Daily brief
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges in a New York federal court and will remain in jail until his next hearing in March. The U.S. government has described his arrest as a law enforcement action, while Russia condemned it as lawless. The move has emboldened President Donald Trump, who declared the U.S. is 'in charge' of Venezuela.
Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as Venezuela's interim president, with Maduro's son pledging loyalty to her. The ceremony invoked the names of both Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro.
President Trump has threatened Venezuela's interim leader to 'do what's right' and suggested possible U.S. military action against several other countries, though no specific actions have been taken.
China's envoy at the UN slammed U.S. actions in Venezuela as 'illegal and bullying acts' and called for Maduro's immediate release.
Cuba confirmed the death of 32 of its citizens in the U.S. operation against Venezuela, while a U.S. senator warned that Cuba's 'days are numbered'.