court’s decision is a necessary act of justice for the victims and their families.

“At the National Institute for Human Rights (INDH), we will remain vigilant to ensure that this precedent translates into a permanent practice in our courts, guaranteeing strict respect for international human rights law and its standards,” she stated.

Meanwhile, lawyer Karinna Fernandez considered this a historic step toward true justice.

“The message is clear: Chile’s international obligations have no time or place limits, and no institution can excuse itself from firmly punishing crimes that constitute serious human rights violations,” she declared.

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The President categorically condemns the US aggression against Venezuela, Eismont said this Saturday, recalling that Lukashenko recently spoke about the consequences in an interview with US journalists.

Specifically, he said that “it will be a second Vietnam, and the Americans don’t need it.”

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry also categorically condemned the armed aggression perpetrated on January 3, 2026, against the sovereign state of Venezuela and considered it a direct threat to international peace and security.

The statement added that Minsk expresses its unwavering support for the legitimate government of Venezuela and joins the call for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, which has the primary responsibility for maintaining peace.

The statement emphasizes that the Venezuelan people’s right to independently determine their own destiny is inviolable. “No form of external intervention, especially violent intervention, can be justified,” the ministry stated.

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In statements to the press, the political leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) affirmed that the nation “is completely calm, and what they attempted with the bombs and missiles they launched, they only partially achieved.”

He emphasized that they expected the “people to perhaps act out in a cowardly, uncontrolled manner, but no, cowards are a thing of the past here,” he added.

Cabello called for calm and urged trust in the leadership and the high command of the political and military leadership in the face of the current situation, stressing the need for “great calm.”

“Let no one succumb to despair, let no one make things easier for the invading enemy, the terrorist enemy that cowardly attacked us. Let no one make things easy for them,” he emphasized.

He stressed that the people are prepared for any situation or action that attempts to go beyond the cowardly attacks they carried out.

The member of the PSUV Political Bureau stated that the military, police, and our people, in that unity that President Nicolás Maduro called for, “are active and deployed to guarantee the peace and tranquility of the country.”

Venezuela knows it has been attacked, and the people know what they must do, he emphasized.

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The post Cabello assures that Venezuela is calm and has civic-military unity. first appeared on Prensa Latina.

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“These acts constitute international terrorism and affect all of Latin America,” the PCdoB stated in a note sent to Prensa Latina.

Therefore, it added, the defense of Venezuela is urgent.

It called for the unity of the region’s sovereign governments, social movements, and political parties to promote large-scale protests.

It insisted on preventing the escalation of aggression and demanded full respect for the independence of Venezuela and for Maduro.

From various parts of the world, people are condemning the military aggression perpetrated this Saturday by the United States government against Venezuelan territory and its population in civilian and military areas of Caracas, the capital, and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

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The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounces the US military aggression against Venezuela as a blatant violation of the Latin American country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for the UN Security Council’s intervention.

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Among the lawmakers who criticized the aggression were Ruben Gallego (Senator from Arizona), Bernie Sanders (Senator from Vermont), Elizabeth Warren (Senator from Massachusetts), and Tim Kaine (Senator from Virginia). They all labeled the action illegal and a violation of the Constitution, as it lacked legislative permission.

Speaking on this platform, Democratic Senator Brian Schatz emphasized: “We have no vital national interests in Venezuela that justify a war. We should have learned by now not to get involved in another stupid adventure. And he doesn’t even bother to tell the American public what the hell is going on.”

Representative Jim McGovern criticized Trump, saying, “Without congressional authorization and with the vast majority of Americans opposed to military action, Trump has just launched an illegal and unjustified attack against Venezuela.”

“He says we don’t have enough money for healthcare for Americans, but somehow we have unlimited funds for war,” McGovern added.

His colleague in the House of Representatives, Melanie Stansbury, was unequivocal in X: “Let’s be clear: these attacks are illegal. The president has no authority to declare war or undertake large-scale military operations without Congress.”

The New Mexico congresswoman urged that “Congress must act to stop him. Immediately.”

California Congressman Raul Ruiz agreed, stating that “Trump’s war against Venezuela is illegal and endangers American military personnel.” Ruiz, a physician, emphasized in X that “the Constitution requires congressional approval for any military action, and Trump neither sought nor has it.”

