On Monday, Trump told reporters he thought he would have the “honour of taking Cuba.”

“I do believe I’ll be … having the honour of taking Cuba. That would be good. That’s a big honour,” he said during an executive order signing at the White House.

On Tuesday, Díaz-Canel said the U.S. would face “unbreakable resistance” if it attempted a takeover.

In a post on X, Díaz-Canel said the U.S. publicly threatened Cuba, almost daily, to overthrow the constitutional order by force.

“This is the only way to explain the fierce economic war being waged as collective punishment against the entire people.”

For weeks, Trump has been repeating that Cuba is on the brink of collapse.

Under Trump, Washington has increased economic pressure on Cuba, aiming to cut off the flow of foreign currency and oil to the Caribbean island.

The pressure intensified after U.S. authorities carried out an operation in January in which Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, was arrested in the capital Caracas and taken to the U.S.

The move deprived Havana of one of its most important allies, which had long supported the island, particularly through oil supplies, amid the decades-long U.S. trade embargo with Cuba.

Currently, Cuba is in one of its most severe economic crises since the revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959.

Source: dpa/NAN

READ ALSO: 

Fragments of tragedy, By Funke Egbemode

CAF awards AFCON 2025 final to Morocco after Senegal forfeiture

Bootstrapping is good, but how far can it take you?

Eid-el-Fitr: FG declares Thursday, Friday public holidays

‘Behind The Scenes’ emerges highest grossing Nollywood film in UK, Ireland

Oshoffa condemns illegal seminaries in CCC

Explosions: Move to Maiduguri, Tinubu directs service chiefs

ILCS leadership visits Oyo Head of Service, seeks collaboration

Police confirm 23 deaths, 108 injured in Maiduguri’s bomb blasts

Olókùnkùn of Òkùnkùn-Birimu, By Lanre Ogundipe

Workplace legacy for smart career/business professionals

Naira gains N8.46 at official market

Explosion: Police deploy EOD to UMTH, Monday Market

Nigeria’s inflation rate eases to 15.06% in February –NBS

The post Cuba’s president fires back at Trump over takeover remarks appeared first on Frontpageng.

The United States has threatened to impose tariffs on any country providing oil to Cuba, increasing pressure on the island nation following a decades-long trade embargo and the U.S. seizure of Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro in January.

Venezuela had been the main supplier of oil to Havana but Washington has been ratcheting up pressure on Cuba in recent weeks.

The pressure includes an executive order on Jan. 29  threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba, including Mexico.

“I can tell you that the Secretary-General is extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Cuba, which will worsen, and if not collapse, if its oil needs go unmet,”  UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement.

The UN chief noted that the General Assembly has been calling for an end to the U.S. embargo for more than three decades.

”The Secretary-General urges all parties to pursue dialogue and respect for international law.

“The fuel crisis has pushed up food prices for Cubans, led to severe fuel shortages and major power cuts throughout the country.

“Clearly what we see now, especially after the recent events in Venezuela, is a combination of emotions,” Francisco Pichon the most senior United Nations official in Cuba, said.

He, however, described “a mix of resilience, but also grief, sorrow and indignation, and some concern about the regional developments.”

Thirty-two Cubans were killed in Venezuela on  January 3 in the U.S. operation to capture Maduro, according to official figures.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

NCC, NDPC sign MoU to advance data protection in telecom sector

Election day workers are silent casualties of Nigeria’s polls –Yilwatda

S’West clerics call for unity, declare Feb 18 as first day of Ramadan

Again, EFCC witness says no transaction linked to Yahaya Bello in exhibits

Troops dislodge IPOB/ESN fighters, nab kidnap suspects in S’East 

Three die in road crash on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

BREAKING: INEC registers DLA, NDC as new political parties

Nasarawa: Police rescue two kidnap victims, detain suspect

Equities market records historic N1.37trn single-day gain

Lagos Assembly begins audit of 57 LGAs, LCDAs accounts

Posting someone’s intimate image online is an offence punishable by law

The post UN warns of possible humanitarian ‘collapse’ in Cuba appeared first on Frontpageng.

