Important Evening News Update: A World Destabilized
U.S. military operation captures Venezuelan President Maduro on drug charges; 40 killed in raid as tensions escalate over oil resources.
By Aaron Parnas•January 4, 2026•5 min read
Opinion & Commentary
Good evening everyone. There have been major developments today, from Venezuela and North Korea to Syria, along with significant updates here in the United States. It has been an extremely fast-moving and demanding news cycle, and more developments are expected this evening and throughout the overnight hours.
I will be actively monitoring the situation and will continue providing real-time updates as new information becomes available. In light of the pace and scope of events overnight, I am also looking to expand the team by bringing on individuals who can help monitor breaking news during late hours. If you are interested in supporting those efforts, please reach out.
Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured during a large-scale U.S. air, land, and sea military operation in Venezuela, flown to Stewart Air Force Base, and charged with narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and weapons offenses.
At least 40 people were killed in the attack on Venezuela, including military personnel and civilians, according to a Venezuelan official who spoke to the New York Times.
Delcy Rodríguez, the acting President of Venezuela, said on state TV that U.S. actions amounted to an attempted regime change aimed at seizing Venezuela’s oil and natural resources, adding that the country is prepared to defend them.
Protesters gathered in Times Square to demonstrate against U.S. military action in Venezuela.
Democratic lawmakers, including Chuck Schumer and Jack Reed, accused Donald Trump’s administration of misleading US Congress about plans for Venezuela, saying officials denied pursuing regime change or military action and warning that no clear plan or cost assessment had been presented.
According to CNN, sources in Venezuela’s opposition say they contacted governments worldwide after the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, with France, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, and Paraguay expressing support for “restoring the will of the people” in Venezuela.
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday after the United States attacked Venezuela and detained President Nicolás Maduro, transporting him toward New York to face federal drug trafficking and weapons charges.
Donald Trump said the U.S. plans to tap Venezuela’s vast oil reserves following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro, with U.S. oil companies expected to invest billions to rebuild infrastructure and expand production, a move that could reshape global energy markets.
Politico has confirmed that the Trump administration has privately told U.S. oil companies they must invest billions to rebuild Venezuela’s deteriorated oil infrastructure if they want compensation for assets seized under past governments, a condition that has left industry leaders wary amid uncertainty over leadership, security, and long-term plans following the capture of Maduro.
The Wall Street Journal confirmed that Wall Street firms are exploring potential investments in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, with financier Charles Myers planning a March trip with hedge fund and asset management executives to assess opportunities under a new government, as Donald Trump says the U.S. will temporarily run the country.
Other news updates:
Japan’s Defense Ministry reported a possible ballistic missile launch by North Korea, urging vessels to watch for updates, report debris to the Japan Coast Guard, and avoid approaching fallen objects.
Those around the White House are reiterating plans to retake Greenland:
Donald Trump is now reposting videos on Truth Social suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had Melissa Hortman assassinated.
Today is the day the Justice Department is required to explain to Congress why it made redactions in the Epstein files.
The United Kingdom and France have conducted a series of air strikes in Syria this evening on ISIS targets, per Bloomberg.
Hannah Dugan resigned after being convicted of felony obstruction for helping an immigrant evade federal officers, as Republicans moved toward impeachment and Tony Evers said he would promptly fill the vacancy, amid political fallout tied to Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
New disclosures about Donald Trump’s health — including taking a high daily dose of aspirin, undergoing a CT scan, limited sleep, and repeatedly touting cognitive test results — have fueled renewed scrutiny from medical experts, who warned about bleeding risks, unclear benefits of the imaging, and broader concerns about cardiovascular health as Trump seeks to downplay questions about his fitness for office
Donald Trump’s main super PAC, MAGA Inc., heads into the midterms with roughly $300 million cash on hand after raising more than $100 million in late 2025, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission, bolstered by major donations including $25 million from Greg Brockman of OpenAI and large contributions from cryptocurrency interests.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a sharp rise in flu cases in the United States in December following the most severe season since 2018, with over 3,100 deaths last year, prompting experts like Jennifer Nuzzo of Brown University to urge vaccination amid concerns about a new variant and reduced vaccine uptake after the CDC canceled its flu-shot campaign under Robert F Kennedy Jr’s leadership.
