World News

Nearly 800,000 homes in Ukraine were left without electricity and heating Thursday morning after a Russian overnight attack on energy infrastructure, the country’s acting energy minister said, as power crews raced to restore service.

Artem Nekrasov said in comments published on the Ukrainian Energy Ministry’s official Telegram channel that the Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia regions were almost completely without power following the Russian strike.

"Repair work is ongoing to return light and heat to consumers as soon as possible," Nekrasov said.

RUSSIAN DRONE STRIKES TANKER IN UKRAINE’S ODESA AFTER ZELENSKYY CLOSES US GAS DEAL

Power has since been restored in the Zaporizhzhia region, while hundreds of thousands of homes in Dnipro remain without electricity and heat.

Ukrainian officials urged residents to limit the use of high-consumption electrical appliances to prevent renewed outages as repairs continue.

Nekrasov said adverse weather conditions also left parts of several other regions without power, including Chernihiv, Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia.

UK, FRANCE STRIKE NEW UKRAINE SECURITY PACT AS US TAKES LEAD IN CEASEFIRE ENFORCEMENT

The power outages are unfolding amid freezing temperatures in Kyiv, where forecasts show overnight lows under 20 degrees.

"There is absolutely no military rationale in such strikes on the energy sector and infrastructure that leave people without electricity and heating in wintertime," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday on X.

"This is Russia’s war specifically against our people, against life in Ukraine – an attempt to break Ukraine."

The strikes come just days after Zelenskyy met in Paris with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to discuss continued diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s nearly four-year war.

Zelenskyy said the talks focused on security guarantees, monitoring a potential ceasefire, and rebuilding Ukraine as part of a broader framework for peace.

FIRST ON FOX: The spate of kidnappings of Christians in north-central Nigeria by mostly Muslim Fulani militants is a deliberate tactic to target, bankrupt and destroy Christian communities, according to multiple sources who spoke to Fox News Digital.

"Kidnapping for ransom is a strategic aim of the Fulani militants," Steven Kerfas, lead researcher for the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), told Fox News Digital. He added, "They do it to fund their terrorism, but also to bankrupt the Christian community."

In Nigeria’s Middle Belt states, "these mass abductions are targeted," Kerfas said. "You have cases where 100 Christians will be marched into the forest and kept there for months. You know, they are forced to cough out ransoms they don't have, so they have to sell everything — [including] their farmland."

ALL 24 KIDNAPPED NIGERIAN SCHOOLGIRLS RESCUED AFTER ARMED ATTACK IN KEBBI, PRESIDENT SAYS

He continued, "They survive through this subsistence agriculture. Now you force them to sell the farmland that they are surviving on to pay ransom. So by the time you release them, what do they go back to? Nothing."

Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK — a global Christian charity supporting Christians persecuted for their faith, told Fox News Digital that, "The kidnapping for ransom epidemic in north-central Nigeria doesn’t just affect Christians, but it’s clear that they are disproportionately singled out."

In Nigeria, Open Doors states that 4,407 Christians were abducted in the north-central region between 2020 and 2025. When adjusted for relative population size, a Christian was 2.4 times more likely than a Muslim to be abducted, the organization claims.

Blyth said, "Tactics by kidnappers include raids on churches and schools… priests and pastors are singled out because they represent high-value targets. Families and friends are often forced to sell land, livestock and property to meet the kidnappers’ demands, and it can bankrupt families for generations," she said.

Blythe warned of the "horrific dilemma" Christians face: "Pay ransoms in the hope of saving lives, (knowing) that payment allows the attacks to continue, or refuse and risk their loved ones being slaughtered —sometimes families and communities pay the ransom, but it doesn’t lead to the kidnapped person being released alive."

International Christian Concern reported that a pastor who had been kidnapped in August of last year in north-central Nigeria, the Rev. James Audu Issa, was held for several weeks, and then killed – even though a ransom had been paid.

"In the (Nigerian) Middle Belt, they kidnap Christians, they kidnap the clergy, they abduct women. They hardly kidnap any Muslims," Nigerian lawyer Jabez Musa told Fox News Digital. Musa is a pseudonym, used to protect the lawyer’s identity.

TRUMP TARGETS ISIS IN NIGERIA AMID WARNINGS SAHEL REGION IS BECOMING ‘EPICENTER OF TERRORISM’

He said, "The reason for these ransom demands is to economically weaken Christians. That is the way Christians look at it."

The lawyer added, in April this past year one church, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), said they had to pay 300 million naira ($205,000) in ransom to kidnappers, for about 50 of their members who were kidnapped in Kaduna State and Plateau State. Payments such as these place an unbearable financial strain on the church and affected families."

Kerfas added, "The Fulani militants are on a jihad, and, of course, they need to fund that jihad. So the Christians being abducted have to cough out huge sums as ransoms."

Christian communities are in the majority in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. But the claimed goal of the Fulani militants of wiping out the Christian communities through kidnapping makes their future desperate and bleak.

Kerfas warned, "If you don't pay ransom, you get killed. And sometimes, even after paying the ransom, you still get killed."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Nigerian government but did not receive a response.

The seizure of a Russian-linked oil tanker in the North Atlantic has highlighted "worry" among NATO and Nordic-Baltic governments over dark fleet vessels and the type of crews onboard, according to a maritime intelligence analyst.

U.S. military and Coast Guard personnel boarded the Marinera between Iceland and the U.K. Wednesday as it operated under deceptive shipping practices, including flying a false flag and violating sanctions.

And according to Reuters, Russian authorities demanded the humane treatment and repatriation of the crew members.

Windward maritime intelligence analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann claimed the Marinera’s ownership had just been transferred to Burevestmarin LLC, a Russian company.

TREASURY TARGETS OIL TRADERS, TANKERS ACCUSED OF HELPING MADURO EVADE U.S. SANCTIONS

"We do not know the status of these sailors and seafarers, who are Russian nationals," Wiese Bockmann told Fox News Digital. 

"That lack of clarity is common with dark fleet tankers," she added.

"The Marinera did have its ownership transferred to a newly formed Russian company, with the registered owner, ship manager and commercial manager being Burevestmarin LLC," Wiese Bockmann clarified.

She also suggested NATO and the Nordic-Baltic 8+ group of governments have been "worried" about sanctioned oil tankers with unauthorized personnel onboard, including "armed guards."

WORLD’S BIGGEST OIL RESERVE HOLDER FACES US CHOKEHOLD AS TRUMP TARGETS VENEZUELA’S SHADOW TANKER FLEET

"Increasingly, and I know the Nordic Baltic 8+ governments are worried about the fact that you are having unauthorized people also on board, also known as armed guards," Wiese Bockmann said. "But it is highly irregular."

"Armed guards are rarely seen and typically used on ships that are transiting the Gulf of aden or the Red Sea and are therefore assessed as at risk from attack by houthis or pirates," she added.

