The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has declared the Class 10 (Matric) results for 2026 today, April 23, and students across the state are now checking their scores. If you’re trying to access your result, the process is actually quite simple — the only tricky part is dealing with slow
BJP candidate Shuvendu Sarkar chased, attacked by TMC workers during voting in Bengal: VideoIn a video, Sarkar is seen running through a field with a security personnel by his side as alleged TMC workers chase him. Updated on: Apr 23, 2026 4:26 PM IST Edited by Nikita Sharma Share via Copy link In
Karan Wahi dispels rumours that he has quit acting for spiritual transformation: 'Doesn't mean I have to leave my work'Karan Wahi recently shared about his spiritual journey after being introduced to Premanand Maharaj ji. The actor, however, does not intend to quit acting. Apr 23, 2026
Starbucks is reportedly laying off staff from its technology departments. This move is part of a larger restructuring plan by new CEO Brian Niccol. The company aims to reorganize operations and focus resources effectively. These cuts follow previous workforce reductions and store closures
Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, will stand trial for crimes against humanity after judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed his charges. The 81-year-old is accused of the extrajudicial killing of thousands during his deadly "war on drugs" between 2011 and
A bizarre incident involving a second-hand appliance has gone viral, leaving social media users both amused and unconvinced. The incident centres around a buyer who picked up a used Samsung dryer from Facebook Marketplace, only to uncover something completely unexpected hidden inside the machine
The US Senate has cleared a key hurdle as Congress looks to secure funding for two immigration enforcement agencies and allow the government to reopen in full. In a late-night voting session, Republicans in the upper chamber of Congress used a procedural manoeuvre that did not require the support
Hyundai Motor India has taken its popular sedan to a new level with the latest Hyundai Verna 1.5 Turbo GDi Petrol DCT HX 10 Dual Tone. Priced at around Rs 18.40 lakh (ex-showroom), this top model is designed for buyers who want both performance and comfort in one package. For new buyers
US Strikes Venezuela, Threatens Latin America – Can Regional Armies Stand Up?
US Raids Venezuela, Threatens Latin America: Can Colombia, Cuba & Mexico Defend Against Washington’s Might?
After Trump threatens Colombia, Cuba and Mexico, experts question whether their militaries could stand up to US power.
New Delhi: Over the weekend, the United States carried out a large military strike against Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. The operation caused a dramatic escalation in tensions between Washington and regional governments.
On Monday, President Donald Trump intensified tensions by threatening military action against Colombia, Cuba and Mexico if their governments did not “get their act together”, citing the fight against drug trafficking and protection of American interests in the Western Hemisphere.
The statements highlight the longstanding friction between the United States and its southern neighbours. While many governments in the region have little appetite for American interference, their militaries are ill-equipped to resist US pressure.
Add Zee News as a Preferred Source
The United States is the undisputed global military superpower. In 2025, Washington's defense budget reached $895 billion, roughly 3.1% of its GDP. This is more than the combined military spending of the next 10 largest countries.
Within Latin America, Brazil tops the charts with the most powerful armed forces, ranking 11th globally in the 2025 Global Firepower rankings. Mexico follows at 32nd, Colombia 46th, Venezuela 50th and Cuba 67th.
Across all conventional metrics (active personnel, combat aircraft, tanks, naval assets and military budgets), these countries are far below the United States. In a direct conflict involving standard weaponry, the United States would maintain overwhelming superiority.
The only notable advantage these nations possess lies in their paramilitary forces, which operate along with conventional armies and can use unconventional tactics against more traditional militaries.
Latin America has a long history of paramilitary groups that play important roles in internal security. These groups are often armed, organized, politically influential and operate outside the official military chain of command.
Cuba boasts the world's third-largest paramilitary force, with over 1.14 million members according to Global Firepower. These include state-controlled militias and neighbourhood defense committees, the largest of which, the Territorial Troops Militia, acts as a civilian reserve to assist the army during crises or external threats.
In Venezuela, armed civilian groups known as colectivos enforce political control and intimidate opposition, operating with state tolerance, especially under Maduro's government.
Colombia's paramilitary groups first emerged in the 1980s to combat left-wing rebels. Even though many were officially disbanded in the 2000s, some came back as new paramilitary or criminal groups and stayed active in rural areas. Early groups were organised with input from the Colombian military and US counterinsurgency advisers during the Cold War.
