Overall Highlights

• Nicolás Maduro’s recent capture has led to significant political shifts in Venezuela, with 79% of citizens viewing it positively but fearing increased repression.
• The U.S. has intensified its military and diplomatic actions against Venezuela, including a crackdown on oil shipments and support for opposition leaders.
• Venezuela is attempting to reestablish diplomatic ties with the U.S. while maintaining its historical relationship with Cuba, indicating a complex geopolitical stance.
• The release of political prisoners by the Venezuelan government is seen as a gesture towards improving relations with the U.S.
• Disputes over representation in U.S. courts for Maduro highlight the ongoing legal and political complexities surrounding his regime.

Venezuelan Perspective (Venezuelan Sources)

• The release of 56 political prisoners is a significant move by the Maduro government, including the release of Argentine-Israeli Yaacob Eliahu.
• Public sentiment is mixed; while many see Maduro’s capture as a positive development, there are fears of increased repression from the government.
• Venezuela is making diplomatic overtures towards the U.S., suggesting a willingness to engage despite ongoing tensions.
• Reports indicate that the Venezuelan military’s air defenses were ineffective during U.S. military actions, raising questions about national security.
• The government claims that accusations of oil theft are historically inaccurate, asserting that past administrations have mismanaged resources.

United States Perspective (United States Sources)

• The U.S. military conducted operations against alleged drug trafficking in Venezuela, using tactics such as disguising aircraft as civilian planes.
• There is a focus on the failure of Venezuela’s air defenses during U.S. operations, suggesting vulnerabilities in Maduro’s regime.
• The U.S. is tightening sanctions on Venezuela, leading to Chinese supertankers reversing course, indicating the impact of U.S. policies on global trade.
• The upcoming meeting between Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado signifies U.S. support for regime change in Venezuela.
• Discussions in the U.S. highlight the complexities of national security and diplomatic strategies regarding Venezuela’s political landscape.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [es-VE] Venezuela-Estados Unidos HOY, EN VIVO: el chavismo liberó a 56 presos políticos, incluido el argentino israelí Yaacob Eliahu - Clarin.com (1/13/2026)
2. [es-VE] Últimas noticias de Venezuela tras la detención de Maduro, en directo | La reunión entre Trump y Machado en la Casa Blanca tendrá lugar el jueves - EL PAÍS (1/13/2026)
3. [es-VE] Venezuela, tras la captura de Maduro: encuesta revela que el 79 % de los venezolanos ve como positivo lo ocurrido, pero 61 % teme más represión - ELTIEMPO.com (1/13/2026)
4. [es-VE] El robo de petróleo a Venezuela no es de EEUU: lo ha sido con Chávez y Maduro y para regalarlo a Cuba, China o Nicaragua - Libertad Digital (1/13/2026)
5. [es-VE] Venezuela hoy, en vivo: Nicolás Maduro en Estados Unidos y los últimos anuncios de Donald Trump, minuto a minuto - La Nación (1/13/2026)
6. [es-VE] ¿Quiénes son los chavistas buscados por Estados Unidos pero que se mantienen en el poder en Venezuela? - El Comercio Perú (1/13/2026)
7. [es-VE] Bajo pretexto de cuidar a Maduro, Venezuela anuncia avances en restablecimiento diplomático con EU - El Financiero (1/13/2026)
8. [es-VE] Surge disputa en EEUU sobre quién representará al expresidente venezolano Nicolás Maduro en la corte - ABC7 Los Angeles (1/13/2026)
9. [es-VE] Informe expone que los sistemas antiaéreos rusos de Venezuela no estaban operativos durante el ataque de Estados Unidos - Escenario Mundial (1/13/2026)
10. [es-VE] Última hora de la intervención de Estados Unidos en Venezuela, en directo: sigue las últimas noticias tras … - ABC (1/12/2026)
11. [en-US] US military used aircraft disguised as civilian plane in first attack on alleged drug boat: report - The Independent (1/13/2026)
12. [en-US] Why Venezuela’s Air Defenses Never Fired: When C4ISR Disarms C2 - Modern Diplomacy (1/13/2026)
13. [en-US] Two China-Flagged Supertankers Venezuela Reverse Course Amid US Sanctions Crackdown - The Sunday Guardian (1/12/2026)
14. [en-US] Hegseth says US military brought Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro “from the most fortified house in the most fortified location inside their biggest fort in their capital city in the middle of the night, without them knowing we were there until three minutes before.” - x.com (1/12/2026)
15. [en-US] China-Flagged Supertankers Abort Venezuela Run as U.S. Oil Embargo Tightens - gCaptain (1/12/2026)
16. [en-US] Two China-flagged supertankers bound for Venezuela reverse course as US tightens crackdown: Report - WION (1/12/2026)
17. [en-US] Trump to host Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday - NBC News (1/12/2026)
18. [en-US] Venezuela Moves to Reestablish US Diplomatic Ties, Reaffirms ‘Historic’ Cuba Relationship - Venezuelanalysis (1/12/2026)
19. [en-US] What’s next for US national security after Venezuela? - The Hill (1/12/2026)
20. [en-US] Travelers Navigate Travel Insurance Claims After U.S.-Venezuela Tensions - Travel Agent Central (1/12/2026)