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Tag: Trump

Colombian President Petro Denounces Trump’s Drug Claims, Warns Against US Military Action

Wale busari03 mins

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s accusations and warned that any attempt at military intervention in Colombia could spark widespread resistance. Trump had threatened Colombia following a US strike on Venezuela aimed at removing President Nicolás Maduro, accusing Petro of running a cocaine operation. Speaking on Air Force One, Trump said Colombia is “very sick” and called Petro “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” adding, “He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long.” Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, denied the allegations, posting on X: “I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco. Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me.” He also warned that any US attack would have serious consequences. “If they bomb, the campesinos will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people,” Petro said. Petro, who previously belonged to the M-19 guerrilla group, later helped draft Colombia’s 1991 constitution, served as a lawmaker, and became mayor of Bogotá before being elected president. “I swore not to touch a weapon again … but for the homeland I will take up arms again,” he added. In response to the escalating tensions, Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced. While some right-wing opposition figures in Colombia have sided with Trump, political leaders across the spectrum have rejected the idea of a US attack. Relations between Colombia and the US have already been strained: the US revoked Petro’s visa in September after he urged American soldiers to disobey illegal orders and imposed financial sanctions on him, his wife, and key aides in October. Meanwhile, the US has bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and conducted strikes on suspected drug boats near Venezuela and off Colombia’s Pacific coast.

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US Takes Temporary Control Of Venezuela After Capture Of President Nicolás Maduro

Wale busari02 mins

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will temporarily oversee Venezuela’s affairs following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Speaking during an NBC News special report, Trump stated, “We are going to run the country until a safe, proper, and judicious transition. We don’t want to be involved in someone else getting in with the same situation.” He stressed that U.S. involvement would only last until a legitimate transition of power is achieved. Although no timeline was provided, Trump said the intervention is aimed at ensuring stability and an orderly transfer of authority to new Venezuelan leadership. The announcement followed what Trump described as a major U.S. military operation in Caracas late Friday night and early Saturday, carried out under his direct authorization. “Overwhelming air, land, and sea forces were used to launch a spectacular assault,” he said in a separate White House address, adding that it was a strike unlike anything “people haven’t seen since World War II.” According to Trump, the operation targeted a heavily fortified military stronghold in the heart of the Venezuelan capital to bring what he described as the “outlaw dictator,” Nicolás Maduro, to justice. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during the operation. Both are expected to be transferred to the Southern District of New York, where they will face multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.

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BREAKING: US Executes Strike On Venezuela, Captures President Maduro And Wife

Wale busari02 mins

President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that the United States carried out a major strike against Venezuela, resulting in the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country.” CNN reporters in Caracas observed multiple explosions and heard aircraft flying overhead in the early hours of Saturday. Several areas of the city experienced power outages following the blasts, with the first explosion recorded around 1:50 a.m. local time (12:50 a.m. ET). In recent weeks, Trump had repeatedly warned that the US was preparing action against alleged Venezuelan drug trafficking networks, stating that strikes on land would commence “soon.” His campaign against Maduro has already targeted over 30 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean as part of a counter-narcotics operation. Last month, Trump also imposed a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. Earlier, in December, the CIA reportedly carried out a drone strike on a coastal port facility in Venezuela, marking the first known US attack inside the country, CNN reported, citing sources.

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Trump Vows US Action If Iran Harms Protesters

Wale busari04 mins

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran not to harm peaceful protesters, saying the United States “will come to their rescue” if they do. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump wrote: “If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” He did not provide specifics on any potential action. The statement drew a quick response from Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani warned that any US interference would destabilise the Middle East and undermine American interests. The warning comes amid ongoing protests across Iran sparked by worsening economic conditions. At least six people were reported killed on Thursday, according to semi-official media and human rights groups. Hengaw, a Kurdish rights organisation, said two of those killed in Lordegan were protesters, identified as Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh. Fars news agency reported additional deaths in Azna and Kouhdasht, though it did not clarify whether victims were protesters or security personnel. Video footage circulating on social media shows clashes between protesters and security forces, with cars set on fire in several cities including Lordegan, Tehran, and Marvdasht. BBC Persian has verified some of these clips. The protests began in Tehran on Sunday when shopkeepers demonstrated against a sharp drop in the value of the rial against the US dollar. By Tuesday, university students had joined in, and demonstrations spread to multiple cities, with many chanting against Iran’s clerical leadership. Some protesters have called for an end to Supreme Leader Khamenei’s rule, while others expressed support for a return to monarchy. Iranian officials reported a security personnel death on Wednesday in Kouhdasht, though protesters claim the individual was shot by authorities. The demonstrations are the largest since the 2022 nationwide uprising triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in custody, though they have not reached the same scale. President Masoud Pezeshkian said he is willing to listen to the “legitimate demands” of the protesters, while Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned that any attempt to create instability would be met with a “decisive response.” The situation has heightened tensions internationally, with Trump’s warning and Tehran’s response underscoring the risk of a wider conflict.