In Mexico, drug cartels function as powerful paramilitary forces. Groups like the Zetas, originally founded by former soldiers, wield military-grade weapons and often control territories in defiance of the state. The Mexican military has increasingly been deployed in law enforcement roles in response.
Latin American countries have some of the largest paramilitary forces in the world. Cuba's paramilitary is massive, with over 1.14 million members, including state-controlled militias and neighbourhood defense committees. Venezuela follows with around 220,000 armed civilian members, primarily colectivos that support the government during unrest.
Colombia's paramilitary groups, though officially demobilised, still have roughly 150,000 members in rural areas, functioning as neo-paramilitary organisations. Mexico's paramilitary-style forces, largely comprised of drug cartels like the Zetas, also number around 120,000, armed with military-grade weapons.
To put this in perspective, countries like Bangladesh and India have the largest paramilitary forces globally, with 6.8 million and 2.5 million members respectively. Brazil has about 200,000, Iran 220,000 and countries like Russia, China and Pakistan range from 250,000 to 500,000.
Latin American paramilitaries, while smaller than those of Asia, are still important, particularly in their ability to operate alongside or outside conventional military structures.
The United States has a long record of meddling in Latin America. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the so-called Banana Wars saw American troops deployed across Central America to protect corporate interests.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to change course with the 1934 ‘Good Neighbour Policy', pledging non-intervention. During the Cold War, the United States funded efforts to overthrow elected governments, often carried out by the CIA, which was set up in 1947.
Washington formally invaded Panama in 1989 under President George HW Bush during ‘Operation Just Cause', which was aimed at removing President Manuel Noriega, who was later convicted of drug trafficking and other crimes.
Source: ZeeNews
Related Posts: Trump threatens tariffs on any country selling oil to Cuba Gustavo Petro Dares Trump As US-Colombia Tensions Escalate After Venezuela Op Colombia recalls ambassador to US after Trump calls Petro ‘illegal drug leader’ Trump ends aid to Colombia and calls country's leader a 'drug leader' Trump calls Colombia's Petro ‘terrific’ just weeks after insulting him as a ‘sick man’ Experts say Trump's $100 Colombia to suspend intelligence cooperation with U Colombia's Tragedy Small plane crashes in rural area of Colombia Colombia Run By A Sick Man
Aryan Khan was recently seen at a friend’s wedding, where a video of him taking part in the traditional joota churai ritual has gone viral. The clip is being widely shared for the way the playful custom turned into a spirited moment during the ceremony
1 days ago
Turkish lawmakers passed a Bill late on Wednesday (April 23, 2026) that includes restricting access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15, state media reported. The legislation is the latest in a global trend to protect young people from dangerous online activity
1 days ago
The new feature, powered by PayU, is being rolled out in phases on Android and iOS and will be available to all users over the coming weeks, according to a statement. WhatsApp has introduced prepaid mobile recharge services for users in India
1 days ago
CBSE 10th Second Board Exam Date Sheet 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education or CBSE has announced the schedule for the second board examination for class 10 students for the year 2026. As per the notification issued by the board, these exams will commence on May 15, 2026
1 days ago
Sensex Today: The Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex extended their decline for a second straight session, as concerns over the ongoing blockade at the Strait of Hormuz heightened fears of a prolonged energy supply disruption. The Nifty 50 closed 0.84% lower, down 205.50 points at 24,173.10
1 days ago
The JD(U) has given the Chief Minister's post to the BJP in Bihar. This move reciprocates past support from the alliance partner. The new government, led by Samrat Choudhary, will seek a vote of confidence. The ruling NDA holds a strong majority. The new government will follow Nitish Kumar's path
1 days ago
BJP leader Nitin Nabin on Thursday hit out at the Opposition parties in Bihar and slammed them for questioning the future of Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), while the existence of the Opposition is at peril in the state. Speaking to Rahul Joshi, MD and Group Editor-in-Chief at Network18 Group
1 days ago
A comet from another star system has revealed secrets about the early galaxy. Scientists found it has a high amount of heavy hydrogen. This suggests it came from a very cold place. This place was likely far from other stars. It existed even before our sun was born
1 days ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed confidence in a BJP victory in Bengal and said that celebrations would be held on May 4, with sweets and jhalmuri to be distributed. Addressing a massive public meeting in Krishnanagar, the Prime Minister said, “On May 4
1 days ago
