Latin America

• Trump Is Making a Power Play in Latin America. China Is Already There. - China built a dominant strategic position in the region as the leading lender and trading partner. It is watching President Trump’s next moves closely.
• Venezuela Announces the Release of Political Prisoners - The release, which was expected to happen later on Thursday, offers the first gesture of conciliation under an interim government, even as arrests and crackdowns continue.
• Trump Says ‘We Need Greenland’ and Threatens U.S. Action in Colombia and Mexico - On Air Force One, President Trump threatened Colombia and its president, described Cuba as “ready to fall” and reasserted his desire to acquire Greenland.
• For Mamdani, a Break With the President Just Three Days Into His New Job - New York City’s newly elected mayor planned to spend Saturday announcing a pedestrian safety plan. Then President Trump brought a captured foreign leader to his doorstep.
• A Pardon and a Prosecution in New York Show Trump’s Personal Geopolitics - The facts in the cases of Nicolás Maduro and Juan Orlando Hernández are strikingly similar. The men’s fates are not.
• The Venezuela Takeover - Here’s what you need to know about the U.S. incursion into Venezuela.
• Venezuela Detains Americans Amid Growing U.S. Pressure - 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.
• Pope Leo Makes Christmas Call for Dialogue to Address World’s Conflicts - Leo XIV’s Christmas address was his first since being elected pontiff and was scrutinized for comparisons with those of his predecessor, Francis.
• Chile Poised for Right-Wing Victory as Crime Fears Sweep Latin America - Security has become a top concern for voters across the region who are calling for iron-fisted measures. In Chile, the issue is pushing the country to the right.
• Admiral hands over leadership of command overseeing the Trump administration's boat strikes - A U.S. Navy admiral who oversees military operations in Latin America handed off command responsibilities Friday as scrutiny increases over the Trump administration's deadly strikes on alleged drug boats in the region. Adm. Alvin Holsey ha