Hello,

Colombia’s president warned he would defend the country against any US intervention as tensions escalated following Washington’s operation in Venezuela, where an interim leader was sworn in after Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty in a US court.

This comes as the US signalled it would enforce an oil blockade rather than govern Venezuela, and China and South Korea moved to stabilise ties amid North Korean missile tests.

Read more below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇨🇴🇺🇸 Petro vows resistance amid Trump threats: Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he would defend the country if the United States carried out a violent intervention, citing recent threats from President Donald Trump following the US operation in Venezuela. Colombia’s foreign ministry condemned the remarks as unlawful interference, while Trump accused Petro of facilitating drug trafficking, a claim Petro denies.

2️⃣ 🇻🇪🇺🇸 Venezuela swears in interim leader as Maduro pleads not guilty: Venezuela’s parliament swore in Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president after Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty in a US court to multiple drug trafficking and terrorism-related charges while insisting he remained president. The move followed a US operation to seize Maduro, drew criticism at the UN, and was accompanied by rallies in Caracas and a scheduled future court hearing.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇻🇪 Rubio says US will not govern Venezuela: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would not run Venezuela following Nicolás Maduro’s removal but would continue enforcing an existing oil blockade to pressure policy changes. His comments contrasted with earlier statements by President Donald Trump, as interim leader Delcy Rodríguez later called for cooperation with the US under international law.

4️⃣ 🇻🇪🇺🇸 UN members condemn US action in Venezuela: Multiple countries criticised US strikes on Venezuela and the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, calling it a violation of sovereignty and international law. The US defended the operation as a law-enforcement action against an illegitimate leader, while the council took no collective action due to divisions.

5️⃣ 🇨🇳🇰🇷 China and South Korea seek closer ties amid tensions: China and South Korea agreed to deepen trade cooperation and coordinate on regional stability during President Lee Jae Myung’s first visit to Beijing, held as North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests. The talks also covered easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and expanding bilateral cooperation, with multiple economic and technology agreements signed.

Major Story

🇩🇰 Denmark warns US force over Greenland would end transatlantic security ties

Denmark’s prime minister warned that any United States military attempt to take Greenland would end decades of transatlantic security arrangements, after President Donald Trump renewed calls to annex the autonomous territory. The warning came as Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela revived concerns in Europe about US intentions toward Greenland. 

Trump said the United States needs Greenland for national security, while Greenland’s prime minister rejected annexation, called for an end to pressure, and said any dialogue must respect international law. Several European governments and the European Union backed Denmark, stating that borders cannot be changed by force.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇷🇺🇺🇦 Trump doubts claims of attack on Putin residence: US President Donald Trump said he does not believe Ukraine targeted Vladimir Putin’s residence, stating US officials reviewed available evidence and found no indication of a Ukrainian strike. Russia maintains a drone was downed near the property, a claim disputed by Ukraine and its allies amid ongoing fighting and diplomatic efforts.

2️⃣ 🇸🇾 Syrian government and Kurdish forces hold merger talks: Syrian officials met Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces commanders in Damascus to discuss integrating the group into the national army, though state media said no tangible progress was made. The talks follow a March agreement with unresolved disputes over how the SDF would be absorbed, and further meetings were agreed.

3️⃣ 🇺🇦 Zelenskyy reshuffles leadership as security chief resigns: Ukraine’s security service chief Vasyl Maliuk resigned amid a broad government and presidential office reshuffle following a major anti-corruption investigation, with Zelenskyy assigning him a continued role focused on operations against Russia. The changes included new appointments across intelligence and defence bodies and followed the resignation of former presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak.

4️⃣ 🇫🇷🇺🇸🇺🇦 Witkoff and Kushner to join Ukraine allies talks: US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will attend a meeting of Ukraine’s allies in Paris focused on ceasefire and post-war security arrangements, according to a French official. Around 27 leaders, NATO officials and military chiefs are expected to discuss ceasefire monitoring, security guarantees and long-term defence cooperation with Kyiv.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸 Hegseth censures Senator Mark Kelly: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a formal censure against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly and initiated proceedings that could reduce his retired military rank and pension, accusing him of undermining military discipline through statements urging troops to resist unlawful orders. Kelly rejected the allegations and said he would contest the action, while the Pentagon said the rank review and disciplinary process would proceed under military regulations.

Weekly Updates?

Want weekly updates as well as daily?

Subscribe to our sister publication Geopolitics Weekly here ⤵️

Our Shop

^{Support us:}

Patreon

^Products:

Ukraine Phone Wallpaper Pack

^{Books we recommend:}

Prisoners of Geography

The Revenge of Geography

The World: A Brief Introduction

The Shock Doctrine

Sea Power

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics