President Trump says the United States will run Venezuela after U.S. forces seized Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas. Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez shifts from defiance to calls for cooperation as the White House ramps up pressure and threatens further action. And Nicolás Maduro is set to appear in a New York courtroom, facing drug trafficking, weapons, and narco-terrorism charges that could test the reach of U.S. law overseas.
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p class=”readrate”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Tara Neill, Krishnadev Calamur, Mohamad ElBardicy, and HJ Mai.
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p class=”readrate”>It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
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p class=”readrate”>We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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p class=”readrate”>(0:00) Introduction (01:54) U.S. In Venezuela (05:49) Future Of Venezuela (09:46) Maduro In NYC Court
President Trump confirms the first known U.S. strike inside Venezuela, saying it targets drug trafficking as critics warn it risks escalation. Iranian authorities shut down cities and security forces move in to contain growing protests as anger over inflation and sanctions boils over.
And the flu is spreading fast across the U.S., with a new strain driving cases higher just as vaccination rates slip and hospitals brace for what’s next.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
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p class=”readrate”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, James Hider, Rebecca Davis, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.
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p class=”readrate”>
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p class=”readrate”>It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
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p class=”readrate”>We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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p class=”readrate”> Our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.
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p class=”readrate”>(0:00) Introduction (03:30) U.S. Strikes Inside Venezuela (07:25) Iran Protests (11:22) Flu Cases Surge
Miss Universe owner Raúl Rocha has reportedly been charged with trafficking drugs, arms and fuel by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office.
According to a Wednesday, November 26, report by Mexican newspaper Reforma, Rocha was charged for alleged involvement in trafficking the items between Guatemala and Mexico. Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FRG) claimed that Rocha is a leader of a criminal organization that smuggles fuel in boats through the Usumacinta River before trucking it to Mexico.
The outlet reported that an agent in Mexico’s Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime requested an arrest warrant for Rocha on charges of organized crime in August.
The FRG reportedly raided several residences. The government office claimed they obtained records of monetary contributions from Rocha to the alleged criminal enterprise. The amount totaled 2.1 million pesos, which equals around $114,405.
According to the arrest warrant, which was obtained by Reforma, the FRG alleged that Rocha has “connections with politicians and authorities at all three levels of government to deliberately carry out their mission, which includes the sale of hydrocarbons, narcotics, and the trafficking and sale of large quantities of weapons of war.”
Reforma also reported that Rocha spoke to the FGR in October to negotiate a plea bargain and will allegedly share information for immunity from prosecution.
Us Weekly has reached out to the Miss Universe organization for comment.
Rocha’s alleged legal issues is the latest scandal to plague the Miss Universe organization. Earlier this year, pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisi made headlines after he publicly insulted Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch.
Raul Rocha, Nawat Itsaragrisil.LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images
“He called me dumb because he has issues with the organization, and I think that’s unfair,” Bosch told the press while explaining the incident, which was captured on video that has since gone viral.
Several beauty queens showed solidarity for Bosch by walking out of the pre-pageant event. Rocha ultimately diminished Itsaragrisi’s role in the pageant in the wake of the scandal.
“I will not allow the values of respect and dignity toward women to be violated. Unfortunately, Nawat has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host,” Rocha said at the time. “It means to demonstrate to all delegates of all countries that he, as a host, has the obligation to serve them, assist them and support them. And to ensure they have a unique life experience filled with kindness and courtesy.”
Bosch ultimately went on to win the competition. In her speech, Bosch expressed her desire to be a positive ambassador for the organization.
“I will put my voice and the power in the service of others because nowadays, we are here to speak up, to make change and have everything in view because we are women and the brave ones that stand up are the ones that will make history,” she said.
Earlier on Wednesday, news broke that a warrant was reportedly issued for Miss Universe co-owner Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip’s arrest after failing to appear in court in Bangkok for her fraud case. Officials reportedly deemed Jakrajutatip as a flight risk. Jakrajutatip resigned from Miss Universe in June. The Miss Universe Organization previously stated that Jakrajutatip’s fraud case “legal proceedings are entirely separate.”
Seven suspected drug lords, arrested at Kamuzu International Airport on Saturday, are set to appear in court to face formal charges.
The suspects, comprising six Mexican nationals and one Nigerian, were detained upon arrival at the airport following a joint operation by Malawi’s Interpol and the United States Embassy.
The arrested individuals include Cristhian Jovanny Hernandez, Luiz Armando Ramirez, Mario Picas, Armando Hernandez, Adrian Angulo, Panfilo Hernandez from Mexico, and Mike Chukwu, a Nigerian national.
According to Deputy Police Publicist Harry Namwaza, the police are currently recording statements from the suspects.
However, the interrogation process initially faced challenges due to language barriers. The police managed to find an interpreter, and the interrogation is now underway.
“We had challenges in interrogations due to language barriers, but we have since found an interpreter, and interrogation is underway,” Namwaza said.
The suspects will appear in court once the police have completed their investigations and gathered sufficient evidence.
The arrest highlights the efforts of Malawian authorities to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.
The police operation demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational crimes.
The collaboration between Malawi’s Interpol and the US Embassy has led to the successful arrest of the suspected drug lords.
The suspects are expected to face charges related to drug trafficking. If convicted, they could face severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
The case will likely draw significant attention, given the international nature of the arrests and the alleged crimes.
The Malawi Police Service has assured the public that they will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who engage in illicit activities face the full force of the law.
The arrest of the seven suspected drug lords is a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking in Malawi.
As the case unfolds, many are eagerly awaiting the outcome. The suspects’ fate will be determined by the courts, and justice will be served accordingly. For now, the police will continue to investigate and gather evidence to build a strong case against the suspects.
The arrest serves as a warning to those who engage in drug trafficking and other illicit activities that the law will catch up with them.
The Malawi Police Service remains committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of citizens and visitors alike.
Officials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested five Ghanaians for trafficking drugs into Dubai.
One of those arrested has been jailed for ten years, according to officials who arrested the suspects at the Dubai International Airport.
The Ghanaian Consulate General in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said in a statement on Wednesday that the five were arrested between January and March this year.
“The sad part of it all is that, all the parcels containing the weed were given to them by the agents in Ghana who acquired the UAE visa for them, with instructions to them to give the parcels to their counterpart agents in the UAE on arrival.
It is also interesting to know that the weed is normally hidden in food items,” the consulate said in the statement.
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The Consulate General has urged Ghanaians travelling to Dubai to avoid taking “any message/parcel from agents or any other person to bring to Dubai except if they can inspect and ascertain the true content of the message/parcel.”
The UAE has stricter rules on drug trafficking and often enforces them when travelers are found guilty of attempt to traffic drugs.
