Venus Williams Set To Become Oldest Woman To Compete In Australian Open Main Draw
The seven-time Grand Slam champion will make history at age 45 after receiving a wild-card entry for the 2026 tournament in Melbourne.
Venus Williams is poised to make Australian Open history next month, becoming the oldest woman ever to compete in the tennis tournament’s main draw after receiving a wild-card entry from organizers, according to the LA Times.
When the Australian Open begins Jan. 18 in Melbourne, Williams will be 45 years, seven months, and one day old, surpassing the previous age record held by Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm. Date-Krumm was 44 years old when she appeared in the 2015 tournament, where she exited in the first round.
The upcoming appearance will mark Williams’ 22nd time competing at the Australian Open, where she owns a career record of 54 wins and 21 losses. She made her debut at the event in 1998, advancing to the quarterfinals after defeating her younger sister Serena Williams before falling to Lindsay Davenport.
“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian Open,” she said in a statement. “I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”
Although she has never captured a singles title in Melbourne, she reached the final twice, losing to Serena Williams in both the 2003 and 2017 championship matches. Her success at the tournament extends beyond singles play. Alongside Serena, Venus claimed four Australian Open doubles titles between 2001 and 2010, and she also won the mixed doubles crown in 1998 with Justin Gimelstob.
Williams’ return to elite competition follows a gradual comeback after an extended break from singles play. In July, she won her first singles match in 16 months at the D.C. Open, defeating 23-year-old Peyton Stearns. That victory made her the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match, trailing only Martina Navratilova, who accomplished the feat at age 47.
Following that match, Williams shared a personal milestone, revealing her engagement to Danish actor and model Andrea Preti. “Yes, my fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing,” she said at the time.
“There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill.” Williams and Preti were married last month in Florida.
Williams also enjoyed a strong doubles run at the U.S. Open last summer, partnering with 22-year-old Leylah Fernandez. The duo reached the quarterfinals without dropping a set before being eliminated by Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova.
Ahead of the Australian Open, Williams is scheduled to tune up at the ASB Classic in Auckland and the Hobart International, continuing a career that has defied expectations and redefined longevity in women’s tennis.
Deniqua Yvonne Lovett, 34, was arrested on Dec. 28 on a charge of child neglect causing great bodily harm, following a Miramar Police investigation, NBC Miami reports. The arrest comes after her girlfriend’s young son was hospitalized in September with multiple fractures, just weeks after the child’s mother, Veronica Ruffin, 29, was arrested on similar charges.
According to the affidavit, the investigation began after the boy—whose name and age were redacted—was taken to Memorial West Hospital on Sept. 4 with swelling to his head and elbow. He was then transferred to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where doctors found multiple injuries, including head abrasions, a burned ear, bruising to the lower abdomen, fractures to the elbow, ribs, collarbone, wrist, and knee, the affidavit states.
Authorities grew concerned after inconsistencies in explanations for the boy’s injuries. Ruffin said Lovett often cared for the child while she worked, while Lovett claimed he fell from a playground slide, causing a fractured arm. She also said the boy’s rib injuries came from a previous fall from a bed and that she accidentally burned his ear with a hot comb. Medical records showed the elbow fracture occurred 2–4 days before hospitalization, the affidavit states.
“Also, the fact that his injuries went unreported for multiple days was remarkable because of the nature and severity of the injury,” the affidavit noted.
The affidavit noted that the fractures to the boy’s collarbone, wrist, knee, and ribs were “consistent with non-accidental trauma.” He was last seen in good health during a pediatric visit on Aug. 11. After being discharged from the hospital on Sept. 10, the boy, who has a speech delay and expressive language disorder, was placed in the care of his maternal aunt following a shelter hearing, the affidavit states.
“The evidence of injuries at different stages of healing, indicate that [the child] sustained inflicted trauma on multiple occasions in the weeks leading up to his recent hospitalization,” the affidavit said.
Lovett, of Fort Lauderdale, was booked into jail and appeared before a judge, who set her bond at $100,000. After her arrest, she told reporters she did not harm the toddler and said she didn’t understand why she was being arrested a month after the child’s mother.
