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Weekly Report - 19 March 2026 (WR-26-11)

VENEZUELA : Rodríguez strengthens control, deepens US ties

Venezuela won the ‘World Baseball Classic’ on 17 March, defeating the US in the final of the competition held in the US. “Statehood!!!” US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, having previously responded to the country’s victory over Italy in the semi-finals by saying “good things are happening to Venezuela! I wonder what this magic is all about? Statehood, #51, Anyone?” There is no shortage of candidates Trump has mooted as the 51^st US state over the last year, but his comment is indicative of blossoming bilateral ties since Delcy Rodríguez assumed the presidency after the US seizure of Nicolás Maduro (2013-2026) in January. The Trump administration eased Venezuela oil sanctions this week, albeit pressured by the surge in oil prices in the face of its escalating conflict with Iran, while Rodríguez replaced one of Maduro’s closest allies, the long-serving defence minister, General Vladimir Padrino López, as she steers the country towards closer relations with the US while consolidating power.

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