
Washington meeting aims to mend US–Colombia rupture after year of sanctions and threats
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Colombian forces eliminate Gulf Clan operatives ahead of Petro-Trump White House talks
Colombian security units carried out an operation that left five alleged Gulf Clan members dead and two detained, including a regional leader connected to violence on the Caribbean coast. The strike comes days before a scheduled meeting between Presidents Gustavo Petro and Donald Trump focused on curbing cocaine flows and broader bilateral security cooperation.

US Chargé d’Affaires Laura Dogu Arrives in Caracas as Washington Moves to Rebuild Ties with Venezuela
Laura F. Dogu’s arrival in Caracas is a visible first step in a deliberate, two-track U.S. strategy that pairs increased coercive pressure with a phased diplomatic reengagement. Her presence accompanies plans for a small intelligence foothold, conditional U.S.-managed oil sales that route dollars through U.S. accounts, and a cautious push to restore consular and commercial ties amid legal, security, and political risks.

Colombia, Venezuela Make Headway on Cross‑Border Natural Gas Deal
Colombian and Venezuelan officials met in Caracas and reached progress on supplying natural gas to Colombia to address a widening domestic deficit. Discussions also advanced plans to upgrade shared infrastructure — notably a pipeline corridor and connecting power lines — that would enable higher cross‑border energy flows.

U.S. Signals Readiness to Use Military Pressure on Venezuela While Reopening Diplomatic Channels
Senior U.S. officials will tell lawmakers that military options remain available if Venezuela’s interim leaders do not meet U.S. demands, even as Washington moves to normalize relations by increasing embassy staffing and welcoming recent prisoner releases. Behind the public posture, U.S. planners are also preparing a covert intelligence footprint to vet new leaders, gather actionable reporting, and shape conditions for a broader diplomatic and commercial return.

Cuba Offers Limited Talks with U.S. on Practical Issues, Rejects Any Discussion of Regime Change
Cuba says it will engage Washington on narrow, operational issues — such as regional security and counter‑narcotics — but will not discuss changes to its political system. U.S. measures to restrict fuel supplies, backed by a legal pathway to penalize outside suppliers, have already tightened flows (Mexico recently shelved a planned shipment) and left Cuba with only an estimated two to three weeks of refined‑fuel reserves.

Carney Pivots Canada’s Trade Strategy After Tensions With Washington
After a targeted tariff trimming compact with Beijing drew an explicit threat of punitive tariffs from Washington, Canada’s prime minister told U.S. leaders he will press ahead with a rapid program to diversify markets. The plan centers on roughly a dozen new agreements, short-term tactical tariff moves and a 10-year goal to materially shrink reliance on the U.S. market.

US Southern Command leader makes surprise visit to Venezuela
A newly arrived US Southern Command commander made an unannounced trip to Venezuela, meeting American service members and interim Venezuelan officials. The visit appears operationally focused—part of a broader US push that pairs stepped-up maritime enforcement and covert intelligence activities with incremental diplomatic re-engagement to tighten pressure on illicit maritime routes and Venezuelan revenue streams.

After U.S. raid on Maduro, Venezuela teeters between fear and a tentative economic reset
A U.S. operation that removed Nicolás Maduro has left Venezuelans balancing dread and guarded optimism as interim authorities open the oil sector and Washington moves to reestablish a limited on‑the‑ground presence. Short‑term liquidity measures — including a reported ~$500 million sale of previously sanctioned barrels routed through U.S.-managed accounts — and congressional changes to hydrocarbons law create openings for investment, but structural constraints and political mistrust make any recovery fragile.