Venezuela’s acting leader says ‘Zionist undertones’ marked US capture of Maduro
(JTA) — Venezuela’s acting leader, in an address to the nation on Jan. 4, said there were “Zionist undertones” to the U.S. military’s capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Delcy Rodriguez, a vice president under Maduro who is now the interim leader, has demanded the “immediate release” of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, since they were captured by U.S. forces on Jan. 4. Maduro and Flores were flown to New York City, where they will appear in federal court on drug-trafficking and other charges on Monday.
“Governments around the world are simply shocked that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is the victim and target of an attack of this nature, which undoubtedly has Zionist undertones,” Rodriguez said in the televised address. “It is truly shameful.”
President Donald Trump doubled down on his assertion that the United States was “in charge” of Venezuela on Sunday night, telling reporters that he demanded “total access” from Rodriguez.
“We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country,” Trump said.
Rodriguez’s reference to “Zionist” influence echoed past statements by Maduro. The president said that “Zionists” were facilitating Venezuela’s takeover as the United States ramped up its military campaign, including strikes on boats and a naval buildup in the Caribbean Sea, over recent months.
Germany probes 55 troops over extremism, antisemitic speech
(JNS) — German military authorities have dishonorably discharged three special forces troops out of 19 being investigated for far-right extremism and antisemitic rhetoric, an army spokesperson told the DPA news agency on Dec. 29.
The investigation within Paratrooper Regiment 26, which has about 1,700 troops, involves more than 200 alleged offenses and 55 potential suspects, 16 of whom were subject to ongoing “dismissal proceedings,” the spokesperson said.
Several female soldiers complained to the commissioner for the armed forces of the Bundestag, the German parliament, about what they described as sexual and inappropriate conduct of troops from the Regiment, DPA reported. It triggered an investigation that revealed the use of Nazi imagery or slogans, as well as Jew hatred, according to DPA.
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper reported that troops at the Regiment’s home base in Zweibrücken engaged in violent initiation rituals and drug use. There was a “right-wing extremist, openly antisemitic clique” in Zweibrücken, one unnamed source told the paper. There were reportedly “Hitler salutes and an alleged Nazi party.”
At least 30 soldiers are said to have been involved in right-wing extremist and antisemitic incidents, according to that report.
Netanyahu offers New Year wishes to Commonwealth of Independent States
(JNS) — “I want to wish all those from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) a Happy New Year! Snovym Godom!
“We have now passed two years of the War of Redemption. We have achieved tremendous accomplishments. We operated on seven fronts and prevailed over all our enemies. We did this thanks to the immense heroism of our fighters, among whom are many immigrants from the CIS countries.
“We did this through the united stand of the people — yours and that of all our citizens. We also did it thanks to the brave decisions we made at the political level. We have proven that Israel is a power; it is strong. I wish for you that we continue in this spirit in the coming year and the years to follow.
“You have a massive contribution to Israel’s security, in academia, in industry, in high-tech and everywhere, including in my own office. I have now appointed Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman to be the next director of the Mossad. I believe this expresses the excellence inherent in you.
“I wish for you that you continue to rise higher and higher for our country. Happy New Year! Snovym Godom!”
US sanctions network that procures drones for Iran, Venezuela
(JNS) — The U.S. Treasury Department took aim at weapons trading between Iran and Venezuela, announcing sanctions on Dec. 30 against 10 targets involved in the sale, import and procurement of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles.
“Treasury is holding Iran and Venezuela accountable for their aggressive and reckless proliferation of deadly weapons around the world,” stated John Hurley, U.S. treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
“We will continue to take swift action to deprive those who enable Iran’s military-industrial complex access to the U.S. financial system,” he said.
The department designated Qods Aviation Industries and its chair. The Venezuelan company helps import Iranian-designed drones in coordination with Iran’s previously sanctioned defense and armed forces logistics ministry, the Treasury Department said.
Empresa Aeronautica Nacional SA of Venezuela and its chair were also designated on Dec. 29. The department said that the company coordinates and negotiates the import and assembly of Iranian drones manufactured by QAI.
That includes maintenance of Iranian-made drones operated by the Venezuelan armed forces, those capable of launching air-to-ground guided bombs.
Several other Iranian chemical companies were sanctioned for manufacturing chemicals used in weapons, the U.S. government said.