Brandon Marshall, Carl Banks, Martellus Bennett, and Adam “Pacman” Jones at the NFL Legends Artist Replay Panel in Miami. Photo courtesy of the NFL (Jesus Aranguren/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Brandon Marshall, Carl Banks, And Marty Bennett Celebrate Artistry And Athleticism During Art Basel
The NFL legends highlighted the intersectionality of art and football
Art and football are two powerful mediums that transcend and unite culture. And yet, the worlds of sports and art don’t collide very often.
The National Football League (NFL), however, bridged the gap between artistry and athleticism during Art Basel Miami Beach and Miami Art Week, the biggest festival of modern and contemporary art in North America. Held in December, the annual multi-day event attracts around 80,000 art collectors, dealers, investors, and enthusiasts from around the world. In addition to art, hundreds of activations and parties are held across South Florida, recognizing the art of music, food, fashion, and technology.
Source: Retired NFL legend Carl Banks at the NFL ARTIS REPLAY 2025 in Miami. Photo courtesy of the NFL (Jesus Aranguren/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Last month, sports fans were invited into the world of fine art and exhibitions at the NFL Artist Replay, an initiative launched in 2023 to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and football while amplifying the work and voices of emerging artists of color. Held in Miami’s historic Wynwood art district, the NFL Artist Replay brought together players, NFL legends, artists, celebrities, and creatives for three days of programming.
Curated by multi-hyphenated creator and entrepreneur Kendall Hurns, the 2025 showcase featured original work from Calvin Clausell Jr., Kayla Mahaffey, McFlyy, Joseph “Sentrock” Perez, and Sydnie & Haylie Jimenez. The gallery also showcased debut pieces from Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Marco Wilson as well as sculptural and hand-crafted pieces from retired Super Bowl champion Martellus “Marty” Bennett.
Source: NFL ARTIS REPLAY 2025 on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 in Miami. Photo courtesy of the NFL (Jesus Aranguren/AP Content Services for the NFL)
In addition to showcasing artwork inspired by football, the NFL Artist Replay gallery featured a Starter Maker’s Studio that allowed guests to customize limited-edition jackets and merchandise with exclusive graphics and patches. Starter also tapped Miami artist Alex Yanes, who created and sold his own limited-edition capsule collection exclusively during the event. Plus, the gallery hosted the NFL Artist Replay x Miami Dolphins Game Day Watch Party, bringing together the local community, fans, artists, and creatives.
One of the highlights during the three-day activation was a live panel discussion held on Saturday titled “The Creative Playbook: How NFL Athletes Are Transforming the Creative Scene.” Bennett was featured on the panel alongside retired NFL greats Brandon Marshall, Carl Banks, and Adam “Pacman” Jones.
Source: Brandon Marshall, Carl Banks, Martellus Bennett, and Adam “Pacman” Jones at the NFL Legends Artist Replay Panel in Miami. Photo courtesy of the NFL (Jesus Aranguren/AP Content Services for the NFL)
“[As] athletes, we are collectors, we are curators, we are collaborators, we are movers and shakers, and we shape culture — and we’re seeing that more than ever,” said Marshall, a former NFL wide receiver-turned-media personality and entrepreneur, while moderating the panel.
Marshall — who played for 13 seasons with seven different teams and holds the NFL record for most receptions in a single game with 21 catches — applauded the NFL Artist Replay initiative for giving players space to explore their creative pursuits off the field.
“Some of us are into art, some of us are into food, some of us are into fashion,” he told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Back in the day, we didn’t lean into those things outside of football. Now, we’re saying we’re going to get involved in the things that our players and our people care about,” said Marshall, who launched the media platform and popular YouTube series I Am Athlete. “Art runs rampant through every single team, every single player, every single organization.”
Marshall, the founder and CEO of House of Athlete, a holistic wellness brand designed to help athletes improve their mental and physical fitness, went on to explain that athletes’ physical aptitude is, in itself, a form of artistic expression.
“A lot of times we look at athletes and we just see the physical side, and we don’t look at it as art,” he said. “When I saw Serena Williams play, I said, that’s art. When I checked out [Cristiano] Ronaldo and all these European soccer players, even the guys here in the States running 19 miles per hour and controlling the football — that’s art,” he continued. “There’s creativity in everything. We think art is just someone who’s behind a brush or a canvas. No, art is so much wider than that.”
