Daily World Briefing, Jan. 6

Maduro pleads not guilty in U.S. court

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday pleaded not guilty to all U.S. charges during his first court appearance in New York.

"I am innocent, I am not guilty," Maduro told the court, adding that he was "kidnapped" at his home in Caracas and that he remains the president of Venezuela, according to media inside the courtroom.

Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, said at court that she is completely innocent of the charges brought against her by the United States.

Delcy Rodriguez sworn in as acting president of Venezuela

Delcy Rodriguez, previously vice president of Venezuela, was sworn in on Monday as the acting president of the country, after President Nicolas Maduro was taken by force on Jan. 3 during a U.S. military operation against the South American nation.

"I come with pain, because of the suffering that has been caused to the Venezuelan people, following an illegitimate military aggression against our homeland," Rodriguez said at a formal ceremony held in the capital Caracas.

"I swear by the people of Venezuela not to rest even a minute to guarantee the peace of the Republic," she added.

Venezuela urges action from UN Security Council following U.S. strikes

Venezuelan UN ambassador Samuel Moncada on Monday requested action from the Security Council following U.S. strikes against his country over the weekend.

Venezuela urges the Security Council to fully assume its responsibility and act in accordance with the mandate conferred on it by the UN Charter, Moncada told an emergency meeting of the council.

"In that regard, we request that the government of the United States of America be demanded to fully respect the immunities of (Venezuelan) President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, as well as their immediate release and safe return to Venezuela," said the ambassador.

U.S. military action against Venezuela lacks respect for int'l law: UN chief

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday voiced deep concern over the lack of respect for international law in the U.S. military action against Venezuela on Saturday.

"I remain deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected with regard to the Jan. 3 military action," said Guterres in a statement to the Security Council, read on his behalf by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo.

The UN Charter enshrines the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, the UN chief added.

Trump says another strike "sounds good" in warning to Colombian president

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro Sunday night, saying Petro "is not going to be doing it for very long."

When asked about the possibility of a U.S. military operation against Colombia, Trump replied, "It sounds good to me."

Colombia, which borders Venezuela, is "run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States," Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

Mexican president rejects U.S. intervention in Mexico to combat drug cartels

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday rejected the possibility of U.S. intervention in Mexico to combat drug cartels, stressing the importance of maintaining national sovereignty and strengthening the country's unity.

During her usual daily press conference, Sheinbaum dismissed the need for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly suggested sending U.S. troops to Mexico to combat drug trafficking.

Any security cooperation must be based on mutual respect, national sovereignty, and collaboration without subordination, she stressed.

Israel launches new wave of attacks in Lebanon

The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck Hezbollah and Hamas sites in Lebanon, citing "continued violations of the ceasefire understandings."

In an earlier statement, the military said it would target buildings in four villages, including Anan and Kfarhatta in southern Lebanon, as well as Al-Manara and Ain al-Tinah near the country's eastern border.

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) confirmed the airstrikes in the four targeted areas, reporting that four houses were destroyed and nearby homes, vehicles, and shops were severely damaged. A missile also failed to explode at one site in Kfarhatta, cutting off the road.■