Following the seizure, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected Russian demands for special treatment of the Marinera’s crew during her regular briefing Wednesday.

"This was a Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel that had transported sanctioned oil," Leavitt said.

"The vessel was deemed stateless after flying a false flag, and it had a judicial seizure order, and that’s why the crew will be subject to prosecution."

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was "closely following" the situation, according to the state-run TASS news agency.

US COAST GUARD PURSUES THIRD 'DARK FLEET' OIL TANKER AS TRUMP TARGETS VENEZUELAN SANCTIONS EVASION NETWORK

Wiese Bockmann noted that dark fleet crews are often multinational, typically involving a Russian master with Chinese, Indian or Filipino crew members.

"There is a blurring of commercial and military shipping around the dark fleet," she said. "What we’re seeing now is something that has really only emerged in the last six or seven months."

European authorities have also begun holding crews accountable, particularly when captains are "facilitating dangerous deceptive shipping practices, such as spoofing and going dark," she explained.

"The EU recently sanctioned the captain of a tanker who refused orders from the Estonian navy (Jaguar) to be stopped for inspection last May, and the French charged a captain over his refusal to comply with orders and failure to justify a flag’s nationality after authorities intercepted a dark fleet tanker in the Atlantic last October," Wiese Bockmann added.

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, a second vessel, the M. Sophia, was also boarded in international waters near the Caribbean while en route to Venezuela.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said this week that Jewish communities are safer in Budapest than anywhere else in Europe, as data from the Anti-Defamation League point to a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across the continent.

"Jewish communities are safer in Budapest than anywhere else in Europe. Zero tolerance for antisemitism, no hate crimes, no violent migrants," Orbán wrote in a post on X. "This is how a modern European capital ought to be."

Orbán’s claim was publicly backed by Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, who wrote on X that "Budapest is one of the safest and most welcoming European capitals for its Jewish community and for Israeli citizens alike."

ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU DEMANDS WESTERN GOVERNMENTS ACT TO BATTLE ANTISEMITISM: 'HEED OUR WARNINGS'

Chikli cited what he described as a recent decision by the Swiss city of Basel not to host a Zionist Youth Congress of approximately 200 Jewish youths, adding that Hungary agreed to host the event and that a senior Hungarian minister delivered a speech.

Chikli said Hungary’s approach stems from "a responsible immigration policy that recognizes the danger posed by radical Islam" and "an uncompromising government policy against antisemitism."

Orbán’s remarks come amid an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) report that stated antisemitism in Europe is escalating at an alarming pace. In a 2024–2025 analysis titled Take Action: Antisemitism Is Escalating in Europe, the ADL reported a surge in antisemitic harassment, vandalism, threats and physical attacks across multiple European countries, particularly following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the war in Gaza.

ISIS, IRAN ESCALATING GLOBAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST JEWS, ISRAEL SPY CHIEF SAYS

According to the ADL, incidents rose sharply in countries including France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Jewish communities reported increased security threats, while many Jews said they felt unsafe wearing visible religious symbols in public. The ADL warned that Jewish institutions across Europe now require heightened security and that antisemitism is becoming increasingly normalized in public discourse.

Hungary is home to the largest Jewish community in Central Europe, with estimates ranging from 80,000 to 100,000 Jews, most of them living in Budapest.

GUILTY VERDICTS IN ISIS PLOT POLICE SAY COULD HAVE BEEN 'THE DEADLIEST TERRORIST ATTACK IN UK HISTORY'

Jewish leaders in Hungary have offered mixed assessments over the years. Some have praised the government for investing in synagogue restoration, Holocaust memorials and Jewish cultural life, as well as for maintaining close diplomatic ties with Israel. Others have expressed concern about nationalist rhetoric and disputes over historical memory, particularly regarding Hungary’s role in the Holocaust.

Before World War II, Hungary had one of Europe’s largest Jewish populations, estimated at about 825,000 people. Following the German occupation in March 1944, Hungarian and Nazi authorities deported approximately 430,000–440,000 Jews to Auschwitz in a matter of weeks, most of whom were murdered on arrival. Overall, historians estimate that about 564,000 Hungarian Jews were killed during the Holocaust.

Orbán’s government has repeatedly rejected accusations of antisemitism at home, pointing to its close relationship with Israel and its public opposition to antisemitic violence. Hungarian officials frequently contrast Budapest with major Western European cities where Jewish institutions now require heavy police protection and where protests linked to the Gaza war have at times turned violent.

According to the ADL, antisemitic narratives have now spread across Europe's political spectrum and online platforms, contributing to a climate of fear even in countries once considered safe for Jewish life.

Iranian protesters intensified nationwide demonstrations over the past 24 hours, directly appealing to President Donald Trump while chanting anti-regime slogans. Footage published Wednesday showed a protester in Tehran symbolically renaming a street after Trump, while other videos captured handwritten appeals reading, "Don’t let them kill us," Iran International reported.

Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, posted the video on X stating, "Since Trump's comments about the Iran protests, I've seen numbers videos of Iranian protesters either thanking him or, in this case, renaming streets after the US president."

The appeals came as demonstrators faced a widening security crackdown, including the deployment of armed units and tear gas near major civilian sites in Tehran.

TRUMP SIGNS 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN' HAT ALONGSIDE LINDSEY GRAHAM

Exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi said the current unrest represents a historic opportunity to end Iran’s Islamic Republic.

"In all these years, I’ve never seen an opportunity as we see today in Iran," Pahlavi said in an interview aired Tuesday on "Hannity."

"Iranian people are more than ever committed to bringing an end to this regime, as the world has witnessed in the last few days, the level of demonstrations is unprecedented in Iran," he said.

Pahlavi said protests have spread to more than 100 cities and emphasized the role of Iran’s traditional merchant class, describing developments inside the country’s bazaars as a turning point. "We are beginning to see more and more defections," Pahlavi said, adding that "Either way, the regime is crumbling and is very close to collapsing."

IRAN ON THE BRINK AS PROTESTERS MOVE TO TAKE TWO CITIES, APPEAL TO TRUMP

Over the past 24 hours, Iran International reported continued protests and strikes across the country, including in Tehran, Tabriz, Qazvin, Kermanshah, Kerman, Shiraz, Falavarjan and Bandar Abbas. Tehran’s Grand Bazaar remained a focal point of unrest, with large crowds chanting against Iran’s leadership as authorities responded with tear gas and armed deployments.

Security operations expanded into sensitive civilian locations. Videos published by Iran International showed tear gas used near or inside Tehran’s Sina Hospital and the Plasco Shopping Center.

Casualty and arrest figures continued to rise. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, cited by Iran International on Wednesday, reported at least 36 people killed since protests began, including 34 protesters and two members of Iran’s security forces, with more than 2,000 arrests nationwide. Iranian authorities have not released updated official figures.