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“They are currently bombing Caracas. Alert the whole world: they have attacked Venezuela,” the president wrote on his official Twitter account, while also making an urgent appeal to the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of American States (OAS) to convene an extraordinary meeting.

Petro specified that the attacks were carried out “with missiles,” representing a serious escalation in the region.

The Colombian president urged that “the international legality of the aggression against Venezuela be established” and stated that, given this situation, “the UN Security Council must be convened immediately.”

President Petro called for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council after powerful explosions rocked the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, early Saturday morning.

He also stated that “the Unified Command Post (PMU) is activated in Cúcuta and the operational plan is in place at the border.”

The Venezuelan government, in a statement, denounced the attacks as endangering lives and violating international law enshrined in the UN Charter.

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“We strongly condemn the ongoing military aggression by the #USA against #Venezuela. The bombings and acts of war against Caracas and other locations in the country are cowardly acts against a nation that has not attacked the US or any other country,” the Foreign Minister stated.

The Cuban government strongly condemned the recent air strikes carried out by the United States against Venezuelan territory, calling them an act of state terrorism and a flagrant violation of the South American nation’s sovereignty.

Havana demanded an urgent response from the international community to what it described as a “criminal attack” that threatens the stability of the region and violates the principles of the Zone of Peace proclaimed by Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Our Zone of Peace is being brutally attacked. It is an act of aggression against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America,” the statement emphasized.

Cuba reiterated its unconditional solidarity with Venezuela and reaffirmed its commitment to defending the self-determination of peoples.

Homeland or Death, We Will Win!, the message concludes.

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“Our #ZoneOfPeace is being brutally assaulted. State terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America,” the Cuban president emphasized in a post on the social network X.

Early Saturday morning, loud explosions were heard in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

Shortly afterward, in a statement, the Bolivarian government confirmed the attacks perpetrated by the United States against the territory of the South American nation and called on its population to mobilize against the imperialist aggression.

The incident is generating widespread condemnation of the criminal action by the United States.

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On his social media account, the parliamentary leader echoed Cuba’s condemnation, calling on the international community to reject the military aggression by the United States government against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

“Latin America and the Caribbean is a Zone of Peace,” the president of the Cuban parliament emphasized.

Earlier, President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded an urgent response to the bombings early Saturday morning, calling them an act of state terrorism and a flagrant violation of the South American nation’s sovereignty.

Havana demanded an urgent response from the international community to what it described as a “criminal attack” that threatens the stability of the region and violates the principles of the Zone of Peace proclaimed by Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Our Zone of Peace is being brutally assaulted. It is an act of aggression against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America,” the statement emphasized.

Cuba reiterated its unconditional solidarity with Venezuela and reaffirmed its commitment to defending the self-determination of peoples. “Homeland or Death, We Will Win!” the message declared.

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The post Cuban Parliament condemns US aggression against Venezuela first appeared on Prensa Latina.

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In the early hours of Saturday, January 3, blackouts, aircraft noise, and heavy explosions were heard throughout Caracas and in several other regions of Venezuela. In a statement released around 3 a.m., the Venezuelan government confirmed that the US government launched military strikes in Caracas, La Guaira, and Aragua state. After several hours of uncertainty and following US announcements, the kidnapping of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was confirmed.

The Venezuelan statement, besides confirming the US military aggression, also informed the public that Venezuela is prepared to repel any further attacks. However, no anti-aircraft artillery was seen during the US military strikes over Caracas.

In the communique, the government also announced that President Maduro signed a state of foreign commotion emergency decree. The government had previously stated it would implement this decree immediately should the US government act on its military threats. This measure will allow Venezuela to respond more efficiently to both internal and external aggression.

US imperialism and the struggle for oil
Since last August, US imperialism has been threatening military attacks against Venezuela under the excuse of a new “war on drugs.” However, recent statements show that the main reasons behind these threats—along with an unprecedented US military deployment of more than 18,000 troops off the coast of Venezuela—are regime change and control over Venezuelan oil.

