U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday (May 23, 2026) a deal with Iran had been “largely negotiated,” with the proposal including opening the crucial Strait of Hormuz, though the agreement was “subject to finalisation.” “An Agreement has been largely negotiated
A person who approached a White House security checkpoint and began firing at officers has died, according to federal officials. The U.S. Secret Service said in a statement late on Saturday (May 23, 2026) that, according to a preliminary investigation
After spending 35 years at , consumer chief marketing officer is preparing to leave the company following the end of its next fiscal year, according to an internal memo as reported by Business Insider.Mehdi told employees he would remain at Microsoft until June 2027 to support the company
Pakistani woman says corporate culture makes employees feel guilty for taking leave: ‘Rest needs justification’A Pakistani woman said corporate jobs made employees feel guilty for taking paid leaves they were allowed to use. Published on: May 24
This crunchy veggie rice paper pancake is the perfect quick-fix snack for sudden hunger cravings at home: Full recipeFrom crispy edges to flavour-packed bites, try this veggie rice paper pancake recipe for an ultimate comfort snack for lazy evenings. Updated on: May 24
Amazon techie earning ₹11 lakh/month has 1 house in US, 4 properties in India, Range Rover — but no emergency fundAn Amazon employee earning close to $300,000 feels financially insecure despite significant savings and investments. Published on: May 24
Rare lung transplant at Apollo saves a life; spotlight on India's organ donor shortageRare lung transplant at Apollo saves a life; spotlight on India's organ donor shortage Published on: May 24, 2026 10:33 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, A year ago, every breath felt borrowed
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.These countertop organisers, crockery pick and jars can give your kitchen a Pinteresty spin by keeping the clutter awayTurn your kitchen into a photo-ready space with stylish organisers
Trump’s ’Spear of the South’ sparks regional alarm as Venezuela braces for U.S. moves
Trump’s ’Spear of the South’ sparks regional alarm as Venezuela braces for U.S. moves
Barely hours after U.S. President Donald Trump had signed the bill ending the longest government shutdown on Friday (November 14, 2025), his Secretary of War, Peter Hegseth, fired off a tweet, declaring a new military operation, “Spear of the South”, against “narco-terrorists in the Western hemisphere”. On Sunday (November 16, 2025), the Trump government went a step further as it announced that a Venezuelan criminal group would be classified as a terrorist organisation and that it views President Nicolas Maduro as “the head of that cartel”.
With Mr. Trump back in the White House on Sunday (November 16, 2025) after a weekend at Mar-a-Lago—and Washington still consumed by the uproar over the Epstein files—the decision is seen in the region as a major escalation for a possible strike on Venezuela. Tensions have been rising for weeks, forcing regional powers to state their positions. President Lula of Brazil, speaking at a meeting in Bogota on Sunday (November 16, 2025), pressed other leaders to confront the continued U.S. attacks on boats in the Caribbean. Colombian President Gustavo Petro was more direct as he described Mr. Trump as a leader “intent on intimidation” and called the U.S. military build-up “an unmistakable act of aggression against Latin America”.
President Trump ordered action — and the Department of War is delivering.
Today, I'm announcing Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR.
Led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and @SOUTHCOM, this mission defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secures our…
In recent weeks, the U.S. has moved massive firepower into the Caribbean: more than 15,000 personnel, a dozen warships, the biggest aircraft carrier and a submarine; more than 10 F-35s have also been stationed at Puerto Rico. The political messaging has matched the military build-up. On Sunday (November 16, 2025), U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Mr. Maduro of enabling “terrorist violence” across the hemisphere.
To local observers, the scale of the U.S. deployment — and their rhetoric — looks like the opening act of a regime-change operation in Venezuela. Diego Sequera, a Caracas-based analyst and co-founder of the research group Misión Verdad (Truth Mission), believes that Washington's pressure aims to trigger an internal collapse in Venezuela. “The goal is to generate enough heat to force some kind of breakdown inside the government,” he says. “So far, the pressure has damaged the currency and added to economic strain, but it has not changed the political situation on the ground,” says Mr. Sequera.
If the U.S. wanted to scare Mr. Maduro into a negotiation process, it has not happened. Rafael Duarte Villa, a Venezuelan who teaches international relations at the University of São Paulo, says the pressure has only hardened the government's posture. “Maduro has put his military forces on unprecedented alert. The government, feeling cornered and demonised, has mobilised not just the armed forces but also civilians, grassroots organisations and the militias,” says Mr. Villa. “The expectation that he would step down or flee—perhaps to Russia—is clearly not happening. His grip on power, for now, remains intact.”