Source: Martellus “Marty” Bennett at the NFL ARTIS REPLAY 2025 in Miami. Photo courtesy of the NFL (Jesus Aranguren/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Bennett, a former NFL linebacker-turned-multi-disciplinary artist known as “Mr. Tomonoshi,” echoed Marshall’s sentiment, adding that the NFL shouldn’t stifle players’ passions or purpose outside of football.
“I think the NFL realized that these are more than just football players…and we should be paving the way for them not only to get there, but also be working with them in these spaces,” he said. “It’s about humanity, allowing people to be a full human being,” he continued. “If you limit somebody’s ability to be human, it’s a dehumanizing experience.”
Likewise, Banks, a New York Giants legend and businessman, stressed the importance of players using football as a launchpad for business opportunities beyond the game.
“Now, the players make a lot of money. The duality is even more important so that they know how to invest [and] what other sectors that they can build their wealth,” said Banks, who serves as the president and CEO of the Starter brand. “Being a football player is…the main thing [that] helps you create that second career — or those multiple second careers — so that when you finish playing, you’ve made a lot of money you can invest [and] you can be your own enterprise.”
While touching on the intersectionality of creativity and sports during the panel, Banks paid homage to legendary artist Ernie Barnes, who was influenced by his own experience playing in the NFL. Born in 1938, Barnes studied art while playing football at North Carolina Central University before being drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1959. Before being injured and leaving the NFL after five seasons, he befriended New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin, who later became a notable patron of his paintings and helped him launch his first solo exhibition.
Like Barnes, Marshall says that he, too, began to prioritize his creative talent after leaving the NFL.
“I’ve been retired for six years, and it was probably four years ago when I realized that I was a creative,” he said. “Being able to be in this setting and listen and hear from other creatives, to sit and soak in some of these pieces, it’s helping me in the things that I’m creating.”
KFC Worker Allegedly Stabbed After Argument About Gravy
Gerald Carter spoke to the police about the alleged incident and claims he did not remove his knife from his pocket during the altercation.
Two men were arrested and charged with attempted murder after a dispute over gravy at a North Las Vegas KFC turned into a violent attack on a restaurant employee, police said.
Police were called about 7:45 p.m. Dec. 27, 2025, to the KFC on West Craig Road near Camino Al Norte after employees reported that a customer had attacked a worker, North Las Vegas police said. Officers later identified the suspects as James Carter, 48, and his family member, Gerald Carter, 32, both of North Las Vegas. The men were walking away from the restaurant after the alleged incident.
North Las Vegas police Lt. S.T. Brandon said video surveillance showed the Carters entering a restricted area behind the counter before the attack. Investigators say the dispute began after Gerald Carter repeatedly complained about the amount of gravy on his food and confronted employees about it.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Gerald Carter stabbing the employee multiple times while James Carter held the worker in a chokehold, police said. The two men left the restaurant before officers arrived, but were soon detained nearby, 8NewsNow reported.
Officers found a large folding knife in Gerald Carter’s pocket when he was taken into custody, according to police reports. The injured employee was transported to University Medical Center for treatment, authorities added, though no further details about the victim’s condition were released.
Gerald spoke to the police about the alleged incident and claims he did not remove his knife from his pocket during the altercation. He also refutes claims that the argument centered on gravy. Gerald says the KFC employee was a verbal aggressor before the altercation and “was calling him names and disrespecting him.”
Both suspects were booked into the Clark County Detention Center. Gerald Carter’s bail was set at $100,000, and James Carter’s was set at $10,000, pending further proceedings in North Las Vegas Justice Court.
The Grammy-winning rapper opened up about her partnership with the fast-food brand and proudly highlighted her role as a franchise owner after unveiling her new, personally built Popeyes restaurant in Miami on Dec. 31. A video shared on Instagram shows Megan greeting employees by name and jumping behind the counter to help prepare meals for the first customers.
“Prepping Thee Hot Staff before THEE FIRST EVER MEGAN THEE STALLION POPEYES OPENED,” she captioned the post. “I’m so excited, so proud, and I just feel so much gratitude! I’m officially a franchise owner. Come to South Beach, Miami, and dine with us.”
The opening marks the next step in her ongoing partnership with Popeyes, which began with the launch of her “Hottie Sauce” in 2021 and the earlier tease that the restaurant was on the way. Back in April 2025, the “Savage” rapper shared her excitement for the eatery’s opening in a TikTok video touring the construction site.
“I wear many hats. When I’m in the [recording] booth, I wear that hat. When I’m at Popeyes, I wear this hat,” she said at the time.