From the headquarters of Orinoco Tribune in south downtown Caracas, no strikes were visible, including around the Miraflores Presidential Palace. However, explosions and unfamiliar aircraft noises were heard for about 45 minutes, ending around 2:50 a.m. The aircraft sounds were not similar to the ordinary helicopter or fighter jet sounds familiar to those in Venezuela.

Social media posts showed videos of explosions at the Fuerte Tiuna military complex in Caracas, in areas reported by mainstream media in recent months as secure presidential locations. This indicates an attempted decapitation strike against President Maduro. Strikes at the La Carlota military base in Caracas were also clearly covered in social media posts. Several areas of Caracas remain without electric power after several hours, though most of the city does not report electricity cuts.

The following is an unofficial translation of the Venezuelan government statement:

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and population in the civilian and military localities of the city of Caracas, capital of the republic, and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

This act constitutes a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, especially Articles 1 and 2, which enshrine respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of states, and the prohibition of the use of force. Such aggression threatens international peace and stability, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean, and puts the lives of millions of people at serious risk.

The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, in an attempt to forcibly break the nation’s political independence. They will not succeed. After more than 200 years of independence, the people and their legitimate government remain steadfast in defending their sovereignty and their inalienable right to decide their own destiny. The attempt to impose a colonial war to destroy the republican form of government and force a “regime change,” in alliance with the fascist oligarchy, will fail like all previous attempts.

Since 1811, Venezuela has confronted and defeated empires. When foreign powers bombarded our coasts in 1902, President Cipriano Castro proclaimed: “The insolent foot of the foreigner has profaned the sacred soil of the Fatherland.” Today, with the spirit of Bolívar, Miranda, and our liberators, the Venezuelan people rise again to defend their independence in the face of imperial aggression.

People to the streets!

The Bolivarian government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack. The people of Venezuela and their Bolivarian National Armed Forces, in perfect popular-military-police fusion, are deployed to guarantee sovereignty and peace. Simultaneously, Bolivarian Peace Diplomacy will file the corresponding complaints with the UN Security Council, the secretary-general of that organization, CELAC, and NAM, demanding the condemnation and accountability of the US government.

President Nicolás Maduro has ordered that all national defense plans be implemented at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances, in strict accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Organic Law on States of Emergency, and the Organic Law on National Security.

In this regard, President Nicolás Maduro has signed and ordered the implementation of the decree declaring a state of external commotion throughout the national territory in order to protect the rights of the population, the full functioning of republican institutions, and to immediately move to armed struggle. The entire country must mobilize to defeat this imperialist aggression.

Similarly, he has ordered the immediate deployment of the Command for the Comprehensive Defense of the Nation and the Comprehensive Defense Management Bodies in all states and municipalities of the country. In accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, Venezuela reserves the right to exercise legitimate defense to protect its people, its territory, and its independence.

As Supreme Commander Hugo Chávez Frías pointed out, “in the face of any new difficulties, whatever their magnitude, the response of all patriots… is unity, struggle, battle and victory.”

— Caracas, January 3, 2026

Kidnapping of President Maduro and the line of succession
Around 5 a.m., the US ruler, Donald Trump, claimed on social media that President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been kidnapped. Initial impressions from analysts suggested this might be a disinformation maneuver intended to materialize the assassination of President Maduro. This appeared to be supported by a press conference held by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, where no reference to a kidnapping was made.

US Launches Criminal Airstrikes on Venezuela—Statement by the Venezuelan Government

However, around 5:30 a.m., Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, the second-highest official in the line of succession, appeared in a broadcast on public television. She demanded “proof of life” from the US regime for President Maduro and his wife, thereby confirming the kidnapping of the constitutional president of Venezuela.

Many analysts have asserted over the last several months of US aggression that a decapitation strike or the absence of President Maduro would represent a significant loss, but would not topple the Bolivarian Revolution or Chavismo. Under the current circumstances, Delcy Rodríguez is serving as the acting president of Venezuela.

Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff

OT/JRE/JB

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Early Saturday morning, military zones in the city of Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira were attacked by the United States, according to a statement.

“This act constitutes a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, especially Articles 1 and 2, which enshrine respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of states, and the prohibition of the use of force,” the statement indicated.

The statement noted that such aggression threatens international peace and stability, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean, and seriously endangers the lives of millions of people.

