Secretary of State Marco Rubio touted the "tremendous leverage and control" the United States now exerts over Venezuela's oil industry and suggested Venezuela wants the oil captured in the Caribbean Wednesday by U.S. forces to be a part of its export deal with the administration.

Most Americans said they wanted the U.S. government to focus in 2026 on domestic issues, such as health care and high costs, rather than foreign policy issues.

The number of American citizens held in Venezuela has grown since the start of the U.S. military and economic campaign against President Nicolás Maduro.

The U.S. carried out operations Wednesday to seize two Venezuela-linked tankers, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. has "tremendous leverage" over the country.

The following is a deep look at contemporary Venezuela, its history, its riches, its alliances and its delicate internal balance of power amid growing tensions with the US.

The United States' military operation on Jan. 3 in Venezuela is of interest to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living here, especially Florida.

The military operation against Venezuela’s government and capture of President Nicolas Maduro sent shockwaves to Venezuelans living in the U.S. and in our community, many of whom are wondering what happens next.

U.S. ​Vice President ‌JD Vance, in remarks ​due to air later on ‍Wednesday, said Venezuela ​can only sell ​its ⁠oil if it serves the interests of the United States. Vance told Fox News' "Jesse Waters Primetime" ‌show that the United States - ​which carried ‌out strikes ‍against the ⁠South American country and captured its president over the week - controls Venezuela's purse strings.