Venezuela

Former head of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro and wife Cilia Flores pleaded “not guilty” to drug and weapons charges in a Manhattan federal courtroom Monday.

The ousted dictator says he’s “still president” following the U.S. military operation that nabbed the couple from their Caracas home Saturday. They didn’t request bail and will remain detained in Brooklyn, with another hearing scheduled for March and a full trial expected in 2027.

The Trump Administration will brief Congress on Venezuela today. Democrats call the plan “vague,” illegal, and a distraction from domestic issues; Republicans are defending the “decisive and justified” operation. 

Meanwhile, Uncle Sam is maintaining a blockade on Venezuelan oil exports, pressuring the interim government to open the state-controlled energy industry to American investment. Acting president Delcy Rodríguez is offering “to work together” for “shared development.”

(We’re covering this story at a 7th-grade reading level with biblical reflection and action steps in Decaf: The Pour Over for Families. Sign up free to get it in your inbox tomorrow!)

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Political chaos doesn’t intimidate the King of kings. Uncertain times are an opportunity for believers to demonstrate our faith in His good leadership. 

“God ascends among shouts of joy, the LORD, with the sound of a ram’s horn. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our King, sing praise! Sing a song of wisdom, for God is King of the whole earth. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.” 
Psalm 47:5–8 (CSB) (read full passage)