The “outrageous use of force against Venezuela” by the United States and the demand that the country should manage its oil resources according to the “America first” principle constitute harassment, violate international law, and harm the rights of the Venezuelan people, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

Venezuela has full sovereignty over its mineral resources and economic activities, Mao continued, stressing that China’s rights and interests in the country must also be protected.

China is a key ally of Venezuela and the largest buyer of the South American country’s oil.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, Trump said Venezuela’s interim government would hand over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of “sanctioned oil” to the U.S.

The U.S. president said he would control the proceeds to ensure they were used “to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.”

The U.S. attacked targets in Venezuela on Saturday, seizing authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores, over alleged drug offences and removing them from the country.

After the operation, Trump said that the U.S. would temporarily run Venezuela.

The U.S. president had previously highlighted the economic potential of the country’s oil industry, stating that major U.S. oil companies would invest in repairing infrastructure and developing production.

Source: dpa/NAN

READ ALSO:

Court admits Malami, wife, son to N500m bail each

My first prophecy of the year, By Funke Egbemode

WEATHER FORECAST: NiMet predicts nationwide haze, sunshine

Lagos growth trajectory stems from its ‘unique’ identity stories —Sanwo-Olu

EXTRA: Lookman–Osimhen: Ambition caught between two stools

Police confirm kidnap of journalist in Kaduna

Police rescue four abducted children in Nasarawa

Nursing mother, child abducted in Ondo 

PDP leaders meet Jonathan, give details

Nigeria records 4m international passenger movements in 2024

Tinubu appoints first female D-G of Nigerian Law School

Young adults hit hardest in 1,119 Lassa fever cases –NCDC

Niger State attack: UN calls for protection of civilians, schools

EXTRA: Osimhen, let your past be your guide

The post China slams Trump’s plan to control Venezuela’s oil as illegal move appeared first on Frontpageng.

Maduro is in a New York detention center awaiting a Monday court appearance on drug charges, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered his removal and said the U.S. would take control of Venezuela.

But in Caracas, top officials in Maduro’s government, who have called the detentions of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores a kidnapping, were still in charge.

“Here, the unity of the revolutionary force is more than guaranteed, and here there is only one president, whose name is Nicolas Maduro Moros. Let no one fall for the enemy’s provocations,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said in an audio shared by the ruling PSUV socialist party on Sunday as he urged calm.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez – who also serves as oil minister – has taken over as interim leader with the blessing of Venezuela’s top court, though she has said Maduro remains president.

Because of her connections with the private sector and her deep knowledge of oil, the country’s top source of revenue, Rodriguez has long been considered the most pragmatic member of Maduro’s inner circle, but she has publicly contradicted Trump on his claims she is willing to work with the U.S.

The Venezuelan government has said for months that Trump’s pressure campaign is an effort to take possession of the country’s vast natural resources, especially its oil, and officials have made much of Trump’s Saturday comments on the subject, when he said major U.S. oil companies would move in.

“We are outraged because in the end everything was revealed — it was revealed that they only want our oil,” added Cabello, who has close ties to the military.

Venezuela’s state-run oil company PDVSA is asking some of its joint ventures to cut back crude output by shutting down oilfields or groups of wells amid an export paralysis, three sources close to the decision told Reuters.

Oil exports from the OPEC country remain at a standstill since the U.S. last month announced a blockade on sanctioned tankers moving in and out of Venezuelan waters and the seizure of two oil cargoes.

Once one of the most prosperous nations in Latin America, Venezuela’s economy nosedived further under Maduro, sending about one in five Venezuelans abroad in one of the world’s biggest exoduses.