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Asari Dokubo Insists US Airstrikes In Sokoto Hit Empty Land, Demands Proof Of Terrorist Casualties

Wale busari02 mins

Former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo has rejected claims that United States airstrikes in Sokoto State killed bandits, describing the operation as ineffective and misleading. Asari said the strikes achieved nothing, insisting the missiles were dropped on vacant land and did not hit any criminal targets. He alleged that the operation involved only drones and questioned the authenticity of the entire exercise. In a video shared on X, he challenged the Nigerian government to provide concrete evidence that at least one terrorist was eliminated during the airstrikes. He also maintained that Nigeria’s status as a sovereign nation makes it impossible for US soldiers to be deployed on its territory. Asari further stated that he is not intimidated by the United States or its president, arguing that the strikes only exposed innocent civilians to danger rather than weakening bandit groups. “The US army strike in Sokoto did not harm any bandits. They only dropped bombs in an open field, endangering the lives of innocent people. Do you think I’m afraid of President Donald Trump?”

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U.S Trump confirms Multiple Airstrikes in North-West Nigeria Targeting Terror Cells

Fola Badmus02 mins

The United States has confirmed carrying out a military airstrike against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Nigeria, following an order by U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement released on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump said U.S. forces conducted what he described as “powerful and deadly” strikes on ISIS elements operating in northwest Nigeria. According to him, the operation was aimed at degrading the group’s capacity after repeated attacks on civilians in the region. Trump stated that the strike was carried out on Christmas Day and authorised directly by him as Commander-in-Chief. He accused ISIS militants of targeting innocent civilians, particularly Christians, and warned that further violence would attract stronger responses. While confirming the operation, U.S. officials have not released detailed information on the specific locations targeted or casualty figures. The U.S. military also said the action was part of broader efforts to counter terrorist threats and prevent extremist groups from gaining ground in West Africa. Reports indicate that the strike was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, marking a notable escalation in U.S. military involvement against extremist groups operating within Nigeria. Nigerian authorities are yet to issue an official statement detailing the impact of the strike, as investigations and assessments continue.

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Niger Imposes Indefinite Entry Ban On US Citizens Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Wale busari02 mins

Niger has imposed an indefinite ban on United States citizens, suspending all visa issuance and barring entry for Americans with immediate effect. The restrictions cover all forms of travel, including diplomatic, business, humanitarian, and tourist visits, heightening diplomatic tensions between Niamey and Washington. Authorities in Niger cited reciprocity and national sovereignty as the reasons for the move, pointing to what they described as recent hostile and punitive actions by the United States. No timeframe has been provided for a potential review or lifting of the ban. The decision comes amid strained relations between Niger and several Western countries following political upheavals in the Sahel nation. These tensions have already resulted in sanctions, aid suspensions, and changes to security and diplomatic partnerships. In recent months, Niger has sought to pivot its foreign policy away from traditional Western allies, strengthening ties with non-Western nations. Experts warn the ban could significantly affect humanitarian organisations, development agencies, and international bodies that rely on US personnel, while also complicating security and diplomatic cooperation in a region facing insurgency and political instability. The United States has not yet issued an official response, though officials are expected to raise concerns through diplomatic channels. Niger, however, insists the ban will remain in effect indefinitely, signalling a more assertive stance in its international relations.

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Trump Recalls US Ambassador to Nigeria Alongside Several Career Diplomats

Wale busari03 mins

US President Donald Trump has recalled US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills, along with multiple other career diplomats, from their ambassadorial assignments. According to Politico, the move is aimed at aligning US diplomatic representation with Trump’s “America First” agenda. A State Department official confirmed that the recalled ambassadors, initially appointed during the Biden administration, will conclude their tenures in January. While the diplomats may return to Washington for other roles, their postings as chiefs of mission will end. Africa has been the most affected region, with ambassadors from 13 countries—including Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda—among those recalled. Other affected regions include the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. The State Department described the recalls as a routine process in any administration, emphasizing that ambassadors serve at the president’s discretion to advance policy priorities. “An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda,” the statement said. Officials stressed that the diplomats are not losing their foreign service positions and can continue to serve in other capacities within the department. Nonetheless, the sudden departures are expected to require adjustments in embassy operations and diplomatic initiatives in the affected nations. The recall of the US ambassador to Nigeria comes amid growing attention on US-Africa relations and has prompted concern from some lawmakers and the American Foreign Service Association. For Nigeria, the envoy’s departure marks a significant shift in diplomatic engagement at a time when the country is a key partner in regional security, economic collaboration, and development projects.

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