Feb 4, 2020 - World

Venezuela’s Juan Guaidó to attend State of the Union

Dave Lawler

Juan Guaidó. Photo: Saul Martinez / Stringer /Getty Images

Juan Guaidó, Venezuela's embattled opposition leader, will attend Tuesday night's State of the Union address as part of an overseas tour designed to breathe new life into his push for power, Bloomberg first reported and Axios has confirmed from a Trump administration official.

Why it matters: Guaidó visited Europe and now the U.S. in defiance of a travel ban imposed by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The U.S. recognized Guaidó as Venezuela’s rightful leader about 13 months ago, but his effort to dislodge Maduro has become increasingly desperate. 

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Dave Lawler

U.S. targets Russian oil giant in escalating campaign vs. Venezuela

Maduro and Putin in 2015. Photo: Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images

The Trump administration today announced sanctions on Rosneft Trading, a subsidiary of Russian oil giant Rosneft, for helping to keep Venezuela's Maduro regime afloat by facilitating oil exports.

Why it matters: Senior administration officials announcing the sanctions in a call with reporters framed the step as a warning not only to Rosneft but to Russia. They described it as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign that is currently "50-60%" implemented and will continue to ramp up as long as Nicolás Maduro refuses to give up power.

Go deeperArrowFeb 18, 2020 - World
Zachary Basu

Key takeaways from Trump's State of the Union address

Speaker Pelosi reacts to having her handshake snubbed by President Trump, as Vice President Mike Pence looks on. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

An impeached President Trump struck a defiant and hyperbolic tone in his third State of the Union address on Tuesday night, a day before he's set to be acquitted by the Senate.

Inside the room: Tension permeated the House chamber from the outset. Trump snubbed a handshake from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, only to be met with a retaliatory slight of his own when Pelosi failed to apply the honorific language typically used to introduce presidents at joint sessions of Congress.

Go deeperArrowFeb 5, 2020 - Politics & Policy
Rebecca Falconer

In photos: Trump delivers State of the Union address

Vice President Mike Pence claps as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appears to rip a copy of President Trump's speech after he delivers the State of the Union address at the Capitol on Tuesday. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump delivered his State of the Union address during what was an eventful night at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Details: From Trump appearing to snub House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's handshake before his address, to special guests appearances and Pelosi ripping up her copy of the president's speech at the end — here's how all the drama unfolded, in photos.

See photosArrowFeb 5, 2020 - Politics & Policy