Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago have agreed to jointly explore offshore natural gas, aiming to boost domestic supply and expand exports to the Caribbean; negotiations had been previously stalled due to US sanctions

The release of over 200 political prisoners after disputed elections by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is seen as a positive gesture toward US President-elect Donald Trump

President Nicolás Maduro described Donald Trump’s election victory as a "new beginning" for US-Venezuela relations, suggesting an opportunity for "win-win" cooperation despite past tensions, and emphasized his openness to foreign investment

Venezuelan opposition party Voluntad Popular has accused state security forces of the abduction and murder of Edwin Santos, a founding member and leader; the party holds the Maduro regime and intelligence agencies responsible

The Venezuelan government has canceled the passports of dozens of journalists and human rights activists, as part of a broader crackdown on opposition following President Nicolás Maduro’s disputed re-election