New footage from the past day showed demonstrators lighting fires in the streets of Shiraz and chanting "Death to Khamenei," referring to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In Qazvin, protesters were heard chanting, "Law enforcement, return to the side of the nation."

Workers also joined the unrest, with strikes reported at the South Pars gas refinery and widespread shop closures at major markets in Tehran and Tabriz.

The head of Iran's military threatened preemptive action over "rhetoric" targeting the country as the regime faces massive protests. Iran's Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami was likely responding to President Donald Trump's warning that America would act if violence was used against protesters.

Trump recently made it clear that the U.S. would step in if it saw that Iran was mistreating or killing protesters.

The president wrote on Truth Social, "If Iran shoots [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."

Trump's warning took on a new meaning for Iran following the historic U.S. mission in Venezuela that led to the capture and extradition of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

IRAN PROTESTERS EMBOLDENED BY TRUMP ADMIN’S PERSIAN MESSAGING AFTER OBAMA-BIDEN INACTION, ACTIVISTS SAY

Hatami, who was speaking to military academy students, said, "The Islamic Republic considers the intensification of such rhetoric against the Iranian nation as a threat and will not leave its continuation without a response," according to The Associated Press, which cited the state-run IRNA news agency.

He added, "I can say with confidence that today the readiness of Iran’s armed forces is far greater than before the war. If the enemy commits an error, it will face a more decisive response, and we will cut off the hand of any aggressor."

Economic woes have led to an uprising among the Iranian people, and international backlash over the treatment of demonstrators has left regime officials feeling threatened, particularly by the U.S. and Israel.

IRAN ON THE BRINK AS PROTESTERS MOVE TO TAKE TWO CITIES, APPEAL TO TRUMP

In an effort to quell the unrest, Iran's government began paying the equivalent of $7 a month to subsidize rising food costs for dinner-table staples, such as rice, meat and pasta. Iranian state TV reported that the subsidy will go to more than 71 million people across the country, according to the AP. The outlet noted that the new subsidy is more than double the 4.5 million rial the people had previously received.

Iranian shopkeepers have warned that prices for items like basic cooking oil could triple under pressure from the collapse of the country's currency, the AP reported. Iranian media has also reportedly covered the rise in prices of basic goods, including cooking oil, poultry and cheese.

Iran’s vice president in charge of executive affairs, Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah, told reporters that the country was in a "full-fledged economic war," the AP reported. He called for "economic surgery" to get rid of rentier policies and corruption within Iran, the AP added.

Protests began late last month and have showed no signs of stopping. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) claimed the cities of Abdanan (Ilam province) and Malekshahi were effectively "taken over" by protesters.

The Associated Press and Fox News Digital's Emma Bussey contributed to this report.

U.S. forces are attempting to board the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker in the North Atlantic Sea, sources told Fox News.

The news, first reported by Reuters, comes after The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Russia had sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort the tanker.

The vessel, previously operating under the name Bella 1, has spent more than two weeks attempting to slip past U.S. enforcement efforts targeting sanctioned oil shipments near Venezuela, the outlet reported.

AS TRUMP SEIZES A SECOND TANKER, VENEZUELA STILL HOLDS THE WORLD'S LARGEST OIL RESERVES

U.S. Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, said on X that it "remains ready to support our U.S. Government agency partners in standing against sanctioned vessels and actors transiting through this region."

"Our sea services are vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest. When the call comes, we will be there," the post read.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in December that the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, seized a second oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region," said Noem. "We will find you, and we will stop you."

This is a breaking news story; check back for updates.

Pope Leo XIV closed the Catholic Church's Holy Year on Tuesday by urging Christians around the world to help people in need and treat foreigners with kindness.

Leo, who has repeatedly stressed the importance of caring for immigrants during his papacy thus far, said at a Vatican ceremony that the record 33.5 million pilgrims who visited Rome during the Holy Year should have learned not to treat people as mere "products."

"Around us, a distorted economy tries to profit from everything," Leo said. "After this year, will we be better able to recognize a pilgrim in the visitor, a seeker in the stranger, a neighbor in the foreigner?"

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Holy years, or jubilees, typically happen every 25 years, considered to be a time of peace, forgiveness and pardon. Pilgrims to Rome can enter special "Holy Doors" at four Rome basilicas and attend papal audiences throughout the year.

Leo shut the special bronze door at St. Peter's Basilica on Tuesday morning, which officially marked the end of the Holy Year.

The next Holy Year is not expected before 2033, when the Catholic Church may hold a special one to mark 2,000 years since the death of Jesus.

POPE LEO XIV OPENS 2026 URGING WORLD TO REJECT VIOLENCE IN POWERFUL NEW YEAR'S DAY MESSAGE

On Monday, the Vatican and Italian officials said pilgrims to Rome for the 2025 jubilee came from 185 countries, with the majority from Italy, the U.S., Spain, Brazil and Poland.

The 2025 jubilee was opened by the late Pope Francis, who died in April, and closed by Leo, who was elected in May, making him the first American pope.

It was a historical rarity not seen in 300 years for it to be opened by one pope and closed by another. The last jubilee held under two different popes was in the year 1700, when Innocent XII opened the Holy Year that was then closed by Clement XI.

Leo, who has promised to keep Francis' signature policies such as welcoming gay Catholics and discussing women's ordination, echoed his predecessor's frequent criticisms of the global economic system during his remarks on Tuesday.

The markets "turn human yearnings of seeking, traveling and beginning again into a mere business," Leo said.

Reuters contributed to this report.

The U.K. and France signed a declaration Tuesday pledging troops for Ukraine under a future peace deal and with security guarantees supported by the U.S. and allied partners.

The declaration was adopted in Paris by the Coalition of the Willing and sets out what leaders said was a framework for lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, set in international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, triggered Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.

ZELENSKYY SAYS FRESH RUSSIAN ATTACK ON UKRAINE SHOWS PUTIN'S 'TRUE ATTITUDE' AHEAD OF TRUMP MEETING

The new agreement says that Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ability to defend itself are non-negotiable elements of any peace deal and warned that its self-defense is essential to its own security and wider Euro-Atlantic stability.

Under the plan, a multinational force for Ukraine would be deployed once a ceasefire is in place, aimed at deterring any Russian aggression and supporting the rebuilding of Ukraine’s military.

The force would be European-led with proposed support from the U.S.

RUSSIA WARNS IT MAY REJECT US-UKRAINE PEACE PLAN IF IT FAILS TO UPHOLD ALASKA SUMMIT 'UNDERSTANDINGS'

The declaration also commits the Coalition to security guarantees that would be activated once a ceasefire begins.

These include commitments to support Ukraine militarily, diplomatically and economically in the event of a future armed attack by Russia.

