In a sharp escalation of rhetoric following the U.S. military action that targeted Venezuelan state infrastructure, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez accused Israel of playing a role in the operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Celia Flores.
Speaking during an address in which she convened the National Defense Council, Rodríguez charged that the strike bore ideological fingerprints she described as foreign and hostile. “The governments of the world are shocked that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is the victim and target of an attack of this nature, which undoubtedly has Zionist undertones,” she said. “It’s truly shameful.”
Rodríguez rejected statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that she had been sworn in as Venezuela’s president or had expressed readiness to cooperate with Washington. She insisted that Maduro remains the nation’s sole legitimate leader and said security forces had already secured key government installations.
She also demanded the immediate release of both Maduro and Flores, arguing that their detention was carried out under false pretenses as part of a broader effort to impose regime change and gain control over Venezuela’s natural resources.
The vice president’s comments have raised concerns among members of Venezuela’s small Jewish community, both inside the country and among Venezuelans living abroad, amid fears that such rhetoric could inflame tensions or invite reprisals.
The latest accusations echo earlier remarks by Maduro himself during a period of heightened friction between Caracas and Washington late last year. At a November 15 Bolivarian Integral Base Committee event, he blamed Zionists for seeking Venezuela’s destruction. “There are those who want to hand this country over to the devils – you know who, right? The far Right Zionists want to hand this country over to the devils,” Maduro said. “Who will prevail? The people of [King] David, the people of God, the people of [Simón] Bolívar, or the imperialist demons?”
During that same period, Maduro repeatedly stressed that Venezuela is a Christian nation, questioning why the United States would seek to harm Christians as U.S. forces increased their presence in the Caribbean and carried out strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
{Matzav.com}
Rudy Giuliani said the federal case against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro could result in sweeping financial consequences, including the confiscation of enormous sums of money and property tied to criminal activity.
In an interview on Newsmax’s “Saturday Report,” the former New York City mayor and longtime federal prosecutor said the use of racketeering statutes is central to the government’s strategy. “The real value of a racketeering charge is that you can seize the business and take it away from them,” Giuliani said.
According to Giuliani, a conviction would allow U.S. authorities to target not only individuals but entire criminal enterprises, including drug routes, infrastructure, and cash flows both inside Venezuela and abroad. “So, assuming a conviction on some, if not all of the charges, we would stand to seize billions and billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains, which then could be used for our benefit, for the benefit of the people of Venezuela, and to destroy this animal.”
He said the scope of potential punishment is still unclear at this stage, but emphasized the severity of the charges. Alongside racketeering counts, Maduro faces terrorism-related allegations that could carry the most serious penalties available under federal law, including life imprisonment or even capital punishment.
Giuliani noted that prosecutors are now adjusting their approach following Maduro’s detention by U.S. authorities. “The criminal penalties are significant,” he said, adding that the government’s legal teams will sharpen their focus as the case moves closer to trial. “I suspect it will now be refined for trial and focus in on the defendants that are going to be the focus of the trial.”
He also argued that Maduro’s alleged criminal network has had far-reaching consequences well beyond Venezuela. “He’s been enormously damaging to the United States. Drugs, massive numbers, Tren de Aragua, helping Iran constantly, and giving aid and assistance to China and Russia,” Giuliani said.
Giuliani sharply criticized the administration of Joe Biden, saying it failed to confront the expansion of Maduro’s alleged criminal operations and allowed them to grow unchecked.
By contrast, Giuliani said the current administration marks a dramatic shift. With President Donald Trump back in the White House, he said the moment represents a turning point. “So, this is an unbelievably great day for the people of Venezuela and for the people of America.”
Trump announced overnight that U.S. special operations forces had carried out a surprise operation to extract Maduro from his compound in Venezuela, also detaining his wife during the mission.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio later said the operation should serve as a warning to other criminally active leaders around the world, signaling that Trump’s administration intends to upend the status quo.
{Matzav.com}
Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Meir Ber, has been appointed to serve as the rov of the Raananim Shul in Yerushalayim. He will be filling the position previously held by Rav Avigdor Berstein zt”l, who passed away during Chanukah.
It has emerged that in recent weeks, the Ahavas Chaim kehillah—comprised primarily of young families from the neighborhood—officially joined the Raananim Shul. The unification was orchestrated by Rav Berstein in the final period of his life.
With Rav Bar now assuming the role of shul rov, the move is seen as a continuation and strengthening of that vision.
The Ahavas Chaim kehillah was founded approximately four and a half years ago, during the aftermath of the COVID period, by young families from the Talbiya–Rechavia area and nearby neighborhoods. Their goal was to establish a vibrant, meaningful Torah community in the heart of Yerushalayim.
The community brings together families from diverse backgrounds—French- and English-speaking olim alongside native Israelis; chareidi and dati-leumi families; Ashkenazim and Sephardim—creating a warm, inclusive, and close-knit environment. Its activities focus on providing Torah and educational programming tailored specifically to young families choosing to settle once again in central Yerushalayim, with a strong emphasis on shared learning, tefillah, and communal life.
During the week, the kehillah operates an evening kollel, where members gather for regular Torah learning.
It is noteworthy that the site houses an ancient and striking aron kodesh and bimah dating back to the 18th century, brought from Italy. At the dedication of the aron kodesh in Padua, a special tefillah was composed by the Ramchal, adding a layer of historical and spiritual significance to the shul now led by the Chief Rabbi.
{Matzav.com}
