Edward Wong
@ewong.bsky.social
Diplomatic Correspondent for The New York Times
Since ousting Maduro, Trump has focused on getting "total access" to Venezuela's oil. That has been key to his thinking on Venezuela all along. Here's a gift link to the @nytimes.com story that @julianbarnes.bsky.social and I did last month on how it drove him: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Venezuela’s Oil Is a Focus of Trump’s Campaign Against Maduro
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Since ousting Maduro, Trump has focused on getting "total access" to Venezuela's oil. That has been key to his thinking on Venezuela all along. Here's a gift link to the @nytimes.com story that @julianbarnes.bsky.social and I did last month on how it drove him: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
UPDATE: Trump just said on Air Force One that the U.S. is "in charge" of Venezuela, despite Rubio veering away from any suggestion of direct control earlier. Trump also said the post-Maduro leaders must give him "total access" to the oil. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/u...
January 5, 2026 at 3:06 AM
UPDATE: Trump just said on Air Force One that the U.S. is "in charge" of Venezuela, despite Rubio veering away from any suggestion of direct control earlier. Trump also said the post-Maduro leaders must give him "total access" to the oil. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/u...
Rubio said the US Navy will keep up a "quarantine" of some Venezuelan oil to coerce Maduro's allies to open up the oil industry. A White House official said that's what Trump meant when he said the US will "run" Venezuela. It's the new gunboat diplomacy. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/u...
Rubio Stresses U.S. Plan to Coerce Venezuela Rather Than Govern It
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Rubio said the US Navy will keep up a "quarantine" of some Venezuelan oil to coerce Maduro's allies to open up the oil industry. A White House official said that's what Trump meant when he said the US will "run" Venezuela. It's the new gunboat diplomacy. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/u...
It was always about regime change. Here's our @nytimes story from September breaking the news that Rubio was leading an effort in the Trump administration to oust Maduro, with the support of Miller and Ratcliffe. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
Top Trump Aides Push for Ousting Maduro From Power in Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:52 PM
It was always about regime change. Here's our @nytimes story from September breaking the news that Rubio was leading an effort in the Trump administration to oust Maduro, with the support of Miller and Ratcliffe. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
Our @nytimes.com story from last week broke the news that US officials had discussed a “Phase Two” land operation against Maduro that would involve Delta Force. It’s the definitive story on how Trump, Rubio and Miller converged on the actions today. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/u...
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Our @nytimes.com story from last week broke the news that US officials had discussed a “Phase Two” land operation against Maduro that would involve Delta Force. It’s the definitive story on how Trump, Rubio and Miller converged on the actions today. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/u...
NEW: Venezuela has detained 5 Americans since Trump's military escalation against Maduro. One is James Luckey-Lange, 28, who entered Venezuela from Guyana. US officials have discussed whether he and another detainee should be labeled unlawful detainees. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/w...
December 31, 2025 at 7:23 PM
NEW: Venezuela has detained 5 Americans since Trump's military escalation against Maduro. One is James Luckey-Lange, 28, who entered Venezuela from Guyana. US officials have discussed whether he and another detainee should be labeled unlawful detainees. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/w...
Reposted by Edward Wong
NEW: Rubio and Miller drove the US to a militarized clash with Venezuela and Maduro. They started with deportations to CECOT. Then talks with Trump on oil and drugs led to boat strikes. Officials have discussed using Delta Force in "Phase Two." Gift link to our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/u...
December 27, 2025 at 7:49 PM
NEW: Rubio and Miller drove the US to a militarized clash with Venezuela and Maduro. They started with deportations to CECOT. Then talks with Trump on oil and drugs led to boat strikes. Officials have discussed using Delta Force in "Phase Two." Gift link to our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/u...
Has the US carried out an attack in Venezuela? Trump said in a podcast interview on 12/26 that the US had hit a “facility” where supposed drug-running boats come from. The US has killed Venezuelans in boats from 9/2 to now in a military campaign. Story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/u...
December 29, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Has the US carried out an attack in Venezuela? Trump said in a podcast interview on 12/26 that the US had hit a “facility” where supposed drug-running boats come from. The US has killed Venezuelans in boats from 9/2 to now in a military campaign. Story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/u...
