The US has attacked Venezuela and captured its President Nicolás Maduro, with Donald Trump vowing to "run the country" until there is a "proper" transition of power. While US officials have indicated it was not planning any further military intervention in Venezuela, Trump said "we're not afraid of boots on the ground" in response to a question about deploying US troops there. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, but it is so-called "heavy, sour" oil. This is harder to refine but useful for making diesel and asphalt, while the US typically produces "light, sweet" oil used to make petrol. China's foreign ministry called on the US to release Maduro and his wife "at once" and to "stop toppling the government of Venezuela".

Source: The Star January 04, 2026 18:32 UTC