UP Board Result 2026 OUT: How to check UPMSP 10th, 12th results on HT Portal?UP Board Result 2026 has been declared. The steps to check UPMSP 10th, 12th results on HT Portal is given here. Published on: Apr 23, 2026 4:35 PM IST By HT Education Desk | Edited by Papri Chanda Share via Copy link The
1 days ago
Thousands of workers rallied Thursday at its computer chip complex in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, demanding higher bonuses and threatening to strike as booming demand for artificial intelligence drives up memory-chip profits.Holding signs and waving banners
1 days ago
Coventry chairman Doug King says Sky Blues fans shouldn't worry about "what may or may not happen" after head coach Frank Lampard was linked with a return to former club Chelsea. Lampard steered the Sky Blues to a top-flight return in August for the first time in more than 25 years after sealing
1 days ago
Fifa has no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer's World Cup according to sources, after the switch was proposed by US president Donald Trump's special envoy. There has been ongoing uncertainty over Iran's participation in the tournament because of the war with US and Israel
1 days ago
Voting in the Assembly elections was underway in Tamil Nadu and a part of West Bengal on Thursday. In Tamil Nadu, polling is being held in all of the state’s 234 seats. In West Bengal, voting is being held in 152 of the state’s 294 constituencies. As of 3 pm
1 days ago
Paying for a mobile recharge every month is easy to ignore, but the total cost over a year can quietly become significant. A Rs 300 plan, for instance, adds up to Rs 3,600 annually, not counting price changes or late recharges. Annual prepaid plans are designed to simplify this
1 days ago
'Is Bengaluru chaotic?': Foreigner busts myth, says city is 'pretty calm'. WatchThe foreigner said that even in a fairly busy area, with businesses, pedestrians and regular traffic, the environment seemed “pretty calm”. Updated on: Apr 23, 2026 4:53 PM IST By Bhavya Sukheja Share via Copy link
1 days ago
Try these 3 summer cocktails for a refreshing boost: From Chilli Smoke Mango to ShillingLooking for summer coolers? Try these refreshing cocktails, from Chilli Smoke Mango to Shilling, to beat the heat. Published on: Apr 23, 2026 4:48 PM IST By Anukriti Srivastava Share via Copy link As summer
1 days ago
For almost two decades, the Indian woman’s relationship with food was governed by a single equation: calories in, calories out. The thinner roti, the skipped rice, the guilt around festive ghee, a generation learned to eat by subtraction and to treat hunger as a character flaw
1 days ago
Man held after 40 years on the run in 1986 Delhi wife murder caseMan held after 40 years on the run in 1986 Delhi wife murder case Published on: Apr 23, 2026 4:33 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, In a breakthrough in a four-decade-old murder case
1 days ago
Pakistan govt should clamp down on Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed: US lawmakers on Pahalgam attack anniversaryThe exhibition comes at a time when Pakistan is positioning itself as a peacemaker, mediating efforts to end the seven-week US-Iran war. Updated on: Apr 23
1 days ago
Bernstein warns Narendra Modi on job risks from AI, weak manufacturing, subsidy politics, lagging agriculture and energy dependence, urges reforms Brokerage firm Bernstein has written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, flagging risks around jobs
1 days ago
The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed social media platforms to take down videos of proceedings where Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal had sought that Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma recuse herself from hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation’s challenge to his discharge in the Delhi
1 days ago
The month of May 2026 is considered highly significant from a religious perspective, as it brings together the rare alignment of the Jyeshtha month and Adhik Maas. While Jyeshtha holds importance due to its association with Lord Hanuman’s meeting with Lord Ram
1 days ago
As outlined in recent Binance Research, the industry is shifting away from retail-centric speculation toward a "Risk Reboot" phase characterised by purpose-driven adoption and institutional-grade participation. At the centre of this transition is the functional reclassification of major platforms
1 days ago
While blockchain systems are designed with strong security features, the "human element" is usually where things go wrong. Binance has built a wide suite of security tools, but there’s a gap: most people only use the bare minimum. They leave the back door unsecured while wondering why the front
1 days ago
HSBC has downgraded Indian equities to “underweight” from “neutral” as global oil prices remain high amid the war in West Asia, Reuters reported on Thursday. This is the second time the global brokerage firm has downgraded Indian equities in a month
1 days ago
Jharkhand Board JAC Matric (Class 10) Result 2026 LIVE: The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has announced the JAC Board 10th Result 2026 at a press conference. The JAC Class 10 Result 2026 link has been activated on the board’s official websites, jac.jharkhand.gov.in and jacresults.com
1 days ago