With the launch of her personally built franchise location, Megan showed her dedication to the role. She received praise from fans for her response to the store manager’s attempt to bypass introducing each member of the inaugural staff.
”You don’t need to know everyone’s names,” he said.
“Oh, yes, I do,” Megan replied before walking around the store, asking each staffer for their name and offering them a personal welcome.
“Samir? Love the name Samir. Oh, you’re Rick? Heyy Rick!” she said with excitement.
The video also captured Megan’s excitement as she met with her team and boosted morale, telling them she planned to stop by often to keep the spot lively.
”This is going to be the best experience for me, and hopefully for y’all, because I’m going to be coming up in here acting a fool, and I’m going to try to see what y’all got going on in here,” she told her staff. “I hope this is a fun job, and I hope everyone has a blast!”
Howard University’s Women’s Basketball Team Ready For Challengers In MEAC Conference Play
The team is currently 10-6
As the Howard University women’s basketball team begins MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) play, head coach Ty Grace has the squad positioned for success and high expectations after going 10-6 in non-conference play.
According to HBCU Gameday, the Bison head into MEAC play with all their victories against Division 1 opponents.
The women’s basketball team is being recognized for its play and winning record, currently ranked No. 13 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Poll. This ranking is among the highest ever achieved by a MEAC program. Since the team entered the Top 25, they have remained on the list, with No. 24 as their lowest position to date. The other positions they’ve held have been No. 24, No. 20, No. 19 (twice), No. 14, and No. 12; it now ranks No. 13.
Before the season began, experts had them selected for the list when it was revealed Oct. 27.
The Bisons ended the 2025 portion of their season with a 64-58 loss on the road to Army.
Although they lost, the recent ranking kept them on the poll for the eighth consecutive week. Princeton University (12-1) holds the No. 1 spot (Five straight weeks), while the 9-4 South Dakota State is in second place.
The team is having a much better year than last season, when its record was 15-16 (10-4 in conference play). With a 10-4 conference record, they finished second. With players like Zennia Thomas, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding, Zoe Stewart, who scores consistently on the perimeter, and throw in Nile Miller, known for her defensive prowess, and Ariella Henigan added to the mix, the Bisons should have a good showing heading into conference play.
Their next scheduled contest is Jan. 3; they open the MEAC portion of the current season on the road against South Carolina State (SC State) at 2 p.m. All eyes will be on the Bisons to show what a solid basketball program from Howard University can accomplish.
DaQuarius Green, 31, pastor of Elba Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Dale County, died on Dec. 27 after being shot on the day before Christmas Eve during a domestic dispute with an unidentified woman, WISTV reports. The incident followed multiple domestic violence cases throughout 2025, including three misdemeanor charges against Green that were dismissed after the woman declined to testify.
His congregation, which held a vigil for the slain pastor on Dec. 28, confirmed his death in a Facebook post, noting that the congregation is mourning his loss.
“With heavy hearts yet unwavering faith, we share that our beloved Pastor Da’Quarius Green has transitioned from this earthly life into eternal rest. We thank God for his time of faithful service, love, and spiritual guidance poured into the Elba Zion Missionary Baptist Church family and the community. Though we mourn, we rejoice knowing that a life well lived in Christ has now received the promised reward. We ask that you continue to keep his family and the Elba Zion Church family lifted in prayer during this difficult time. We will still convene on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 3 p.m. for a prayer vigil as we come together in faith and remembrance.”
Court records show that in 2025, a woman who shares children with Green claimed he repeatedly struck her, including once while she was pregnant, and sought a protection order against the church pastor. The records do not clarify whether the same woman was involved in each case or whether she is the person who shot Green.
The alleged shooter has not been charged, a sign that authorities may view the incident as potentially justified. Cases involving possible self-defense are typically referred to the district attorney, who then decides whether to bring the matter before a grand jury.
Amid the allegations, members of Elba Zion Missionary Baptist Church have shared messages of support and remembrance for their pastor on the Facebook page, with some offering their own criticisms.
“We are going to miss him. Loved him very much. Celebrating his homecoming and praying for his family and friends,” one supportive post read.
”This is no disrespect to the Church; unfortunately, the Church is really not equipped, unless we have staff onboard to deal with domestic violence and a whole lot of other issues,” said someone else.