A key U.S. role is outlined in plans for a continuous, U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, with contributions from partners.

The U.S. would participate in a special commission to manage ceasefire breaches, attribute responsibility and determine solutions.

UKRAINE–RUSSIA AT A CROSSROADS: HOW THE WAR EVOLVED IN 2025 AND WHAT COMES NEXT

Coalition members also agreed to carry on with long-term military support for Ukraine and pledged defense cooperation, including training, defense production and intelligence sharing.

Leaders also announced the creation of a permanent U.S.-Ukraine-Coalition coordination cell based at the Coalition’s headquarters in Paris.

The declaration was unveiled at a joint news conference by French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

This followed talks in Paris which were attended by Jared Kushner and the U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Iranian protesters issued a direct appeal for help from President Donald Trump on Tuesday as unrest continued to spiral across the nation for the tenth day.

The appeal, shared on X, showed a woman holding up a sign with the words "Trump, a symbol of peace. Don't let them kill us," on it.

The woman's cry for help came amid reports of at least 29 deaths and more than 1,200 arrests, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

HRANA also reported an escalation in force by security units, including the use of pellet guns, tear gas and direct assaults on demonstrators.

IRAN PROTESTS TURN DEADLY AS ANTI-REGIME DEMONSTRATIONS ENTER FIFTH DAY

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) also claimed the cities of Abdanan (Ilam province) and Malekshahi were effectively "taken over" by protesters.

"Today there was a major development in two cities in Western Iran that have been effectively taken over and people are actually celebrating in the streets," Ali Safavi, told Fox News Digital. "They were chanting, ‘Death to Khamenei!’"

"Despite everything the regime has done, the fear factor seems to have shifted because people have made the suppressive forces flee," Safavi added.

Maryam Rajavi, NCRI president-elect also shared a post on X saluting the protesters in Malakshahi and Abdanan who she said, "drove the regime's enforcers into retreat."

Demonstrations, strikes and street gatherings have also been reported across dozens of cities in multiple provinces.

In Ilam province, witnesses and rights groups reported that tear gas was fired inside Imam Khomeini Hospital as authorities attempted to arrest wounded protesters transferred from nearby towns, according to reports.

Amnesty International said on Tuesday, "The Iranian security forces’ attack on a hospital in Ilam, where injured protesters are seeking medical care or shelter, violates international law."

IRANIAN PROTESTERS CLASH WITH SECURITY FORCES AS TEAR GAS FILLS TEHRAN STREETS AMID NATIONWIDE UNREST

Similar accounts emerged from Tehran, where security forces were reportedly seen entering Sina Hospital, prompting fear among patients and families.

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the unrest has been driven by a mix of economic desperation and political anger.

What started as labor strikes and merchant protests over currency collapse and inflation has expanded into widespread street demonstrations and student protests.

Parts of Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and major commercial centers in Mashhad were also partially or fully closed, according to recent reports.

TRUMP SIGNS 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN' HAT ALONGSIDE LINDSEY GRAHAM

"What makes the 2025 protests different to before is that the knife has reached the bone for Iranian citizens," Safavi continued.

"People feel they have nothing anymore and have reached a breaking point," he added.

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi also urged Iranians to chant protest slogans nationwide on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., warned Iran’s leadership that continued violence against protesters could carry serious consequences, writing on X that regime leaders should understand they act "at their own peril."

His remarks came after a recent warning from Trump, who said on Truth Social that the U.S. was "locked and loaded and ready to go," in the wake of the rising protests.

Cuba's official mouthpiece for its ruling communist party confirmed Tuesday that 32 members of its armed forces were killed during the U.S. military operation to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. 

The 32 military and police officers were part of a mission carried out at the request of Venezuela’s government, according to a government statement. On Tuesday, Cuba released their names, ranks and ages. 

"Victims of a new criminal act of aggression and state terrorism perpetrated against the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by the United States, 32 Cubans lost their lives in combat actions and after fierce resistance," a statement published by Granma, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. 

"They were carrying out missions representing the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, at the request of counterpart bodies in the South American country."

REPUBLICANS RALLY BEHIND TRUMP'S MILITARY STRIKE TO ARREST MADURO AS DEMOCRATS SOUND ALARM: POLL

Cuba announced two days of mourning. 

Among the deceased were colonels, lieutenants, majors and captains and some reserve soldiers, ranging in age from 26 to 60, The Associated Press reported. 

They belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, Cuba's two main security agencies. The publication did not specify their missions or disclose how they died.

In a post on X. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said Cubans were "prepared to give their lives" against any U.S. intervention.

"The U.S. president, showing absolute ignorance about Cuba and repeating the agenda of lies of Cuban-American politicians and other groups of interest, is blaspheming and threatening our people," Rodríguez wrote. "Our valiant people, true to their history of struggle, will defend their nation against any imperialist aggression.

RUBIO TO CUBA: ‘I’D BE CONCERNED' AFTER US MILITARY ARRESTS VENEZUELAN LEADER MADURO

"In his words, with all intention, he omits any reference to his criminal policy of economic suffocation and warfare, which has been further tightened, against Cuba, which causes harm and desperation to Cuban families," he added, seeming to refer to President Donald Trump. 

The Trump administration has said Cuban officials were part of Maduro's security detail. Cuba and Venezuela have grown close in recent years, with Cuban agents becoming a big presence in the South American nation. 

"You know, a lot of Cubans were killed yesterday," President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday night. "There was a lot of death on the other side. No death on our side."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants and a fierce critic of Cuba's communist government, said Venezuela’s spy agency was "basically full of Cubans."

"One of the biggest problems Venezuelans have is they have to declare independence from Cuba," he said during a news conference in which officials revealed details of the military operation to capture Maduro and his wife. "They tried to basically colonize it from a security standpoint." 

A Venezuela-linked oil tanker operating in the so-called "dark fleet" painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia in an apparent bid to evade the U.S. Coast Guard, according to reports.

The vessel has since been spotted off Ireland, with the U.S., U.K., France and Ireland reportedly conducting aerial surveillance after it escaped U.S. interception in December, The Times reported.

Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly since deployed a submarine and naval assets to escort the tanker to its own waters, according to the Wall Street Journal late Tuesday.

Russia’s state-controlled foreign media outlet RT shared a video filmed from the tanker’s deck, allegedly showing a U.S. Coast Guard cutter following the vessel. 

The tanker, Bella 1, had renamed itself Marinera and registered under the Russian flag after fleeing the region, according to an intelligence report from AI maritime analytics firm Windward.

TREASURY TARGETS OIL TRADERS, TANKERS ACCUSED OF HELPING MADURO EVADE U.S. SANCTIONS

"Runaway Venezuela-trading tanker Bella 1 painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia mid-voyage last week to avoid capture by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean," Windward said.