It denounced that the objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, attempting to forcibly break the nation’s political independence. “They will not succeed.”

The Bolivarian Government called on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and condemn this imperialist attack.

It affirmed that the people of Venezuela and their Bolivarian National Armed Forces, in perfect popular-military-police unity, are deployed to guarantee sovereignty and peace.

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The National Association of Friendship between Italy and Cuba (Anaic) issued a statement declaring that “after months of lies and provocations, extrajudicial killings and acts of piracy, tonight Trumpist beasts bombed Venezuela.” “Stop this aggression immediately.

The United Nations and its Security Council must intervene immediately to prevent brutal and petty US imperialism from attacking and robbing a sovereign country and plunging the world into World War III,” the statement reads.

The National Association of Ibero-American States (ANAIC) called for “maximum mobilization to show our full solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their legitimate representative, President Nicolas Maduro Moro,” and concluded its call with the slogan “Hands off Bolivarian Venezuela!”

Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated in a message posted on social media that “I am following the situation of our diplomatic mission in Caracas, with special attention to the Italian community.”

“Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is constantly informed,” Tajani assured, specifying that the Foreign Ministry’s crisis unit is operational, monitoring the course of events in that nation, where some 160,000 Italian citizens are currently located.

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Speaking to the multinational network Telesur, Rodriguez demanded proof of life from Washington for the president and the first lady, Cilia Flores.

The vice president asserted that Maduro had anticipated the possibility of a US attack, knowing what the current administration, headed by Donald Trump, is capable of.

The Venezuelan government denounced the attack on military and civilian sites in Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

Trump confirmed a large-scale attack and claimed that President Maduro and Flores had been “captured and left the country.”

Condemnations of the US attack have poured in from around the world.

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In a special address, the Minister informed the country and the world about what he described as “the most criminal military aggression” by the United States government.

Padrino Lopez detailed that, during the early hours of this morning, invading US forces violated Venezuelan sovereign airspace.

The attacks, he explained, were concentrated in the town of Fuerte Tiuna, in Caracas, and in strategic points in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

In his speech, Padrino Lopez stated that enemy combat helicopters fired missiles and rockets that struck residential areas with civilian populations, and a preliminary tally of fatalities and injuries is already being compiled.

In response to these events, the Venezuelan military high command lodged the strongest protest with all international multilateral organizations.

The Minister of Defense directly accused the U.S. government (the administration of Donald Trump) of committing a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and International Law, jeopardizing the stability of the entire region.

“A free and independent Venezuela, and I reiterate that the homeland is a supreme value. They have attacked us, but they will not break us,” concluded Padrino Lopez.

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The post Venezuelan Defense Minister Activates State of Emergency first appeared on Prensa Latina.

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Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife have been captured by the US armed forces, US President Donald Trump claims.

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The Network of Intellectuals, Artists and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity (REDH) issued a statement on Saturday condemning what it described as a military attack carried out by the government of the United States against the territory and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the early hours of January 3, 2026.

RELATED:

Venezuela Accuses U.S. of Military Aggression, Declares Emergency

In its communiqué, REDH characterized the alleged strike on Venezuelan territory and civilian population as an act of aggression against a sovereign state, which it said constitutes a violation of the United Nations Charter and represents a threat to international peace. The organization framed the incident not only as an attack on Venezuela, but as an assault on the principle of national self-determination, warning of the precedent it could set for armed intervention against sovereign nations.

According to REDH, the offensive is aimed at undermining Venezuela’s political independence and gaining control over what it described as the country’s strategic resources. The network denounced what it called an attempt to impose a change of government through military means, asserting that such actions seek to subordinate Venezuela to external interests.

#COMUNICADO | La Red de Intelectuales y Artistas en Defensa de la Humanidad condena agresión militar del Gobierno de Estados Unidos contra Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/nlCcFk8bSg

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) January 3, 2026

The statement reaffirmed confidence in the capacity of the Venezuelan people to defend their sovereignty, invoking the country’s historical experience of resistance from the independence struggles of the nineteenth century through later confrontations with foreign pressure.