Mr. Maduro is also backed by Venezuela's formidable military. Armed with mostly Russian defence platforms, including Su-30 jets, T-72 tanks, S-300 and Buk missiles, Igla-S launchers, and Kalashnikov rifles, the military comprises more than 123,000 active troops, backed by almost 8,000 reservists and thousands of militias who support the government. Some estimates put the total number of soldiers at 300,000. Patricia Marins, a Rio de Janeiro-based defence analyst, says Venezuela fields the most capable military in South America. “No other country in the region has SAMs or anti-ship missiles comparable to Venezuela, but sanctions have left parts of the arsenal without maintenance,” says Ms. Marins. “Russia has shipped some spare parts in recent weeks, but it will be difficult to effectively resist a military attack given the U.S. build-up in the Caribbean.”
But observers believe Washington's real goal may be less about defeating Venezuela militarily and more about reasserting U.S. power in the region. In recent months, the U.S. has repeatedly used the term “narco-terrorism” to pressure governments from Mexico to Colombia and even Brazil. Mr. Diego Sequera argues that the U.S. justification simply does not hold. “One thing is absolutely clear: this is not about fighting drug trafficking. That claim goes against every element of reality,” he says. For him, the ambiguity is intentional. “What began as a confrontation with Venezuela now touches the broader Caribbean, especially with Colombia drawn in and Trinidadian fishermen among those killed at sea,” says Mr. Sequera.
If anything, Washington's posture marks a return of the Monroe Doctrine, now camouflaged in the language of “narco-terrorism” to contain the growing influence of emerging powers such as China and Russia in the hemisphere. Mr. Sequera argues that this is precisely why his country has become a target. “Venezuela is a key player for multipolarity. Its ties with Russia, China, Iran and others make it a symbolic and practical challenge to U.S. dominance,” says the Venezuelan analyst. “Washington's goal is to reassert control over the entire hemisphere.”
Mr. Duarte Villa agrees that the current escalation could be part of a broader effort by Washington to reclaim a lost sphere of influence. “Under Trump, Latin America has returned to the centre of American strategic planning. The echoes of older doctrines are unmistakable. Even when officials now speak of the region as their “neighbourhood” rather than “backyard, the underlying intent is the same: to restore U.S. primacy in a hemisphere where America's grip has visibly weakened,” says Mr. Duarte Villa says.
Despite all the noise and thunder, this situation may be more theatre than strategy—a projection of force at a time when Trump is grappling with political storms in Washington. A full-scale invasion of Venezuela, says Mr. Duarte Villa, would carry risks the Americans cannot control: urban warfare in Caracas, civilian losses, the prospect of U.S. soldiers returning home dead, refugees going into neighbouring countries and a fierce regional backlash. “There could be significant numbers of casualties in a ground invasion of Venezuela. Such losses would demand answers from the administration at home, especially if the operation faltered. For that reason, a major military attack is unlikely,” says the professor.
In a region shaped by old doctrines and new challenges, even the threat of war seems to be a message in itself.
Published - November 17, 2025 10:14 pm IST
USA / Venezuela
Source: The Hindu
Related Posts: Psychologist shares 5 barely noticeable signs of outgrowing a friendship… Bill Maher ‘spits out’ drink as Lara Trump admits ‘Donald Trump is not perfect’ Trump Cancels Biden’s Autopen-Signed Orders Trump declares all Biden autopen-signed documents Trump says he signed ‘global tariff’ after US Supreme Court order striking down levies Gujarat passes bill easing hours How Chelsea signed a star team with hidden payments Yuvraj-signed gift met Broad's fury days after six sixes Taiwanese companies want FTA signed fast with India Landmark India-UK FTA Signed
Indian athletics witnessed a historic evening in Ranchi as Tejaswin Shankar became the first Indian ever to breach the 8000-point barrier in decathlon at the Federation Cup on Saturday. The 27-year-old produced a sensational all-round performance to finish with 8057 points
1 days ago
The Centre released draft rules for the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 for public consultation. The rules focus on governance, grievance redressal, and transitioning from MGNREGA to the new rural employment scheme
1 days ago
The National Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has warned of a sophisticated phishing campaign impersonating Apple tech support to target whose devices have been lost or stolen, officials said on Saturday.The I4C, which functions under the Union Home Ministry
1 days ago
Sachin Tendulkar praised his son Arjun's IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants. Arjun Tendulkar showed patience and skill in his first match. He bowled well and took a wicket. Sachin Tendulkar expressed pride in his son's performance and attitude
1 days ago
White House shooting suspect claimed to be ‘real’ Osama bin Laden, threatened Trump online: ReportOsama bin Laden was the founder and leader of the terror group Al-Qaeda, which was reportedly responsible the 9/11 attacks. Updated on: May 24, 2026 11:02 AM IST By Anita Goswami Share via Copy
1 days ago
May 24, Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for youIf your birthday falls on May 24, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Published on: May 24, 2026 11:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on May 24
1 days ago
George Russell may have delivered the perfect answer to mounting pressure at Mercedes. After a fiery sprint race clash with championship-leading teammate Kimi Antonelli earlier on Saturday, the Briton bounced back in style to grab pole position for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix — edging the
