Ex-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Wife Seek to Dismiss Drug Charges via Immunity Claims Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have filed legal motions in a Manhattan federal court to dismiss drug trafficking charges against them, arguing that their status as foreign leaders grants them immunity from U.S. prosecution. The lawyers for Maduro and Flores contend that the indictment violates principles of sovereign immunity, asserting that no American court has ever tried a foreign head of state for criminal offenses while in office. The motions, submitted on Wednesday, claim that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction to prosecute Maduro and Flores, who are scheduled to stand trial on drug trafficking charges in June. Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, have been detained at a Brooklyn jail since their arrest in a surprise raid by U.S. authorities in early January. The raid, conducted at their home in Caracas, led to their transfer to New York, where they remain held pending trial. Their legal team emphasized that Maduro’s immunity stems from his role as Venezuela’s head of state, while Flores’ immunity is tied to her position as first lady. Lawyers for Flores stated that sovereignty is an inherent attribute of Venezuela, and only the country itself can waive its immunity. Maduro’s attorneys further argued that even if sovereign immunity did not apply, the case against him should still be dismissed due to conduct-based immunity. They claimed Maduro “vehemently denies the allegations” and that a trial would reveal his innocence. The charges, which date back to a case first filed six years ago, allege that Maduro conspired with Venezuelan officials to facilitate the smuggling of thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S. If convicted, both face potential life sentences.#caracas #nicolas_maduro #manhattan_federal_court #cilia_flores #brooklyn_jail
Families of Two Football Players Killed in Venezuela Earthquakes The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last Wednesday, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, have claimed at least 1,719 lives, with families of two professional footballers among the victims. The disaster has left communities in devastation, with rescue teams working tirelessly to locate survivors amid the rubble. The quakes, the most powerful in Venezuela since 1900, have also prompted international aid efforts, as the death toll is expected to rise significantly. Lucas Trejo, an Argentinian footballer signed to Club Sport Marítimo of La Guaira, lost his wife, Yanina, and their two children, Aaron and Ainhoa, in the catastrophe. Trejo, who was training with his team in Caracas when the earthquakes struck, returned to his hometown of La Guaira, which was heavily damaged. His brother-in-law, Ricardo Ardiles, described the aftermath as “absolutely nothing” remaining of their home. Trejo spent three days searching through the rubble for his family before their bodies were recovered by rescue workers. Another local player, Héctor Bello, lost his wife, Andrea, who died shielding their infant daughter when their home collapsed. The child, Alana, was later found by rescuers, local media reported. She is in a stable condition alongside her aunt, according to Bello, who was away from home when the earthquake struck. “You gave your own life for our daughter … you were a brave woman who never abandoned her, even as you took your last breaths,” he wrote in an Instagram post. According to Venezuelan football officials, the disaster also claimed the lives of youth players Victor Palacios and Razan Sijaa. Palacios played for Club Sport San Augustín’s academy.#venezuela #caracas #club_sport_maritimo #la_guaira #swiss_rescue_team
Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Strikes Venezuela, Triggering Collapse of Buildings and High Casualty Estimates A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck west of Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, on June 24, 2026, triggering widespread panic and significant damage. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the initial tremor, followed by a second, stronger quake of magnitude 7.5 just under a minute later. The dual shocks caused buildings to collapse in Caracas, prompting scientists to warn of “high casualties and extensive damage” to the region. The USGS initially estimated the death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000, though official figures were not immediately released. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed that structures in Caracas had been destroyed, with residential buildings and commercial properties collapsing under the force of the quakes. The earthquake struck during a public holiday commemorating Venezuela’s 1821 military victory over Spanish forces, catching many residents unprepared. Astrid Ramirez, a 41-year-old publicist in western Caracas, described the chaos as people fled their homes. “As soon as it started, we began hearing people screaming,” she said, recounting how residents rushed down stairwells in panic. The timing of the quake, coinciding with a national holiday, amplified the crisis, as many were indoors and unable to evacuate quickly. Venezuela’s location on the boundary of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates makes it prone to seismic activity. The country has a history of devastating earthquakes, including a magnitude 6.3 quake in 1967 that killed hundreds. Coro Martinez, a 56-year-old resident of eastern Caracas, described the 2026 event as more intense than the 1967 disaster. “There was a very loud crash. Things fell in the house, jugs inside the refrigerator.#us #caracas #usgs #puerto_rico #diosdado_cabello