The organization expressed support for the Venezuelan government’s call for popular mobilization and for the participation of social forces in rejecting the attack. It also backed the involvement of the Bolivarian National Armed Force and endorsed the declaration of a state of External Commotion, which it described as a legitimate measure to protect the population, preserve institutions and organize national defense.

REDH further stated that Venezuela has the right to exercise self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter in response to what it considers an armed attack. The network called on peoples, intellectual and artistic communities, social movements and governments in Latin America, the Caribbean and other regions to mobilize in solidarity with Venezuela. It urged international protest, critical debate and political pressure to halt what it described as a broader threat to the sovereignty of nations.

Concluding its statement, REDH cited former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, recalling his words that “ante las dificultades, por grandes que sean, la respuesta debe ser unidad, lucha, batalla y victoria,” presenting this as a guiding principle for its current stance.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

The Venezuelan government on Friday accused the United States of carrying out military attacks against civilian and military locations in Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, denouncing the actions as a serious violation of international law and announcing nationwide emergency measures.

RELATED:

Venezuela Reaffirms its Solidarity with Iran in the Face of US Interventionist Actions

In an official communiqué issued in Caracas, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela said it “rejects, repudiates and denounces before the international community the grave military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and population.” The statement said the attacks violate Articles 1 and 2 of the United Nations Charter, which establish respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of states and the prohibition of the use of force.

According to the government, the strikes targeted both civilian and military sites in the capital and surrounding regions, threatening peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean and placing “the lives of millions of people” at risk.

#COMUNICADO | La República Bolivariana de #Venezuela🇻🇪 rechaza, repudia y denuncia ante la comunidad internacional la gravísima agresión militar perpetrada por el Gobierno actual de los Estados Unidos de América contra territorio y población venezolanos en las localidades civiles… pic.twitter.com/x316Fzme5K

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) January 3, 2026

The communiqué asserted that the objective of the operation is to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly oil and minerals, and to undermine the country’s political independence. It described the incident as part of an attempt to impose a foreign-driven “regime change,” which the government said would fail.

The government called on all social and political forces to activate mobilization plans and reject the imperialist attack. It said the Bolivarian National Armed Forces are deployed alongside civilian and police structures to guarantee sovereignty and public order.

At the diplomatic level, Venezuela announced it will submit formal complaints to the United Nations Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), seeking condemnation and accountability from the United States.

#BREAKINGNEWS | Venezuela rejects U.S. attack on national territory pic.twitter.com/Jc2dCxSzD6

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) January 3, 2026

President Nicolás Maduro ordered the activation of national defense plans in accordance with the Constitution, the Organic Law on States of Exception and the Organic Law of National Security. The communiqué said Maduro signed a decree declaring a nationwide state of “External Commotion” to protect the population’s rights, ensure the functioning of state institutions and prepare for armed defense.

Authorities also ordered the immediate deployment of the Comprehensive Defense Command of the Nation and corresponding defense bodies across all states and municipalities. Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, Venezuela said it reserves the right to exercise legitimate self-defense to protect its people, territory and independence.

The statement concluded with a call for international solidarity and quoted former president Hugo Chávez: “In the face of any circumstance of new difficulties, of whatever size they may be, the response of all patriots is unity, struggle, battle and victory.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Amid reports of explosions in the vicinity of Caracas, the governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) has released a statement confirming that the US has launched missile strikes against Venezuela.

The strikes appear to be concentrated on military targets. The Fort Tiuna military base in Caracas and the port of La Guaira, outside of Caracas, are among the targets that have been hit. The PSUV statement indicates that the Venezuelan states of Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua were targeted by the US.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a statement prohibiting US aircraft from operating within Venezuelan airspace as of 1 a.m. on January 3. Shortly thereafter, the military campaign began.

Via a statement shared on government outlets, the PSUV confirms that the strikes were carried out by the US military against sovereign Venezuelan territory. The PSUV notes that the strikes constitute a violation of international law and that the Venezuelan government will not bow to these criminal efforts at “regime”-change.

Below is an unofficial translation of the satement:

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, repudiates and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and population in the civilian and military localities of the city of Caracas, capital of the Republic, and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. This act constitutes a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, especially Articles 1 and 2, which enshrine respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of States and the prohibition of the use of force. Such aggression threatens international peace and stability, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean, and puts the lives of millions of people at serious risk.