Multiple reports said Tuesday the vessel is now under U.S. military surveillance roughly 230 miles off the Irish coast.

According to reports, U.S. P-8 surveillance aircraft have tracked the tanker off Ireland only in recent days.

CBS News reported that U.S. forces have pursued the vessel since December, as Washington intensified enforcement against Venezuelan oil shipments.

Intelligence sources said Venezuela had considered placing military personnel aboard oil tankers disguised as civilians to help vessels evade U.S. blockades and that U.S. forces are likely preparing to intercept the tanker.

The pursuit of the vessel follows strikes in Venezuela under the Trump administration and the Jan. 3 capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM TRUMP'S PUSH TO PUT US OIL FIRMS BACK IN VENEZUELA

Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and said he was a "prisoner of war."

On Jan. 1, Russia had formally asked the U.S. to stop its pursuit of the vessel, according to Reuters.

Citing two people familiar with the matter, Reuters reported that Moscow made the diplomatic request as U.S. forces continued tracking the vessel for nearly two weeks in the Atlantic.

The request came as Trump simultaneously sought to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Reuters added.

TRUMP’S VENEZUELA STRIKE SPARKS CONSTITUTIONAL CLASH AS MADURO IS HAULED INTO US

TankerTrackers.com alleges the vessel previously transported millions of barrels of Iranian and Venezuelan crude to China between 2021 and 2025.

"Bella 1, now known as Marinera, is not alone," Windward said.

The tanker has been under U.S. Treasury sanctions since June 2024, accused of transporting illicit oil cargoes linked to a Hezbollah-connected company.

"The very large crude carrier is joining a growing fleet of Western-sanctioned tankers seeking protection under Russia’s national flag," the firm added.

"Over the past six months, a dozen or more of the darkest tankers operating globally have switched from open registries to Russia. This trend accelerated in December as the flag state emerged as a critical shield against drone strikes and vessel seizures."

VENEZUELA ORDERS NATIONWIDE MANHUNT FOR SUPPORTERS AFTER MADURO'S ARREST BY US FORCES

Windward also identified two additional Western-sanctioned tankers currently in Venezuelan waters that have reflagged to Russia in recent days to prevent U.S. naval interception.

The tanker Hyperion departed Venezuela on Jan. 1 flying the Russian flag, while Premier signaled via AIS that it changed its flag from Gambia to Russia on Dec. 22.

"Premier remains at the José Terminal in Venezuela," Windward said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard and the White House for comment.

In the aftermath of Nicolás Maduro’s capture by United States forces, paramilitary groups tied to the Venezuelan leader’s regime have initiated an aggressive campaign to maintain control over the country.

Mobs of motorcycle-riding civilians often armed with assault rifles, known as colectivos, have been conducting intrusive searches and establishing checkpoints to identify and punish anyone showing support for Maduro’s removal from power, Reuters reported.

The National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela reported that armed forces briefly detained fourteen journalists during Monday's induction of Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s interim leader. Residents have also reported that some Venezuelans have been afraid to leave their homes, fearing that armed forces would seize and scour their phones for signs of dissent, The Telegraph said.

"The future is uncertain, the Colectivos have weapons, the Colombian guerrilla is already here in Venezuela, so we don’t know what’s going to happen, time will tell," Oswaldo, a 69-year-old Venezuelan shop owner, told The Telegraph.

The colectivos are largely controlled by Nicolás Maduro’s close ally, Diosdado Cabello, who has a $25 million bounty from the U.S. State Department largely for his role in corruption and drug trafficking.

VENEZUELA'S NEW INTERIM LEADER DELCY RODRÍGUEZ 'HATES THE WEST,' EX OFFICIAL WARNS

Cabello, who serves as the state's Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, is widely known for suppressing political dissent in Venezuela. The presence of colectivos, who often serve as an unofficial arm of state repression, suggests that Maduro loyalists are desperately trying to maintain their grip on the country.

The reported crackdown began with a government directive to root out dissent against the Venezuelan regime. According to Reuters, a state of emergency decree published on Monday ordered police to "immediately begin the national search and capture of everyone involved in the promotion or support of the armed attack by the United States."

FROM PALACE TO PRISON: VENEZUELAN STRONGMAN MADURO LOCKED IN TROUBLED BROOKLYN JAIL

As someone who conducts state-run domestic espionage through widespread coordination of surveillance and counterintelligence agencies, Cabello remains a major unpredictable and dangerous figure in the wake of Maduro’s capture, Reuters reported.

"The focus is now on Diosdado Cabello," Venezuelan military strategist Jose Garcia told the outlet. "Because he is the most ideological, violent and unpredictable element of the Venezuelan regime."

Reuters reported that the former military officer was also recently spotted patrolling Venezuelan streets with security forces.

In a social media post by the Venezuelan government, footage reportedly showed Cabello posing with a crowd of armed militia as they shouted, "Always loyal, never traitors."

Reuters added that in recent weeks, Cabello was also seen on television ordering Venezuela’s military counterintelligence agency to "go and get the terrorists" and warning "whoever strays, we will know."

He reportedly repeated the same rhetoric in a state television appearance Saturday, wearing a flak jacket and helmet and surrounded by heavily armed guards.

Despite the removal of Maduro, the loyalist crackdown on dissent and the media suggests that the ruling party has no intention of relinquishing its grip on power.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Countries across the globe are voicing their concerns as President Donald Trump appears to eye Greenland for what he says are reasons relating to U.S. national security. Amid the developing controversy, two top Canadian officials are reportedly planning to visit Greenland — and possibly open an embassy there.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Governor General Mary Simon, who is of Inuk descent, are expected to visit Greenland in early February, according to The Associated Press. Simon became Canada’s first indigenous governor general — the representative of Britain’s King Charles as head of state — in 2021 and previously served as Canada’s ambassador to Denmark.

The visit comes as Canada plans to open a consulate in Greenland.

CANADA TO OPEN GREENLAND CONSULATE AFTER TRUMP’S PUSH TO ACQUIRE ISLAND

"The future of Greenland and Denmark are decided solely by the people of Denmark," Prime Minister Mark Carney said when meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at Canada’s embassy in Paris, the AP reported. The two leaders were in France for a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing focusing on Ukraine.

Frederiksen praised Carney and expressed confidence in NATO's ability to maintain security in the Arctic region.

"You have been very clear in your statement when it comes to the respect for national sovereignty," Frederiksen said to Carney. "We are both into securing the Arctic region and together with all our NATO allies we can secure the region, so hopefully everybody is willing to work together."

Trump recently made waves when he renewed his call for the U.S. to annex Greenland, which he asserts would be a key element of U.S. security.

"We need Greenland, from a national security situation," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it."

TRUMP WARNS ‘SICK’ SOUTH AMERICAN LEADER, REITERATES ‘WE NEED GREENLAND’ FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller insisted on Monday that no one would oppose U.S. military action in Greenland. He told CNN's Jake Tapper, "Nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland," Axios reported.

