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DEFIANT MADURO CLAIMS INNOCENCE, HOLDS ON TO VENEZUELA PRESIDENCY
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Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | 16 Rajabul Murajjab, 1447
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MADURO PLEADS ‘NOT GUILTY’ UPON ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK COURT AFTER CAPTURE
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 182 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
INTERIM VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ CALLS FOR ‘BALANCED AND RESPECTFUL’ RELATIONSHIP WITH WASHINGTON
US PRESIDENT TRUMP SEEKS ‘TOTAL ACCESS’ TO VENEZUELAN OIL NEW YORK agenCies
EPOSED Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on Monday declared himself “innocent” and a “decent man,” saying he is still the president of his country, as he pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in a United States courtroom. “I was kidnapped,” Maduro said as he pleaded not guilty in US court. Earlier, Maduro arrived at a New York court on Monday, just days after being seized in Caracas in a shock US military operation that paved the path for Washington’s plans to control the oil-rich country. Meanwhile, Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez called for a “balanced and respectful” relationship with Washington during the transition of power, as President Donald Trump insists the US is in control of Venezuela. Maduro, 63, faces narcotrafficking charges along with his wife, Cilia Flores. The pair were forcibly taken out of Caracas in a US assault on Saturday, in which
commandos swooped in on helicopters, backed by fighter jets and naval forces, to capture them. On Monday morning, Maduro was escorted by heavily armed law enforcement officers to a courthouse in New York, having been transported by helicopter and armoured car. US President Trump has threatened further military action against Venezuela
Pakistan voices ‘profound concern’ at UNSC over US action in Venezuela, urges dialogue NEW YORK
staff report
Pakistan on Monday expressed “profound concern” over the rapidly unfolding situation in Venezuela, warning that escalating tensions posed serious risks to regional and international peace and security. The remarks were made during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), convened to discuss recent developments in Venezuela following a surprise US military operation on Saturday in which American special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The meeting marked the first UNSC session of the year, chaired by Somalia. Addressing the Council, Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representa-
tive to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, said that at a time when the international community was already grappling with multiple global crises, further instability in the region “does not augur well for regional and international peace and security”. He reminded Council members that the UN Charter obliges states to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country, and to respect sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Ambassador Jadoon cautioned that unilateral military action violated these “sacrosanct principles” as well as the doctrine of sovereign immunity, warning that such actions set dangerous precedents and risk undermining the global legal order.
as well as against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who dismisses the threat as “illegitimate”. Trump also warns Mexico it must “get its act together”. All eyes were on Venezuela’s response to the swiftly moving events, and late Sunday, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez stepped back from her initial defiance by offering to work with Trump.
“We extend an invitation to the US government to work together on an agenda for cooperation,” the former vice president said. Some 2,000 Maduro supporters, including rifle-wielding men on motorcycles, rallied Sunday in Caracas, with crowds shouting and waving Venezuelan flags. The Venezuelan military, loyal to Maduro, announced it recognised Rodriguez and urged calm. No Venezuela death toll has been announced, but Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said a “large part” of Maduro’s security team was killed “in cold blood”, as well as military personnel and civilians. Trump said late on Sunday that the United States was “in charge” of the South American nation, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that discussions of Venezuela holding elections following Maduro’s ouster were “premature.” ‘Need access to oil’ When asked what he needs from interim leader Rodriguez, Trump said, “We need total access.
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UN chief Guterres raises concerns about instability in Venezuela, legality of US operation NEW YORK reuters
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised concerns on Monday about a possible intensification of instability in Venezuela after the US capture of the Latin American country’s president Nicolas Maduro. The 15-member Security Council met at UN headquarters in New York just hours before Maduro was due to appear in a Manhattan federal court on drug charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy. Maduro has denied any criminal involvement. “I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted,” Guterres said in a statement delivered to the council by UN po-
litical affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo. Guterres called on all Venezuelan actors to engage in an inclusive and democratic dialogue, adding: “I welcome and am ready to support all efforts aimed at assisting Venezuelans in finding a peaceful way forward.” He also expressed concern that the US operation to capture Maduro in Caracas on Saturday did not respect the rules of international law. ‘Act of aggression’ Colombia, which requested Monday’s meeting, condemned the US operation as a clear violation of the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Venezuela. “There is no justification whatsoever, under any circumstances, for the unilateral use of force to commit an act of aggression,” Colombian UN Ambassador Leonor Zalabata Torres told the council.
PM for expediting measures to provide loans to SMEs on easy terms ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the relevant institutions to expedite measures for providing loans to small and medium enterprises on easy terms through banks and other financial institutions. Chairing a meeting regarding Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) here at the PM House, the prime minister commended Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar and SMEDA’s newly elected Board of Directors for formulating a practical and effective plan. “Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the country's economy,” the prime minister said adding that, “There is immense potential to increase the country’s exports through the development of small and medium enterprise”. A three-year roadmap for the promotion of small and medium enterprises was presented in the meeting besides a detailed briefing on the problems faced by SMEs and the plan of action to address them, the strat-
egy to include SMEs in the country’s exports, and other measures included in the business plan. A briefing was also given on ongoing measures to further enhance the existing cooperation with various countries to introduce Pakistan’s SME sector on a competitive basis in the global market. The meeting was briefed on enhancing the capacity of domestic SMEs, multiple workshops have recently been organized in 6 cities. It was informed that work was
also ongoing on several training programs to prepare small and medium enterprises for global competition. The prime minister was also informed about the measures regarding the participation of women and their full role in the SME sector. The meeting was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmed, Chief Secretaries of all four provinces and Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, newly elected board members of SMEDA, and officers from relevant institutions. PM visits Bangladesh High Commission to condole Khaleda Zia’s death Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday visited the Bangladesh High Commission here to express his condolences on the passing away of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The prime minister conveyed his condolences to the Charge d’Affaires of Bangladesh, recorded a message in the condolence book, and also offered Fateha for the departed soul.
