Key Takeaways
- U.S. forces reportedly deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who now faces federal charges in New York.
- Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed interim presidency amid White House backing.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversees U.S. efforts in Venezuela, managing its post-Maduro transition.
- Authorities identified all 40 victims of a deadly Swiss ski resort fire, and U.S. flu cases surged in December.
Deep Dive
- U.S. Special Forces reportedly stormed a Caracas safe house, deposing President Nicolás Maduro; he now faces federal charges in New York.
- President Trump stated the U.S. would effectively run Venezuela, maintaining a quarantine to control oil tanker traffic.
- Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed the interim presidency, initially defiant but later invited U.S. cooperation.
- The White House backed Rodríguez, sidelining opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to avoid inciting violence, according to Jon Lee Anderson.
- Maduro's presidency (since 2013) saw a greater willingness to use violence against political opposition than Hugo Chavez's tenure.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio is described as the 'Viceroy of Venezuela' by The Washington Post, overseeing U.S. efforts.
- Rubio's role encompasses energy policy, security, sanctions, and elections, which he states are premature until Venezuela addresses Maduro-era issues.
- He warned of continued oil quarantines and U.S. pressure, denying accusations of misleading Congress about military action approval.
- Rubio's career includes a decade-long focus on regime change in Venezuela, potentially using it as a means to disrupt the Cuban government.
- Authorities identified all 40 victims, aged 14 to 39, of a deadly New Year's Eve fire at a Swiss ski resort bar.
- The CDC reported a significant surge in U.S. flu cases in December 2024-2025, marking the worst season since 2018.
- New creative works, including the first Betty Boop cartoon and the song 'Dream a Little Dream of Me,' are entering the public domain in 2026.