Back-to-back powerful earthquakes slam Venezuela, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas Two massive earthquakes struck off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, triggering widespread panic and structural damage across the country. The first tremor, initially measured at 7.1 magnitude by the U.S. Geological Survey, was later revised to 7.2, with its epicenter located west of the coastal town of Morón, approximately 168 kilometers from Caracas. Just minutes later, a second, even stronger quake with a magnitude of 7.5 rattled the region, its epicenter 16 kilometers southwest of Morón. Both quakes, with depths of 22 kilometers and 10 kilometers respectively, were among the most severe to hit Venezuela in over a century. The tremors caused buildings to collapse in Caracas, the capital, as residents fled their homes in fear. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with entire walls of structures falling and furniture visible from the streets. Dust clouds rose in two busy neighborhoods, and power and cellphone signals were lost in parts of the city. "We all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together," said Hector Ricci, a resident of Caracas, describing the sudden evacuation. The lack of communication further heightened anxiety, particularly for families displaced by Venezuela’s ongoing crisis, with over 7.7 million people having left the country. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez failed to address the nation within three hours of the earthquakes, despite the government’s lack of immediate reports on casualties or damage. This delay drew sharp criticism from opposition figures and Venezuelans. Edmundo González, the opposition’s 2024 presidential candidate, called the uncertainty "yet another layer of anguish," while Maria Corina Machado, an exiled opposition leader, urged solidarity amid the crisis.#venezuela #caracas #morn #delcy_rodrguez #edmundo_gonzlez
Venezuela Earthquakes Trigger Widespread Damage, Evacuations, and Global Concerns A series of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, causing significant damage in the capital, Caracas, and raising alarms about the country’s already fragile infrastructure. The first quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5, hit near the northern coast, approximately 28 kilometers northwest of Montalbán, a region home to Venezuela’s largest oil refineries. Just 40 seconds later, a foreshock of 7.2 magnitude followed, intensifying the chaos. The tremors collapsed buildings, sent residents fleeing their homes, and left many stranded as emergency crews scrambled to respond. Residents in Caracas described harrowing scenes as they evacuated buildings with their families and pets. Maria Alejandra, a survivor, recounted how walls in her apartment cracked and that they had to pry open a door to escape. “We had to climb over the rubble and everything. The building superintendent with the baby and all the neighbors coming down. But from that building, I only saw that one family got out,” she said. The US Embassy in Caracas issued an alert to American citizens, urging them to seek shelter and avoid damaged areas. The message emphasized the importance of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for emergency contact. The earthquakes also triggered a tsunami warning from the US Tsunami Warning Centers, which initially advised coastal areas including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to prepare for potentially dangerous waves. However, the warning was later canceled as experts confirmed no tsunami threat. The US Geological Survey (USGS) noted that the quakes did not generate waves capable of reaching distant shores.#venezuela #caracas #us_embassy #montalban #us_tsunami_warning_centers
The first direct U.S.-Venezuela commercial flight in 7 years lands in Caracas CARACAS, Venezuela — The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela touched down in the capital of the South American country on April 30, 2026, marking a significant shift after a seven-year suspension of U.S. flights to the nation. The decision to resume nonstop travel came months after the U.S. captured then-President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic nighttime raid on his residence in Caracas in early January 2026. It also followed the formal restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two nations, with the U.S. embassy in Caracas reopening a month prior. Passengers aboard the inaugural flight, operated by Envoy Air—a subsidiary of American Airlines—expressed excitement about reconnecting with family and exploring the country. Lennart Ochoa, a Miami resident, described the journey as “priceless,” emphasizing the importance of a direct flight to reunite with loved ones. The flight, which departed Miami International Airport at 10:11 a.m. EDT, arrived in Caracas around three hours later, with plans for a second daily flight to begin on May 21. The resumption of flights coincided with the Trump administration’s efforts to reengage with Venezuela’s energy and mining sectors. Jarrod Agen, director of the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, joined the inaugural flight, set to meet with Venezuelan officials and industry leaders to facilitate U.S. corporate investment. The Venezuelan government reported that the move would open new opportunities for American businesses, reflecting a broader strategy to ease economic ties. American Airlines, the last U.S. carrier to operate flights to Venezuela, had suspended services in 2019 amid escalating tensions.#caracas #nicolas_maduro #lennart_ochoa #daniella_levine_cava #delcy_rodriguez
Venezuela and U.S. Restore Diplomatic Relations The United States and Venezuela have reached an agreement to restore diplomatic relations following a visit by U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to Caracas. During the meeting, Burgum and Venezuelan officials discussed potential collaborations in the oil sector and broader economic opportunities. The development marks a significant shift in the relationship between the two nations, which had been strained for years due to political and economic tensions. The decision to reestablish ties comes amid growing interest in Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, a critical resource for both countries. U.S. officials have emphasized the importance of stabilizing the Venezuelan economy to ensure long-term energy security. Meanwhile, Venezuelan leaders have expressed hope that renewed diplomatic engagement will attract foreign investment and support economic reforms. This move is expected to ease some of the restrictions previously imposed by the U.S. on Venezuelan officials and businesses, potentially opening new avenues for cooperation. Analysts suggest that the agreement reflects a strategic effort to balance economic interests with geopolitical considerations. However, challenges remain, including the need to address Venezuela’s ongoing economic crisis and political instability. The restoration of diplomatic relations is a step toward normalizing ties between the two nations, though the long-term success of this initiative will depend on sustained efforts to resolve underlying issues. Both sides have pledged to work toward a stable and prosperous future, signaling a tentative but hopeful turn in their relationship.#united_states #venezuela #doug_burgum #caracas #oil_sector