NEW: Rubio and Miller drove the US to a militarized clash with Venezuela and Maduro. They started with deportations to CECOT. Then talks with Trump on oil and drugs led to boat strikes. Officials have discussed using Delta Force in "Phase Two." Gift link to our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/u...
December 27, 2025 at 7:49 PM
NEW: Rubio and Miller drove the US to a militarized clash with Venezuela and Maduro. They started with deportations to CECOT. Then talks with Trump on oil and drugs led to boat strikes. Officials have discussed using Delta Force in "Phase Two." Gift link to our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/u...
The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 ambassadors, all of whom are career diplomats. A union says there has never been such a mass recall in the history of the foreign service. Morale has been plummeting in the State Department all year. Story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/u...
Trump Administration Orders Nearly 30 U.S. Ambassadors to Leave Their Posts
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:06 AM
The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 ambassadors, all of whom are career diplomats. A union says there has never been such a mass recall in the history of the foreign service. Morale has been plummeting in the State Department all year. Story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/u...
NEW: US gunboat diplomacy — Trump's order to do a blockade of some oil tankers by Venezuela surprised the Pentagon. Maduro orders the navy to escort ships, risking a conflict on the high seas. Trump says he aims to seize the country's oil and other assets. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/u...
December 18, 2025 at 12:31 PM
NEW: US gunboat diplomacy — Trump's order to do a blockade of some oil tankers by Venezuela surprised the Pentagon. Maduro orders the navy to escort ships, risking a conflict on the high seas. Trump says he aims to seize the country's oil and other assets. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/u...
Trump orders US forces to stop oil tankers going to and from Venezuela that have been sanctioned by the US. This could cut into Venezuela's oil revenues. It's an escalation of Trump's military operations and pressure campaign against Maduro. Our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Trump Orders Blockade of Some Oil Tankers to and From Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Trump orders US forces to stop oil tankers going to and from Venezuela that have been sanctioned by the US. This could cut into Venezuela's oil revenues. It's an escalation of Trump's military operations and pressure campaign against Maduro. Our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
NEW: Trump covets Venezuela's oil. He has talked about seizing it. His envoy secretly pushed Maduro on it. Machado, the opposition leader, tells Trump's allies that she'll open up the industry to US companies. And US officials talk about pushing out China. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Venezuela’s Oil Is a Focus of Trump’s Campaign Against Maduro
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:58 PM
NEW: Trump covets Venezuela's oil. He has talked about seizing it. His envoy secretly pushed Maduro on it. Machado, the opposition leader, tells Trump's allies that she'll open up the industry to US companies. And US officials talk about pushing out China. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
I watched “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” in a cinema over the weekend, which I recommend doing. I can’t help but wonder: Who would win in a fight — The Bride or John Wick?
December 15, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I watched “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” in a cinema over the weekend, which I recommend doing. I can’t help but wonder: Who would win in a fight — The Bride or John Wick?
How many Americans know the US has National Guard troops in Syria? They’re being killed. A US civilian interpreter was also killed in this attack by a single Islamic State fighter, US officials said. Trump promised to bring US troops home from conflict zones and not start wars.
December 15, 2025 at 1:48 PM
How many Americans know the US has National Guard troops in Syria? They’re being killed. A US civilian interpreter was also killed in this attack by a single Islamic State fighter, US officials said. Trump promised to bring US troops home from conflict zones and not start wars.
Waking up to the horrific news of at least 11 killed in a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12.... And developments in the hunt for the mass shooter who killed and injured Brown University students in the US: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Live Updates: Police Say Jewish Community Targeted in Deadly Sydney Attack
www.nytimes.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Waking up to the horrific news of at least 11 killed in a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12.... And developments in the hunt for the mass shooter who killed and injured Brown University students in the US: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Reposted by Edward Wong
NEW: Rubio's longtime goal of crippling or toppling Cuba's leaders is tied to Venezuela. He has said if the government in Caracas falls, Havana could follow. He and Trump are pressuring Maduro to abdicate — and could use the CIA or US military. Gift link to our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
For Rubio the Cuba Hawk, the Road to Havana Runs Through Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:16 PM
NEW: Rubio's longtime goal of crippling or toppling Cuba's leaders is tied to Venezuela. He has said if the government in Caracas falls, Havana could follow. He and Trump are pressuring Maduro to abdicate — and could use the CIA or US military. Gift link to our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
NEW: Rubio's longtime goal of crippling or toppling Cuba's leaders is tied to Venezuela. He has said if the government in Caracas falls, Havana could follow. He and Trump are pressuring Maduro to abdicate — and could use the CIA or US military. Gift link to our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
For Rubio the Cuba Hawk, the Road to Havana Runs Through Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:16 PM
NEW: Rubio's longtime goal of crippling or toppling Cuba's leaders is tied to Venezuela. He has said if the government in Caracas falls, Havana could follow. He and Trump are pressuring Maduro to abdicate — and could use the CIA or US military. Gift link to our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
Trump escalates his military pressure campaign against Maduro. Here’s everything you need to know about the US seizing a tanker carrying Venezuelan oil in the Caribbean Sea: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/u...