The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, in an attempt to forcibly break the nation’s political independence. They will not succeed. After more than two hundred years of independence, the people and their legitimate government remain steadfast in defending their sovereignty and their inalienable right to decide their own destiny. The attempt to impose a colonial war to destroy the republican form of government and force a ‘regime change’, in alliance with the fascist oligarchy, will fail like all previous attempts.

Since 1811, Venezuela has confronted and defeated empires. When foreign powers bombarded our coasts in 1902, President Cipriano Castro proclaimed: ‘The insolent foot of the foreigner has profaned the sacred soil of the Fatherland.’ Today, with the spirit of Bolívar, Miranda and our liberators, the Venezuelan people rise again to defend their independence in the face of imperial aggression.

People to the streets!

The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack. The people of Venezuela and their Bolivarian National Armed Forces, in perfect popular-military-police fusion, are deployed to guarantee sovereignty and peace. Simultaneously, Bolivarian Peace Diplomacy will file the corresponding complaints with the UN Security Council, the Secretary-General of that organisation, CELAC, and NAM demanding the condemnation and accountability of the US government.

President Nicolás Maduro has ordered that all national defence plans be implemented at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances, in strict accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Organic Law on States of Emergency, and the Organic Law on National Security.

In this regard, President Nicolás Maduro has signed and ordered the implementation of the Decree declaring a state of external commotion throughout the national territory in order to protect the rights of the population, the full functioning of republican institutions, and to immediately move to armed struggle. The entire country must mobilize to defeat this imperialist aggression.

Similarly, he has ordered the immediate deployment of the Command for the Comprehensive Defence of the Nation and the Comprehensive Defence Management Bodies in all states and municipalities of the country.

In strict accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, Venezuela reserves the right to exercise legitimate defence to protect its people, its territory, and its independence. We call on the peoples and governments of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world to mobilize in active solidarity against this imperial aggression.

As Supreme Commander Hugo Chávez Frías pointed out, “in the face of any new difficulties, whatever their magnitude, the response of all patriots… is unity, struggle, battle and victory.”

-Caracas, January 3, 2025

Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff

SL

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At least seven explosions have rocked Venezuela’s Caracas, while low-flying aircraft have been heard in the city’s sky.

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At least two people were killed and 12 others injured after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southwestern Mexican state of Guerrero on Friday morning, authorities confirmed.

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President Claudia Sheinbaum evacuates the National Palace after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Mexico

Mexico’s National Seismological Service (SSN) classified the quake as “severe” and reported its epicenter in the municipality of San Marcos, in Guerrero’s Costa Chica region. The tremor was felt strongly in Mexico City and across several central and southern states. By 5:00 p.m. local time on Friday, January 2, the SSN had registered 816 aftershocks, the strongest reaching magnitude 4.7.

In Mexico City’s Benito Juárez borough, officials confirmed the death of a 60-year-old man. According to an official statement, “during the evacuation due to the earthquake registered this morning, the man left his second-floor apartment, tripped and lost consciousness.” Emergency assistance was requested by building security personnel, and paramedics from the Medical Emergency Regulatory Center (CRUM) responded, “carried out the corresponding examinations and reported that the person no longer showed vital signs.”

✔️ Dos muertos y una docena de fallecidos, por el terremoto que sacudió México este viernes. El sismo tuvo una magnitud de 6.5 en la escala de Richter.

Síguenos, somos el Canal Cubano de Noticias 👌

— Canal Caribe (@CanalCaribeCuba) January 3, 2026

A second fatality occurred in the community of Las Minas, San Marcos, Guerrero. Municipal authorities reported that an adult woman died when “part of the sheet-metal roof of her home fell on her as she tried to leave the building.”

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said that after the seismic response protocol was activated, authorities recorded 12 injured people, the collapse of five utility poles and several trees, and 18 reports of power outages. Two structures are under evaluation due to collapse risk, while 34 buildings and five houses are undergoing preventive inspections.

In San Marcos, Guerrero, more than 350 homes made of adobe and cement suffered varying degrees of damage, and four people were reported injured. Minor landslides were also reported along the Acapulco–Pinotepa Nacional federal highway near the town of La Caridad.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico on Friday, killing at least two people.