Actress Tichina Arnold, "Everybody hates Chris" and "Martin" signs an autogragh for a fan March 24 at the Yokota Community Center. Ms. Arnold visited base meeting Airmen at the Samurai Cafe and also visiting schools on base. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Eric Summers)Airman 1st Class Eric Summers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Revisiting the 90s: Tichina Arnold Pushes Back At Ari Lennox’s Critique Around Colorism And ‘Martin’
Arnolds comments were made in response to Lennox’s public statements that watching Martin resurfaced feelings about colorism and jokes directed at darker-skinned women.
Actor Tichina Arnold has pushed back against recent claims by singer Ari Lennox that the sitcom Martin promoted colorism.
Arnold addressed the issue in remarks circulating online from her appearance on Deon Cole’s YouTube series Funny Knowing You. In the clip, Arnold said Pam was “never written around skin tone.” She explained that the role was initially conceived for “a heavier-set actress,” and that the writers had to adjust once she was cast.
The comedic actress says the Pamela James character was not written around skin tone, and that many of the jokes viewers remember were never scripted in the first place.
“So, this is a little backstory. Pam was originally for a heavy-set girl. So, all the jokes in my audition were fat jokes. So, I’m literally auditioning, saying fat like with fat jokes, right? They ended up changing it when I got the role.”
Arnold said many of the jokes that later became associated with Pam were born organically on set rather than in the writers’ room. As cast members frequently roasted and joked with one another off camera, the chemistry felt natural. The ease between actors and the hilarity of their roast sessions led writers later to incorporate some of those moments and jokes into the show.
“On that set, all the funny really happened when those cameras weren’t rolling. When I told you we were cold, it was bad. Like the way we used to crack. I used to be around a lot of gay men as well. So, my reads and my cracks were quick. It was bad. And it was vicious,” she said.
Her comments were in response to Lennox’s public statements that watching Martin resurfaced feelings about colorism and jokes directed at darker-skinned women.
Arnold also suggested that personal experiences beyond the series itself may shape viewers’ reactions to the show. Arnold said if Lennox felt hurt watching Martin, she might want to reflect on “the messages she received from her family and friends during that time,” rather than placing the full weight of those feelings on Martin.
Lennox, a Grammy-winning R&B singer, previously spoke about colorism in Black media during podcast interviews and on social media. She cited Martin as one example that affected her as a viewer.
Martin, which aired on Fox from 1992 to 1997, has often been praised for centering Black humor and culture while also facing retrospective criticism over some of its jokes. Arnold played Pamela James across all five seasons of the show.
Martin Lawrence has said in past interviews that the character’s confidence and refusal to be diminished were central to her portrayal, even when jokes landed harshly.
End Of The Swipe: Unserious NYC Commuters Bid Farewell To the Iconic MetroCard
For over three decades, the high-pitched zip of a plastic card hitting a turnstile served as the unofficial heartbeat of the New York City subway. But as of Jan. 1, 2026, the gold-hued MetroCard officially followed the brass token into the annals of transit history.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completed its full transition to OMNY this week, the contactless “tap-and-go” system that now governs the city’s sprawling subway and bus network.
While the MetroCard was once a symbol of 1990s modernity, it has been outpaced by a world where commuters prefer to pay with a flick of a wrist or a smartphone.
When the MetroCard debuted in January 1994, it was a massive shift for a city that had relied on tokens since 1953. It wasn’t just a fare medium; it was a rite of passage. Perfecting the “Goldilocks” swipe—not too fast, not too slow—separated the seasoned straphanger from the bewildered tourist.
“MetroCards introduced a whole other level of thinking for New Yorkers,” said Jodi Shapiro, curator at the New York Transit Museum. The card became a canvas for the city’s soul, featuring everything from the Wu-Tang Clan and David Bowie to commemorative “Subway Series” editions.
Even political titans struggled with the transition. New Yorkers fondly remember Hillary Clinton’s infamous five-swipe struggle in the Bronx during her 2016 campaign, a moment that proved that even for the powerful, the magnetic strip was a fickle master.
The shift to OMNY (One Metro New York) isn’t just about convenience; it’s about the bottom line. The MTA expects the transition to save at least $20 million annually in maintenance and card production costs.
For the average rider, the perks are practical. The system features automatic fare capping, ensuring that no matter how much you ride, you won’t pay more than $35 a week—a cap that remains even as the base fare rises to $3 this month.
