U.S. Pours More Firepower Into the Caribbean as Trump Ramps Up Threats

Ana Corina Sosa, daughter of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, has reflected on her mother's recent escape from Venezuela and the implications for their future. Maria Corina Machado, who has been in hiding due to safety concerns under the Maduro regime, recently accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, which her daughter accepted on her behalf in Oslo.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado undertook a perilous escape from Venezuela to Norway, fearing for her life during the journey, which was reportedly supported by the United States. This escape was crucial for her to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony where she was honored for her efforts in promoting peace and democracy in Venezuela.

Belarus has released 123 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, following a deal with the United States that resulted in the lifting of certain sanctions against the country. This significant move indicates a thaw in relations between Washington and Minsk.

Rwandan-backed rebels have seized a key city in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) just a week after a peace deal was brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, raising concerns about the potential for escalating violence in the region. The M23 rebel group has been particularly active, undermining the fragile agreement aimed at fostering stability between DRC and Rwanda.

Two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush by the Islamic State in Palmyra, Syria, marking a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region. The Pentagon confirmed the attack, which is the first U.S. casualties since the fall of Bashar al-Assad a year ago.

Record-breaking floodwaters in Washington state have begun to recede after days of severe flooding that led to widespread evacuations and emergency rescues. Governor Bob Ferguson emphasized the historic nature of the water levels, which are expected to remain high for an extended period. No fatalities have been reported despite the extensive damage and disruption caused by the flooding.

Former President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. will retaliate following the ambush that resulted in the deaths of three Americans in Syria, labeling the incident as an ISIS attack. This announcement was made during a press briefing at the White House before he attended the Army-Navy football game in Baltimore.

The Cuban foreign ministry has condemned the U.S. military's seizure of the Skipper oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, labeling the act as 'piracy' and 'maritime terrorism.' This operation, which reportedly involved the capture of 1.1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, is seen as a violation of international law and a direct attack on Cuba's economic interests, particularly its access to Venezuelan hydrocarbons.