Source: Reuters

READ ALSO: 

Tinubunomics and the arithmetic of illusion, By Tanimu Yakubu

A defining moment for Nigeria: Why staying the course matters

Kaduna-Abuja road gridlock: FRSC, Army on ground

Boiling Point: Kukah leads discourse on fixing Nigeria next Sunday

Year 2025 in retrospect…, By Bolanle Bolawole

NDLEA intercepts illicit drugs in coffee sachets, detains 22 Indians over cocaine shipment

Wanted female drug kingpin, ‘Mama Kerosine’, arrested in Ibadan

25 dead, 14 missing in Yobe boat mishap

Troops neutralise over 23 bandits in Kano-Katsina onslaught

AU expresses concern over situation in Venezuela

The post Venezuela’s interim govt says it remains united behind Maduro after his U.S. capture appeared first on Frontpageng.

The African continental body disclosed this in a communique issued via its website: https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260103/communique-situation-venezuela on Saturday night, against the backdrop of the situation in Venezuela.

According to the communique, the AU followed with grave concern the recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including reports of Maduro’s abduction and military attacks on Venezuelan institutions.

“The AU reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of States, their territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination.”

This, according to the AU, is as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

The organisation further underscored the importance of dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for constitutional, and institutional frameworks, in a spirit of good neighbourliness, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence among nations.

“The AU emphasises that the complex internal challenges facing Venezuela can only be sustainably addressed through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.

“The AU expresses its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reiterates its commitment to the promotion of peace, stability, and mutual respect among nations and regions.

“The AU calls upon all parties concerned to exercise restraint, responsibility, and respect for international law to prevent any escalation and to preserve regional peace and stability,” it said.

As at the time of filing this report, the Constitutional Chamber of Venezuela’s Supreme Court had ordered that Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez assume the role of acting-president of the country in the absence of Maduro being detained in an operation by U.S. forces.

The court ruling disclosed that Rodríguez would assume the office of Venezuela President, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the nation.

Also the court will debate the matter to determine the applicable legal framework to guarantee continuity of the State, administration of government, and defence of sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of the country’s president.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

Resident doctors to resume suspended strike Jan 12

Police arrest mother, son over alleged conspiracy, money ritual

Army identifies key coordinator of Maiduguri mosque bombing

Gunmen kidnap medical doctor, brother in Edo

US actions in Venezuela, ‘dangerous precedent’ -UN

Naira opens year 2026 higher with N4.90 gain at official market

Distinguishing between Federal Government Revenue and the Federation Account

Cervical cancer preventable and curable –UN

INTIMATE AFFAIR: Why don’t men like men’s world again?

Imprisoned by ambition: Peter Obi’s reckless misreading of politics and power

Court admits Bauchi finance commissioner to N500m bail

Court gives date for ruling in Malami, wife, son’s bail application

The post AU expresses concern over situation in Venezuela appeared first on Frontpageng.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Stéphane Dujarric, UN spokesperson, on Saturday in New York.

Guterres said he is “deeply alarmed” over the standoff between the United States and Venezuela in recent months, which culminated in Saturday’s reported capture of Maduro.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the military action on his Truth social media.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country.

“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow,” Trump posted.

Similarly, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and his wife would face “the full wrath of American justice on American soil, in American courts.”

Maduro was indicted in 2020 in New York during the first Trump administration.

The U.S. operation on Saturday began with overnight strikes in and around the capital, Caracas.

Venezuela has declared a state of national emergency, with casualty figures and the extent of the damage yet to be confirmed.

The Venezuelan government denounced the act of “extremely serious military aggression” by the U.S., which followed months of increasing tension.

This included a major military build up off the Venezuela coast and a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats.

The U.S. has ordered the seizure of sanctioned oil tankers in recent weeks amid threats that it would launch land operations to force Maduro out of office.

“The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today’s United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region.”

“Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent.

“The Secretary-General continues to emphasise the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the UN Charter,” the statement added.

“He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected.”

Guterres called on all parties involved to engage in “inclusive dialogue” in accordance with human rights and international law.

Venezuela has formally asked the Security Council to meet in emergency session in New York.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

Naira opens year 2026 higher with N4.90 gain at official market

Distinguishing between Federal Government Revenue and the Federation Account

Cervical cancer preventable and curable –UN

INTIMATE AFFAIR: Why don’t men like men’s world again?

