U.S. Visa Bans Ignite Diplomatic Tensions, Venezuela and U.S. Conduct Prisoner Swap, Trinidad Declares State of Emergency
By Tiana Cole | HGP nightly News
Brazil Rejects U.S. Visa Sanctions Over Bolsonaro Probe
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has condemned the U.S. decision to impose visa bans on officials involved in the judicial proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro, calling it “arbitrary”, “baseless”, and a violation of national sovereignty.
The bans, announced Friday, target Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, his family, and other unnamed court officials, in response to their role in authorizing search warrants and restraining orders linked to Bolsonaro’s alleged coup plot following the 2022 presidential elections.
Lula said foreign interference in the judicial process was “unacceptable,” escalating already strained relations between Washington and Latin America’s largest economy.
Venezuela–U.S. Prisoner Exchange Concluded
In a rare diplomatic deal, 252 Venezuelans previously detained in El Salvador—many accused of gang affiliations—returned home to Caracas over the weekend as part of a prisoner swap with the United States.
In exchange, 10 American nationals held in Venezuela were released and flown out via El Salvador, according to officials from all three countries.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the Americans’ release, thanking partners for facilitating the agreement. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro welcomed the returnees, who arrived aboard two aircraft in Caracas.
Trinidad and Tobago Declares State of Emergency
Trinidad and Tobago is now under a nationwide State of Emergency following a declaration by President Christine Kangaloo, triggered by what officials describe as a coordinated national security threat.
The move follows intelligence from Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher, indicating the emergence of a sophisticated criminal network operating from within the prison system.
Authorities report that contraband phones were being used to organize attacks targeting senior police, judiciary, DPP offices, and prison officials. The group is reportedly involved in kidnappings, extortion, home invasions, and efforts to infiltrate state-funded programs.
The emergency declaration is immediate and indefinite as national security forces work to stabilize the situation.