The remarks drew the ire of leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the U.K. who joined Frederiksen in defending the sovereignty of Greenland, which is an Inuit self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark. Canada's decision to get involved in the tussle also comes after Trump made remarks about turning it into the 51st state.

A statement from Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer asserted, "Greenland belongs to its people."

"It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement read.

Anand and Simon's offices did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

The United States, Israel and Syria announced Tuesday that senior Israeli and Syrian officials met in Paris under U.S. auspices, marking a renewed diplomatic push that includes plans for closer security coordination and potential economic engagement.

A joint statement released by the three governments described the talks as being part of President Donald Trump’s broader vision for advancing peace in the Middle East. The discussions focused on respect for Syria’s sovereignty and stability, Israel’s security and prosperity for both countries.

According to the statement, Israel and Syria reaffirmed their commitment to pursue lasting security and stability arrangements and agreed to establish a joint fusion mechanism, described as a dedicated communication cell. The mechanism is intended to facilitate ongoing coordination on intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities, under U.S. supervision.

"The United States commends these positive steps and remains committed to supporting the implementation of these understandings, as part of broader efforts to achieve enduring peace in the Middle East. When sovereign nations cooperate in a respectful and productive way, prosperity will be unleashed. This joint statement reflects the spirit of today’s great meeting and the Sides’ determination to turn a new page in their relations for the benefit of future generations," the statement concluded. 

WHY SYRIA PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN TRUMP’S PLANS FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE

In a separate statement, Israel’s Prime Minister’s office emphasized the need to ensure the security of its citizens, prevent threats along its borders, promote regional stability and advance economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries. The sides also agreed to continue the dialogue while safeguarding the security of the Druze minority in Syria.

The announcements follow U.S.-mediated talks held in Paris, which focused primarily on security arrangements along the Israeli-Syrian border. The talks were aimed at easing tensions and reviving elements of the 1974 disengagement agreement, which established a U.N.-monitored buffer zone between the two countries. A Syrian official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said Damascus is seeking the reactivation of the 1974 agreement and a withdrawal of Israeli forces to positions held before December 2024. The official described Syria’s position as centered on restoring sovereignty and preventing further escalation. A French diplomat also confirmed to the AP that the Paris talks took place under U.S. mediation, with French diplomatic involvement.

While the Paris discussions were framed publicly as security-focused, Israeli Channel 12 News reported that the Trump administration has also put forward an American proposal for expanded Israel-Syria economic cooperation, potentially signaling a broader diplomatic agenda.

According to the reporting, the proposal envisions a joint economic zone along the existing demilitarized strip, which would remain demilitarized. The zone would include energy infrastructure such as wind power facilities, a crude oil pipeline, data centers and pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. The plan also includes the development of a ski resort.

TRUMP WELCOMES SYRIAN PRESIDENT TO WASHINGTON IN HIGH-PROFILE VISIT AS SHUTDOWN DEAL TAKES SHAPE

The proposal could generate an estimated $4 billion in GDP growth for Syria, roughly 20% of its current output, along with an 800-megawatt increase in power capacity, 15,000 new jobs and a 40% reduction in pharmaceutical dependency. Israel, under the plan, would gain the opportunity to transform a buffer zone into a "dynamic economic corridor," potentially reducing long-term military spending along its northern border.

Israeli and U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed the details of the proposed economic zone, and the Prime Minister’s Office statement did not reference specific economic projects.

The renewed talks followed an understanding reached last week during a meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Florida. According to a Channel 12 report, the United States proposed establishing a joint American-Israeli-Syrian operations room in Amman, Jordan, aimed at managing security in southern Syria and serving as a framework for negotiations on demilitarization and a potential Israeli troop withdrawal from areas seized after the collapse of the Assad regime.

The State Department has intensified its criticism of Iran’s regime on its Persian-language account since the outbreak of nationwide protests against the Ayatollahs in Tehran, mirroring President Trump’s forceful warning to Tehran.

Trump recently posted, "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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J.TRUMP."

"President Trump’s latest truth social post regarding Iran speaks for itself, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.

IRAN PROTESTS PROMPT NEW TRUMP WARNING OVER DEADLY GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWNS

The State Department’s reinforcement of Trump’s pledge to aid Iranian demonstrators comes amid reports that protesters had taken control of many streets in Abdanan, in Ilam province in western Iran, on Tuesday. They chanted chanted"Death to Khamenei" and "This year is a year of blood, Seyed Ali (Khamenei) will be overthrown," according to videos sent to Iran International news organization.

The U.S. State Department’s Persian-language account, @USABehFarsi, appeared to issue a stark warning to Iran’s totalitarian rulers. "President Trump is a man of action. If you didn’t know before, now you do. Don’t mess with President Trump." The black and white picture showed Trump with his leadership team watching elite U.S. army forces seize the former Iran-backed Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

IRAN’S KHAMENEI LASHES OUT AT PROTESTERS AS NATIONWIDE ANTI-REGIME UNREST GROWS

Trump's social media posts and the statements coming from the State Department's account have emboldened Iranians both inside and outside of the country.

Potkin Azarmehr, a British-Iranian journalist, noted the contrast with previous administrations. "Well, what a contrast to Obama’s time when protesters in Iran in 2009 were angrily chanting, ‘Obama, are you with us or with them?' Any international support, whether at grassroots level or government level is encouraging. Knowing that the world knows about you," he added that "The question is where are the Western activist elite protesters? Why are they not protesting? Are they on the side of the Ayatollahs? An archaic religious apartheid?"

Iran analyst, Alirzeza Nader, said, "I think State is right to say that the alternative to the current regime will come from inside Iran. And that Iranians will choose their own leaders. Yes, it’s definitely better now. Unfortunately, the Obama and Biden administrations pushed the reformist line (the Reformist line espoused by Rouhani and Khatami). My advice to the Trump administration: stay neutral when it comes to the opposition’s leadership. Let Iranians figure it out."

TRUMP SIGNS 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN' HAT ALONGSIDE LINDSEY GRAHAM

The former Iranian presidents Hassan Rouhani and Mohammad Khatami, promised mild reforms but remain wedded to the Islamic Republic of Iran — a regime that has been repeatedly classified by the State Department as a leading state-sponsor of terrorism.

Nadav Mohebb, who worked as a Persian media analyst for the State Department's Public Affairs Bureau, said about the State Department’s Persian-language X account that "During the Biden administration, this account was effectively turned into a ghost town and largely lost its relevance and impact."

He said that, "Following President Trump’s recent tweet, we have seen a renewed level of activity reminiscent of his first term — an approach that has again drawn the attention of Iranians. Trump’s message effectively removed the account’s excessive caution, and over the past four days its anti-regime tone has noticeably intensified."