In true, slightly unhinged New York fashion, the card didn’t go quietly. Unserious commuters marked the retirement with a level of theater usually reserved for Broadway openings. Social media was flooded with “funerals” for the golden card, featuring straphangers holding mock wakes at turnstiles and pouring out lukewarm coffee in memoriam. There were reports of riders performing dramatic final swipes with the solemnity of a Viking burial.
In contrast, others attempted to “canonize” their last card by framing it next to a crumpled 2004 pizza rat meme. It was a peak display of New York’s signature brand of being with the sh*ts and being unserious: spending three decades cursing at a magnetic strip only to throw it a jazz funeral the moment it’s gone.
NYC subway riders held a symbolic funeral for the iconic MetroCards as the city moves to a one tap system. I started my own NYC journey with these cards too. An era ends, nostalgia remains. 🚇🗽pic.twitter.com/rq9pNRp5Zk
However, the sunset of the swipe isn’t without its critics. While over 90% of riders have already embraced the tap, some “legacy” users feel left behind.
“It’s hard for the elders,” said Ronald Minor, 70, a Manhattan resident who finds the new digital vending machines more cumbersome than the old booths. “Don’t push us aside and make it like we don’t count.”
The decision to forego the beloved MetroCard came last March with the MTA warning its riders that a change was coming.
“It’s the end of an era: MetroCard sales will end on December 31, 2025 as part of our transition to contactless fare payment for subway and buses. Tap-and-go fare payment is already accepted on all subways and buses, and can be used by students, Fair Fares recipients, and Reduced-Fare customers. You can tap to pay with your contactless credit or debit card, digital wallet, or with an OMNY card. Don’t wait—start tapping today! MetroCards will continue to be accepted into 2026,” the caption stated on the X app.
It’s the end of an era: MetroCard sales will end on December 31, 2025 as part of our transition to contactless fare payment for subway and buses.
Tap-and-go fare payment is already accepted on all subways and buses, and can be used by students, Fair Fares recipients, and… pic.twitter.com/JnYJVGzgMX
For those wary of digital tracking or those without smartphones, the MTA is offering a physical, reloadable OMNY card.
And while you can no longer buy a MetroCard, the MTA will allow riders to burn through their remaining balances well into 2026, providing a slow fade for the card that defined a generation of New York commuting.
U.S. Launches Shock Strikes On Venezuela As Trump Claims Maduro Captured In Overnight Raid
Moscow and Tehran both condemned the strikes, calling for an emergency response from the United Nations Security Council.
The United States launched large-scale military strikes on Venezuela on Jan. 3, with President Donald Trump announcing that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and flown out of the country. Explosions were reported across Caracas and other parts of the nation, marking one of the most dramatic escalations in U.S.-Venezuela relations in decades.
According to U.S. officials, the operation involved elite American forces, including the Army’s Delta Force. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and other U.S. warships had been positioned in the Caribbean amid heightened tensions, CNN reports. In recent weeks, U.S. forces also seized oil tankers off Venezuela’s coast and carried out strikes on vessels and dock facilities the Trump administration says were linked to drug trafficking networks.
Trump confirmed the strikes and the capture of Maduro in a social media post. According to Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) on X, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated Maduro would be brought to the United States to face criminal charges related to drug trafficking and alleged ties to criminal organizations. The administration has repeatedly accused Maduro of collaborating with gangs designated as narco-terrorist groups, allegations the Venezuelan leader has consistently denied, CBS News reports.
Inside Venezuela, the situation remained chaotic and unclear. Venezuela Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government did not know the whereabouts of Maduro or the first lady and accused the United States of causing deaths among officials, military personnel, and civilians. Journalists on the ground reported multiple explosions in Caracas beginning around 1:50 a.m. local time, with power outages affecting parts of the capital.
The international reaction was swift and negative. Russia called for immediate clarification from Washington and warned that forcibly removing a head of state would represent a serious violation of national sovereignty. Moscow and Tehran both condemned the strikes, describing them as acts of armed aggression and calling for an emergency response from the United Nations Security Council.
The European Union’s top diplomat said the bloc was closely monitoring developments and emphasized the need to respect international law and the UN Charter. Several European governments confirmed they were monitoring the safety of their citizens in Venezuela while keeping their embassies operational.
