Maduro joins Iraq’s Saddam, Panama’s Noriega as latest leader taken by US
Al Jazeera
The reported capture of Venezuelan president evokes previous eras when other leaders were seized by US.
President Donald Trump’s claim that the United States has captured his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro and his wife amid “large scale” attacks on Venezuela, has stunned the world.
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez says the government does not know the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
In an audio message broadcast on state television on Saturday, Rodriguez said the government was demanding proof that Maduro and Flores are still alive.
The rapidly escalating developments follow repeated deadly strikes by US forces in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean on what Washington claims are drug-smuggling boats, and an attack on a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats.
The reported capture of Maduro evokes previous eras when other leaders, such as Panama’s former military leader Manuel Noriega and former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, were seized by the US.
The global rights group says erosion of health, safety in Gaza ‘a deliberate act of war targeting women and girls’.
Two Israeli air attacks hit Lebanon’s southern city of Tyre amid media reports Tel Aviv wants to expand buffer zone.
Expanding regional conflict shifts global attention as Gaza faces border closures, inflation and ‘ceasefire’ violations.
Images verified by Human Rights Watch show Israel fired white phosphorus in populated areas of southern Lebanon.
Mojtaba Khamenei will now be charged with leading Islamic Republic through the biggest crisis in its 47-year history.
Analysts say Israel’s actions in Lebanon, including mass displacement, are an effort to reshape the country.
The conflict has already led to the suspension of almost a fifth of global crude oil and natural gas supply.
Arab states in the Gulf and beyond that house US assets have been targeted in Iranian retaliatory strikes in the war.
Explosions shake Iran as US-Israel attacks intensify, marking eight days of conflict and retaliation from Iran.
Yemen’s Houthi leadership cautious, fearing Israeli retaliation following past air strikes and leadership losses.
Footage shared by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman purportedly shows destruction in Shahid Hamedani School in Tehran.
Gulf countries face continued barrage of Iranian attacks as US, Israel pledge to continue military assault against Iran.
Officials say some water, electricity facilities damaged amid US-Israel bombing, but no widespread outages reported yet.