1 days ago
BJP candidate Debangshu Panda is leading significantly in the Falta assembly constituency repoll. After five rounds of counting, Panda has secured a lead of over 14,000 votes against his CPI(M) rival. The repoll followed allegations of EVM tampering and irregularities during the initial polling
1 days ago
The suspect in a shooting near the White House was killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents on Saturday evening, officials have confirmed. BBC's US media partner CBS has named the suspect as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old man who was known to the Secret Service and had a documented
1 days ago
CPI(M) MP raises concerns over CBSE's digital evaluation, seeks interventionCPI(M) MP raises concerns over CBSE's digital evaluation, seeks intervention Published on: May 23, 2026 5:22 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, The Rajya Sabha leader of the CPI, John Brittas
1 days ago
Imagine enjoying a decadent, fudge‑like treat that also supports your hormones, libido, and menstrual rhythm, all while being packed with collagen, magnesium, adaptogens, and lignan‑rich omega‑3s. These Seed Cycling Hormone Bliss Balls are designed around the simple yet powerful practice of
1 days ago
Weekly Love Horoscope for May 24-30, 2026: The stars brings positive energies for these zodiac signsWeekly Love Horoscope for May 24-30, 2026: This week asks for patience, trust, and emotional resilience. Published on: May 24, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries Love feels
1 days ago
Perhaps the fullest realisation of what Mohamed Salah has achieved at Liverpool will only come with time. But as he prepares to say his goodbyes on Sunday, there is plenty to appreciate and admire in the here and now. There are the standards Salah helped to set that emanated through the club in his
1 days ago
From a darkly comic tale of revenge to a beautiful contemplation on friendship, here are the year's most acclaimed works of fiction so far. "Daring, deranged, cleverly written," is how Vogue describes the buzzy debut by Caro Claire Burke. In this satirical thriller
1 days ago
Jaipur real estate: Ashiana Housing has launched the first phase of its 10.35-acre residential project ‘Ashiana Oma’ in Ajmer Road at Mansarovar Extension Ashiana Housing will invest nearly ₹560 crore to develop a residential project in Jaipur
1 days ago
Overnight fires in Delhi: Shops, homes gutted in four blazesA fire department officer was injured after the tin shed of one of the shops he was standing on during the firefighting operation collapsed. Updated on: May 24, 2026 7:37 AM IST By Karn Pratap Singh Share via Copy link Four separate fire
1 days ago
As per the government, the new rules enable families living in Delhi to submit applications if their annual household income is within the newly prescribed limit. New Delhi: The Delhi government has reopened the process of issuing fresh ration cards under changed eligibility criteria after a gap of
1 days ago
The reported disruption of AI-animated film Critterz after OpenAI allegedly shut down Sora has sparked a larger conversation around one major issue in tech and entertainment: what happens when creators build entire projects on platforms they do not control?The reported disruption of AI-animated
1 days ago
Ex-Meta employee says non-Chinese workers were targeted for layoffsA laid-off Meta engineer has alleged that he was routinely excluded and ostracised by his Chinese colleagues at the company. Updated on: May 24, 2026 7:01 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link A laid-off Meta engineer has alleged
1 days ago
Mackenzie Shirilla wanted Kim Kardashian's help; here's why it's not happeningMackenzie Shirilla sought Kim Kardashian's legal support following the release of The Crash documentary, but Kardashian reportedly has no plans to get involved. May 24, 2026
1 days ago
The first scientific survey of fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has recorded 57 individuals, confirming that the species is widely distributed and actively reproducing across the reserve’s floodplains
1 days ago
X warns founder against reuploading White House shooting video: 'Revenue reduced by 90%'Nikita Bier of X warned a user against reuploading the White House shooting video, asking him to ‘Quote’ or ‘Video Reshare’ instead. Updated on: May 24, 2026 6:14 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link
1 days ago
Sonam Wangchuk says Article 371 talks for Ladakh still ‘work in progress’; backs Cockroach Janta PartySonam Wangchuk hoped constitutional safeguards will be granted to Ladakh after recent talks between Ladakh groups and the Centre. Updated on: May 24
1 days ago
Talking about international partnerships, PM Modi said India’s growing ties with global companies and countries would create new opportunities for young people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited candidates during the 19th Rozgar Mela
1 days ago
The Archaeological Survey of India’s circular in December on tourist guides at Red Fort has opened a larger debate: who gets to interpret the past? The circular states that only guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism and endorsed by the Archaeological Survey of India may offer services inside
1 days ago
Dipika Kakar’s father-in-law in ICU after suffering stroke, Shoaib Ibrahim seeks prayers: ‘24 hrs are crucial’Shoaib Ibrahim took to Instagram to inform fans that his father has been hospitalised once again after suffering another stroke. May 24, 2026
1 days ago
Oleksandr Usyk struck lucky to retain his world heavyweight titles in Egypt with a highly controversial 11th-round stoppage win against boxing novice Rico Verhoeven. Verhoeven, in just his second professional boxing fight, was the clear aggressor for long spells
1 days ago