Mohebb said that" The account should avoid involvement in opposition infighting, remain sensitive to Iranian public sentiment, and operate in alignment with the prevailing mood of Persian Twitter. I hope Trump’s warning message to the regime will serve as a catalyst for upgrading the messaging strategy of this account and restoring its former effectiveness."

Reza Parchizadeh, an Iranian-American expert on the regime, said, "The State Department’s Persian-language account is performing effectively. Its messaging is deliberately structured to project a sense of American support and hope toward Iranian protesters, while also attempting to reflect the breadth and diversity of protest activity rather than treating it episodically or selectively. In itself, this represents a notable shift in approach."

He noted that, "The Obama era was fundamentally different in orientation and intent. That administration prioritized reaching a diplomatic accommodation with the Islamic Republic and reintegrating the regime into the international system. Within that framework, popular protests and organized opposition inside Iran were largely downplayed by the State Department in order to avoid complicating negotiations or signaling regime vulnerability."

As Venezuela enters the post-Nicolas Maduro era, former officials and regional experts warn the country may be facing not a democratic transition, but a period of deeper instability and internal conflict between possible successors that some warn could be even worse than Maduro.

Marshall Billingslea, the former assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes in the U.S. Treasury Department, said Maduro’s removal has exposed a fractured system that was never held together by a single strongman, but by competing criminal power centers now moving independently.

"The cartel has always been a loose association, with each of the mafia bosses having their own centers of gravity," Billingslea said. "Maduro was the frontman, but he didn’t exercise total control. Now we’re seeing each of those centers spinning off on their own."

MADURO'S SON GIVES 'UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT' TO NEWLY SWORN IN INTERIM VENEZUELA PRESIDENT

Billingslea said the capture of Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, was as consequential as Maduro’s removal itself.

"The capture of Cilia Flores is a particularly big deal because she was the brains behind the operation and the one who cleared out potential rivals," he said. "Her removal is equally significant."

TRUMP ISSUES DIRECT WARNING TO VENEZUELA'S NEW LEADER DELCY RODRÍGUEZ FOLLOWING MADURO CAPTURE

Billingslea outlined what he described as five competing power centers, four within the regime and one outside it. "The removal of Maduro, and particularly the removal of Cilia Flores, leaves a huge power vacuum in the cartel," he said. "We haven’t yet reached a new equilibrium here."

In the interim, he foresees a high risk of internal power struggles, violence and further repression as rival factions maneuver to secure control in a post-Maduro Venezuela. But he notes that the Trump administration anticipates this and is executing a clear-eyed strategy to first secure U.S. core interests, followed by the gradual restoration of democracy, all without needing American "boots on the ground."

TRUMP VOWS US 'IN CHARGE' OF VENEZUELA AS HE REVEALS IF HE'S SPOKEN TO DELCY RODRÍGUEZ

Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s longtime vice president, was quickly installed as interim leader. But her rise has done little to reassure Venezuelans or international observers that meaningful change is coming.

Rodríguez is deeply embedded in the Maduro system and has long played a central role in overseeing Venezuela’s internal intelligence and security apparatus. According to regional reporting, her focus since taking office has been consolidating control within those institutions rather than signaling political reform.

Former U.S. and regional officials say Delcy Rodríguez’s rise has revived long-standing questions about who truly influences her decisions as she moves to consolidate power.

Those officials point to Rodríguez’s deep ties with Cuban intelligence, which helped build and operate Venezuela’s internal security and surveillance apparatus over the past two decades. Cuban operatives played a central role in shaping how the regime monitored dissent and protected senior leadership, embedding themselves inside Venezuela’s intelligence services.

At the same time, former officials say Rodríguez appears to be testing cooperation with Washington, creating uncertainty over how much leverage the United States actually holds. Some view her limited engagement with U.S. demands as tactical, aimed at buying time while she works to secure loyalty inside the regime and neutralize rival factions.

A former Venezuelan official previously told Fox News Digital that Rodríguez "hates the West" and represents continuity with the Maduro regime, not a break from it.

KRISTI NOEM DELIVERS TRUMP'S ULTIMATUM TO VENEZUELA'S VICE PRESIDENT FOLLOWING MADURO CAPTURE OPERATION

Diosdado Cabello, one of the most feared figures in the country, has emerged as a central player in the post-Maduro scramble for control.

Cabello, who wields influence over the ruling party and interior security, has been rallying armed colectivos and loyalist groups. Those groups have been active in the streets, detaining opponents and reinforcing regime authority through intimidation.

Sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for corruption and alleged ties to drug-trafficking networks, Cabello is widely viewed as a figure capable of consolidating power through force rather than institutions.

Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly and brother of Delcy Rodríguez, remains one of the regime’s most important political operators.

Rodríguez has served as a key strategist for Maduro, overseeing communications, elections and internal coordination. Recent reporting indicates he continues to work closely with his sister to maintain control over intelligence and security structures, reinforcing the regime’s grip despite Maduro’s removal.

Experts say Rodríguez could play a central role in shaping any managed transition that preserves the system Maduro built.

TRUMP’S VENEZUELA STRIKE SPARKS CONSTITUTIONAL CLASH AS MADURO IS HAULED INTO US

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, long considered the backbone of Maduro’s survival, remains a critical figure as well.

While Padrino López has not publicly positioned himself as a successor, analysts note that the armed forces are no longer unified behind a single leader. Senior generals are split across competing factions, raising the risk of internal clashes or a shift toward overt military rule if civilian authority weakens further.

Beyond the power struggle among regime elites, Venezuela faces a broader danger.

Large parts of the country are already influenced by criminal syndicates and armed groups. As centralized authority weakens, those actors could exploit the vacuum, expanding control over territory and smuggling routes.

Experts warned that an uncontrolled collapse could unleash forces more violent and less predictable than Maduro’s centralized repression, and the events unfolding now suggest that risk is growing.

Outside the regime, opposition leader María Corina Machado remains the most popular political figure among Venezuelan voters. But popularity alone may not be enough to translate into power.

Machado lacks control over security forces, intelligence agencies or armed groups. As repression intensifies and rival factions maneuver, her ability to convert public support into political authority remains uncertain.

Maduro’s fall, analysts say, did not dismantle Venezuela’s power structure. It fractured it.

With armed loyalists in the streets, rival factions competing behind the scenes, and an interim leader struggling to assert authority, Venezuela now faces a dangerous period in which the aftermath of Maduro’s rule could prove more chaotic — and potentially more brutal — than what came before, experts say. For Venezuelans, the question is no longer whether Maduro is gone, but whether anything that replaces him will be better.

Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the son of captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, has pledged his "unconditional support" to the newly sworn-in interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, who served as his father's vice president.

