Due to money laundering charges, the USA extradited Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman and one of the most powerful allies of President Nicolas Maduro, resulting in the Venezuelan government apprehending 5 US oil executives as a way of retaliation

Venezuela has accused the US of provoking conflict by seizing a fishing boat in its exclusive economic zone, amid rising tensions over US military patrols targeting drug cartels in the Caribbean

A US naval deployment near Venezuela has reignited regime change rumors, but past failed interventions have made many Venezuelans skeptical, while Maduro has responded by claiming to deploy 4,5 million militiamen and denouncing foreign threats

A vital economic lifeline has been regained as the US allowed Chevron to resume oil operations, reviving hopes for growth in a country whose economy has collapsed under years of sanctions and dependence on petroleum exports

The European Parliament has included Venezuela on the EU’s high-risk list for money laundering and terrorism financing, as it has faced increased scrutiny over financial transactions; the country rejected the measure as politically motivated