Imprisoned by ambition: Peter Obi’s reckless misreading of politics and power

Court admits Bauchi finance commissioner to N500m bail

Court gives date for ruling in Malami, wife, son’s bail application

Troops foil bandits’ incursion into Shanono communities in Kano

Hadiza Bala-Usman at 50: Tinubu applauds her achievements

AFCON 2025: Lookman, Chelle shine as Nigeria feature in group stage Best XI

The post US actions in Venezuela, ‘dangerous precedent’ -UN appeared first on Frontpageng.

The deployment, which adds to the eight warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft already in the region, marks a significant escalation amid heightened tensions with Venezuela, whose government Washington has long accused of harboring drug traffickers and undermining democratic institutions.

“The enhanced U.S. force presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell posted on X.

He did not specify when the carrier would be moving to the region, but as of a few days ago, the carrier was travelling via the Strait of Gibraltar and in Europe.

The Ford, which was commissioned in 2017, is the United States’ newest aircraft carrier and the world’s largest, with more than 5,000 sailors aboard.

The U.S. military has carried out 10 strikes against alleged drug vessels, mostly in the Caribbean, since early September, killing about 40 people.

While the Pentagon has not given much information, it has said some of those killed were Venezuelan.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly alleged that the U.S. is hoping to drive him from power.

On Thursday, Maduro warned that if the U.S. ever intervened in the country, “the working class would rise and a general insurrectional strike would be declared in the streets until power is regained,” adding that “millions of men and women with rifles would march across the country.”

Washington in August doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminal groups that Maduro denies.

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela’s neighbor, Colombia, have also spiked in recent days, with Trump accusing Colombian President Gustavo Petro of being an “illegal drug leader” and a “bad guy” – language Petro’s government says is offensive.

“These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle (transnational criminal organizations),” Parnell said.

Trump has authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations in Venezuela.

READ ALSO: 

INTIMATE AFFAIRS: When your son-in-law beats your daughter

Gbenga Adeyinka presents ‘The Last Show’ of 2025

BREAKING: Tinubu appoints Oluyede as new CDS, sacks other service chiefs

EXTRA: Regina Daniels’ travails as a national tragedy

Lagos Women Run names Oduwole as ambassador

Protecting your family from disputes when you are gone

Just hours after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the carrier deployment, the Trump administration announced that it was imposing sanctions on Petro, citing alleged illicit drugs.

INCREASING MILITARY BUILDUP

Trump has said that his Republican administration plans to brief the U.S. Congress on operations against drug cartels and that even though he did not need a declaration of war, operations against cartels on land would be next.

On Friday, Hegseth announced that the latest strike against an alleged drug vessel killed six suspected “narco-terrorists” in the Caribbean.

The strikes have raised alarms among some legal experts and Democratic lawmakers, who question whether they adhere to the laws of war.

Some Republican lawmakers cheered the carrier deployment.

“President Trump is not messing around when it comes to protecting the U.S. and our Western Hemisphere neighborhood,” U.S. Representative Rick Crawford of Arkansas posted on X.

Last week, Reuters was first to report that two alleged drug traffickers survived a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean.

They were rescued and taken to a U.S. Navy warship before being repatriated to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador.

With only 11 aircraft carriers in the U.S. military’s arsenal, they are a scarce resource and their schedules are usually set well in advance.

Last year, the USS George Washington deployed to South America, but that was scheduled well in advance and was part of an exercise.

The Ford carrier, which includes a nuclear reactor, can hold more than 75 military aircraft, including fighter aircraft like the F-18 Super Hornet jets and the E-2 Hawkeye, which can act as an early warning system.

It has an arsenal of missiles, like the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, a medium-range, surface-to-air missile used to counter drones and aircraft.

The Ford also includes sophisticated radars that can help control air traffic and navigation.

The supporting ships, such as the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser Normandy, Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, and Roosevelt, include surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Source: Reuters

The post US to escalate military presence in South America with aircraft carrier group appeared first on Frontpageng.