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Trump's capture of Maduro unlikely to slow U.S. overdose deaths
Fentanyl overdose deaths in the U.S. rose to 48,422 in 2024, with Colombian production and Mexican trafficking sustaining supply despite Maduro's capture, experts say.
- U.S. Delta Force captured Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, 2026, in Caracas and flew him to a New York federal court where he and his wife pleaded not guilty on Monday.
- Dr. Jeffrey Singer noted Venezuela acts mainly as a transit route for Colombian drugs, saying "Venezuela doesn't produce cocaine, but it's a transit point for cocaine because it's right next door to Colombia," while illicit production in Colombia jumped by 50% last year.
- The CDC recorded 48,422 fentanyl overdose deaths in 2024, with many involving multiple drugs, as Mexican cartels transport precursor chemicals into the U.S. and convert them into fentanyl.
- Federal prosecutors allege up to 250 tons of cocaine moved through Venezuela yearly under Nicolás Maduro, while Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, acting president, said on Jan. 5, 2026 she was prepared to work with the U.S.
- Analysts say the capture will not materially change U.S. overdose trends; President Donald Trump targeted trafficking networks, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, `We are at war against drug trafficking organizations not a war against Venezuela.
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Why Trump’s capture of Venezuela’s Maduro is both a blessing and a curse for Russia
The U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, a Kremlin ally, is a blow to Russia's influence in Latin America. However, Russia may also derive some benefits from U.S. President Donald Trump's unprovoked intervention. First, Trump's apparent violation of international law plays into the Kremlin's handbook, analysts say. Russia is likely to use the legally dubious U.S. operation as a justification for its illegal war of aggres…
·Kyiv, Ukraine
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Donald Trump barely hides his real interests in Venezuela, says Gaétan Barrette.
·Montreal, Canada
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President Trump has been criticized for airstrikes on Venezuela and arresting Maduro, but fentanyl is the main culprit in US drug deaths.
·Seoul, Korea, Republic of
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution34% Left, 33% Center, 33% Right
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 33% of the sources are Center, 33% of the sources lean Right
34% Left
L 34%
C 33%
R 33%
Factuality
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