Iranian Embassy says main group calls off protests after talks, security restores order ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
The Iranian Embassy in Islamabad on Monday stated that the main group of protesters, largely consisting of shopkeepers and trade guilds, had officially ended their lawful demonstrations following government engagement and confidence-building measures. The protests, which began last Sunday in response to rising prices and economic stagnation, quickly spread to 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces, affecting at least 45 cities, mostly small and medium-sized towns in the west. The demonstrations have since incorporated broader political demands. At least 12 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed since December 30 in localized clashes, while property damage has been reported in several western towns. The Fars news agency noted that gatherings and their geographic reach had notably decreased by Sunday night compared with previous days. According to the embassy, the Iranian government promptly acknowledged the protests and initiated talks through relevant authorities, with President Masoud Pezeshkian leading the negotiations. Agreements were reached to address the concerns of shopkeepers and trade associations, which the embassy said helped stabilise the situation. The embassy accused external actors, including Israel and the United States, of attempting to exploit the unrest through cyberspace and public statements supporting protesters. It added that security forces quickly contained illegal elements and prevented escalation. Meanwhile, internet services have been restored nationwide, although minor and temporary speed reductions remain in place for security and cybersecurity reasons. Limited clusters of illegal protests in a few remote areas were reportedly dispersed promptly by law enforcement, while calm has returned to most cities. The embassy praised lawful protesters for adhering to legal frameworks, which it said helped prevent the situation from worsening. It further claimed that some arrested rioters admitted to links with foreign agencies and receiving financial support from abroad. Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam also issued a statement on the allegations regarding the supreme leader of Islamic Republic of Iran.
Venezuela’s VP assumes power after Maduro arrest by US forces PARIS
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Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed temporary control of the country following the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. In a nationally televised address, Rodríguez declared that Venezuela will not become a colony of any foreign power. The move follows a late-night directive from Venezuela’s Supreme Court, which instructed Vice President Rodríguez to take over all duties and powers associated with the presidential office in a caretaker capacity. Addressing the nation, Rodríguez affirmed that the government is prepared to defend the country and protect its natural resources. She urged citizens to maintain patience and unity in safeguarding the nation. Meanwhile, details of criminal charges against President Maduro and his wife have been released by US authorities. US Attorney General Pamela Bandy stated that Maduro faces narcotics and terrorism-related charges, alleging that weapons were intended for use against the United States. Both Maduro and his wife have now been indicted in New York and will have to face American courts. A $50 million reward had been announced for Maduro’s capture. International media reported that US forces dragged Maduro and his wife from their residence. President Donald Trump, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials, monitored the operation live. The special Delta Force unit carried out the arrest, with FBI agents also participating.
Major terror plot foiled in Karachi as CTD seizes 2,000kg explosives, arrests three KARACHI
staff report
The Sindh Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Monday announced that a major terrorist attack in Karachi had been successfully foiled following a joint intelligencebased operation. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi alongside CTD Additional Inspector General Zulfiqar Ali Larik, CTD Deputy Inspector General Ghulam Azfar Mahesar said law enforcement agencies, in coordination with the country’s premier intelligence agency, received credible information about a planned terrorist attack aimed at destabilising national security. Mahesar said the terrorists intended to strike specific targets in the metropolis. Acting on the intelligence, a coordinated strategy was devised involving the Intelligence
Bureau, Special Branch, and CTD units of Sindh and Balochistan, with a particular focus on Karachi’s western districts. After days of surveillance and intelligence gathering, officials traced a terrorist hideout in Raees Goth, where a large cache of explosives had been prepared. A joint raid by the Sindh CTD and the premier intelligence agency led to the arrest of one terrorist, while three to four others managed to flee. A search operation was subsequently launched to apprehend the escapees. During the raid, authorities recovered a Mazda truck loaded with explosive material, including 30 drums and five cylinders filled with explosives, detonators, and a total of approximately 2,000 kilograms of explosives. Further raids were conducted at six additional locations based on information obtained from the arrested suspect, resulting in the arrest of two more terrorists and the re-
covery of more explosive material. In total, three terrorists were taken into custody. According to Mahesar, initial interrogation revealed that the suspects were linked to the Bashir Zeb network of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade. He said the planning of the attack was carried out from outside the country, and facilitators and handlers involved in the network had been identified. Mahesar said multiple teams were conducting raids to arrest remaining suspects, adding that the seized explosives were “ready to go” and consisted of a mix of commercial and smuggled materials, some of which had been transported through Balochistan’s mountainous regions. He termed the operation a major achievement by all participating agencies and said further details would be shared as the investigation progressed.