President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first news conference of the year was briefly disrupted, forcing journalists to evacuate the building. She resumed the press conference shortly afterward pic.twitter.com/3EboxE0MYI

— TRT World (@trtworld) January 3, 2026

At the state level, Civil Protection authorities reported the detachment of part of a hillside near Azinyahualco, in Chilpancingo. In Acapulco, emergency services responded to reports of LP gas leaks, minor structural damage and road landslides.

The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) activated its emergency response system and reported that by 10:30 a.m. local time (16:30 GMT), 75.93 percent of electricity service had been restored in Guerrero, Mexico City and the State of Mexico. The utility stated that “no damage has been identified in the infrastructure of generating plants” and deployed 354 electrical workers, 79 cranes and 138 vehicles to complete full service restoration.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Caracas, January 3, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The United States has launched a military attack against Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday.

Multiple military sites, including Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas, were reported bombed. Social media users reported low flying aircraft and active air defenses.

Unconfirmed videos on social media also showed helicopters flying over the Venezuelan capital, with military analysts claiming that US Special Forces are deployed.

The Trump administration has escalated regime-change threats against Caracas im recent months and vowed to strike land targets.

[Story in development]

The post [BREAKING] US Launches Attack Against Venezuela appeared first on Venezuelanalysis.

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On Friday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro received Qiu Xiaoqi, the special envoy for Latin American and Caribbean affairs for Chinese President Xi Jinping, at Miraflores Palace in Caracas. The high-level meeting took place amid the US escalation of aggression against Venezuela following the recent illegal seizure of oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude oil, some of which were destined for China, as indicated by news reports.

A public television broadcast showed President Maduro welcoming the Chinese delegation alongside Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and Foreign Minister Yván Gil. The meeting served to review over 600 existing agreements that consolidate the economic and political alliance between the two nations. Analysts suggest the dialogue also allowed the leaders to strategize against US military aggression and the recently announced naval blockade of Venezuela.

Strategic partnership and brotherly support
During the encounter, President Maduro expressed his gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping “for his brotherly support as an older brother” and acknowledged his “powerful message as a leader to the world.” Qiu reiterated that China and Venezuela are proven strategic partners, emphasizing that Venezuela represents a significant opportunity for China.

China has repeatedly condemned the US air and naval aggression launched near Venezuelan waters in the Caribbean since August. Beijing has accused the US of violating international law by seizing the two tankers.

Diplomatic resistance to imperialist aggression
Foreign Minister Gil recently held a telephone call with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to conduct a joint assessment of the threats and US imperialist aggression against Venezuela. In a statement, Gil noted that the risks of such actions also loom over other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“In this context, China expressed its solidarity and firm support for Venezuela in defending its sovereignty, independence, and stability, as well as its support for regional unity and respect for international law,” Gil explained.

Furthering this stance, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian declared at a December 22 press conference that China “systematically opposes illegal unilateral sanctions which—according to most legal experts—lack any basis in international law and are not authorized by the United Nations Security Council.”

“Venezuela has the right to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries independently,” Lin added, noting that the international community supports Venezuela’s position in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.

Strengthening the Caracas-Beijing alliance
The visiting Chinese delegation included several high-ranking officials: Liu Bo, the director of the Latin America and Caribbean department of the Foreign Ministry; Wang Hao, the deputy director of that department; Liu Xen, the attaché for the region; and Lan Hu, the ambassador in Caracas.

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Qiu Xiaoqi, the envoy leading the group, is a career diplomat born in 1956 who previously served as ambassador to Bolivia, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico. Since 2021, he has worked to strengthen strategic relations as the special envoy for the region, having visited Venezuela multiple times in recent years.

According to Venezuela’s Presidential Press, this meeting reaffirms the “unbreakable nature of the brotherhood” between Caracas and Beijing. In a geopolitical context defined by resistance to unilateral coercive measures, the arrival of this delegation underscores the importance China attaches to Venezuela as a trade partner, an energy provider, and a key political ally in the pursuit of sovereign development for the peoples of the Global South.

Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff

OT/JRE/SF

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