What to Know About Trump’s Seizure of an Oil Tanker Near Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Trump escalates his military pressure campaign against Maduro. Here’s everything you need to know about the US seizing a tanker carrying Venezuelan oil in the Caribbean Sea: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/u...
Reposted by Edward Wong
NEW: Pentagon lawyers asked State Dept. if US could send survivors of Trump's boat strikes to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Then Pentagon pushed to have survivors sent anywhere but the US — to prevent any US court cases. Gift link to our @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
Inside the Pentagon’s Scramble to Deal With Boat Strike Survivors
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:41 AM
NEW: Pentagon lawyers asked State Dept. if US could send survivors of Trump's boat strikes to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Then Pentagon pushed to have survivors sent anywhere but the US — to prevent any US court cases. Gift link to our @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
The latest strike in the Trump administration's war on "woke":
Rubio orders State Dept. to abandon the Calibri typeface and return to Times New Roman. Blinken had State adopt Calibri —a sans serif typeface is easier for people who have a hard time reading. Story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
Rubio orders State Dept. to abandon the Calibri typeface and return to Times New Roman. Blinken had State adopt Calibri —a sans serif typeface is easier for people who have a hard time reading. Story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
December 10, 2025 at 3:43 AM
The latest strike in the Trump administration's war on "woke":
Rubio orders State Dept. to abandon the Calibri typeface and return to Times New Roman. Blinken had State adopt Calibri —a sans serif typeface is easier for people who have a hard time reading. Story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
Rubio orders State Dept. to abandon the Calibri typeface and return to Times New Roman. Blinken had State adopt Calibri —a sans serif typeface is easier for people who have a hard time reading. Story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
NEW: Pentagon lawyers asked State Dept. if US could send survivors of Trump's boat strikes to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Then Pentagon pushed to have survivors sent anywhere but the US — to prevent any US court cases. Gift link to our @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
Inside the Pentagon’s Scramble to Deal With Boat Strike Survivors
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:41 AM
NEW: Pentagon lawyers asked State Dept. if US could send survivors of Trump's boat strikes to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Then Pentagon pushed to have survivors sent anywhere but the US — to prevent any US court cases. Gift link to our @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
Marine veteran Phil Klay writes in The New York Times about Trump’s strikes that have killed more than 80 people in boats, including survivors waving into the air: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/o...
December 6, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Marine veteran Phil Klay writes in The New York Times about Trump’s strikes that have killed more than 80 people in boats, including survivors waving into the air: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/o...
Reposted by Edward Wong
NEW: The National Guard shooting suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was shaken by bloodshed with his CIA-trained Zero Unit. In the US, he went into "dark isolation" and disappeared on cross-country drives, a volunteer's emails warned in Jan. 2024. Our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
A Volunteer’s Dire Warnings About the National Guard Shooting Suspect
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:53 PM
NEW: The National Guard shooting suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was shaken by bloodshed with his CIA-trained Zero Unit. In the US, he went into "dark isolation" and disappeared on cross-country drives, a volunteer's emails warned in Jan. 2024. Our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
The most notable thing about this State Dept. press release: Trump and Rubio decided to literally replace the United States with Trump. The building that was called the U.S. Institute of Peace is now the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.
December 4, 2025 at 11:07 PM
The most notable thing about this State Dept. press release: Trump and Rubio decided to literally replace the United States with Trump. The building that was called the U.S. Institute of Peace is now the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.