"My unconditional support for the very hard task you've been given," Maduro Guerra, often called "Nicolasito," said, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). "Count on me, count on my family, count on our firmness in taking the right steps at the forefront of this responsibility that is now yours."

Maduro Guerra made the remarks during his first public appearance since his father and stepmother, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. forces and extradited to New York. The ousted Venezuelan president’s son, who is himself a legislator, joined other ruling-party lawmakers for a planned swearing-in ceremony of the National Assembly for a term that will last until 2031, The Associated Press reported.

TRUMP ISSUES DIRECT WARNING TO VENEZUELA'S NEW LEADER DELCY RODRÍGUEZ FOLLOWING MADURO CAPTURE

Maduro Guerra condemned the U.S. action, calling it a "kidnapping" and saying that "no country is safe."

"If we normalize the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe. Today, it's Venezuela. Tomorrow, it could be any nation that refuses to submit," Maduro Guerra said, according to the CBC. "This is not a regional problem. It is a direct threat to global political stability."

Rodríguez, who was sworn-in on Monday, has served as vice president since 2018. Despite her objection to the U.S. military action that led to her former boss' arrest, Rodríguez has vowed to work with the Trump administration.

"I come with sorrow for the suffering inflicted upon the Venezuelan people following an illegitimate military aggression against our homeland," Rodríguez said, according to the AP.

VENEZUELAN DISSIDENT OUTLINES RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES AS VENEZUELA ENTERS POST-MADURO ERA

Maduro and Flores were captured by U.S. forces early Saturday morning at their home in Caracas, Venezuela. The Trump administration announced the operation on Saturday after successful "large-scale" military strikes targeting the Venezuelan government. The dictator and his wife are now being held in New York while they wait to face narco-terrorism charges against them. The historic move attracted praise and backlash across the globe, with some questioning the legality of the operation.

China and Russia were among powers that condemned the U.S. operation in Venezuela, while some regional allies, including Argentina, applauded the move.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado — who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for her fight for freedom in Venezuela — praised the operation, saying Jan. 3 will go down as a "day that justice defeated tyranny."

"It's a milestone, and it's not only huge for the Venezuelan people and our future, I think it's a huge step for humanity, for freedom, and human dignity," Machado said during an appearance on "Hannity."

"A free Venezuela means, first, a security ally, dismantling the criminal hub of the Americas and turning it into a security shield, the strongest ally to dismantle all these criminal structures that have made so much damage and harm to our people and to the American people as well," she said. "Secondly, we will turn Venezuela into the energy hub of the Americas. We will bring rule of law. We will open markets. We will give security to foreign investment. Third, we'll bring millions of Venezuelans that have been forced to flee their country back home, to build a strong nation, prosperous nation, open society," Machado added.

Machado, who has spent more than a year in hiding, has vowed to return to Venezuela.

Fox News Digital's Maria Lencki and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Monday warned about the implications of President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland, saying it could be the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2 in an interview that Trump’s threats about Greenland should be taken seriously.

"But I also want to make it clear that if the U.S. chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops. Including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War," she said, according to the outlet.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One over the weekend that the U.S. needs Greenland, a Danish territory, for "national security."

FROM GAZA TO GREENLAND, MACRON BREAKS WITH TRUMP ON GLOBAL FLASHPOINTS

European and Nordic leaders pushed back against the comments, with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Denmark’s Ambassador to the United States Jesper Møller Sørensen underscoring their support for Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland and stressing that its future must be determined by Greenland and Denmark alone.

White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller doubled down on Trump’s remarks, telling CNN in an interview on Monday that Greenland "should be part of the United States."

CNN anchor Jake Tapper pressed Miller about whether the Trump administration could rule out military action against the Arctic island.

TRUMP MOVES GREENLAND MILITARY INSTALLATION UNDER US NORTHERN COMMAND IN ARCTIC POWER SHIFT

"Greenland has a population of 30,000 people," Miller said. "The real question is by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland. What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?"

"The United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously Greenland should be part of the United States," he added.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a Monday statement posted on Facebook that his country is "not an object of superpower rhetoric."

"We are a people. A land. And democracy. This has to be respected. Especially by close and loyal friends," Nielsen wrote in part.

"Threats, pressure and talk of annexation do not belong anywhere between friends," he added. "That’s not how you talk to a people who have repeatedly shown responsibility, stability and loyalty. This is enough."

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has vowed to return to Venezuela "as soon as possible" following America's capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro, warning that the current regime is escalating an internal crackdown on dissent and journalists.

Speaking to "Hannity" on Monday, Machado said the moment is now right for her return after spending more than a year in hiding. She secretly escaped Venezuela last month and traveled to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which she dedicated to President Donald Trump.

"Well, first of all, I’m planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible," Machado said. 

TRUMP ISSUES DIRECT WARNING TO VENEZUELA'S NEW LEADER DELCY RODRÍGUEZ FOLLOWING MADURO CAPTURE

"As I’ve always said, Sean, every day I make a decision where I am more useful for our cause. That’s why I stayed in hiding for over 16 months, and that’s why I decided to go out, because I believed that at this moment I’m more useful to our cause, being able to speak out from where I’m at right now. But I’m going to go as soon possible back home."

Machado said developments in the past 24 hours have been deeply concerning, pointing to what she described as a sweeping executive order signed by Maduro on the same day he was captured and flown out of the country by U.S. forces.

"What we’re seeing right now in the last 24 hours is really alarming," she said.

Machado said the order mandates the persecution of Venezuelans who support Trump’s actions and claimed at least 14 journalists have been detained. A state of emergency decree issued Saturday, but published Monday, orders police to "immediately begin the national search and capture of everyone involved in the promotion or support for the armed attack by the United States," the text of the decree reads, according to Reuters.

She said the situation must be closely monitored by the United States and the Venezuelan people, arguing that the transition away from Maduro must continue.

BONDI SAYS TRUMP 'SAVED COUNTLESS LIVES' IN VENEZUELAN DICTATOR MADURO CAPTURE OPERATION

"So this is very alarming. This is something that has to be followed carefully, I’m sure, by the United States government and by the Venezuelan people," she said. "And certainly we believe that this transition should move forward."

Machado also sharply criticized Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, calling her unfit to lead any transitional authority. Rodríguez, who has been vice president under Maduro since 2018, was sworn in as interim president on Monday.

"Delcy Rodriguez, as you know, is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narco trafficking," Machado said. "She’s the main ally and liaison with Russia, China, Iran, certainly not an individual that could be trusted by international investors. And she’s really rejected, repudiated by the Venezuelan people."

Machado’s comments came just two days after the Trump administration announced that U.S. forces had captured the dictator and his wife, Cilia Flores, after successful "large-scale" military strikes targeting the Venezuelan government. The dictator and his wife are now being held in New York while they await trial on narco-terrorism charges.

Fox News’ Maria Lencki and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.