Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Nicolas Maduro

Also known as: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro · President Nicolás Maduro · Maduro · the deposed president · President Maduro · Venezuela's Maduro · Nicolaás Maduro · Venezuela's president · the Venezuelan president · His Excellency Nicolás Maduro · Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro · ousted leader · Leftist strongman Maduro · deposed Venezuelan president

Venezuelan president captured by US military forces in January 2026, referenced in regional coverage of geopolitics and energy crises.

World & Region

Trump threatens devastating Iran strikes by Wednesday deadline

The News

President Trump has issued an explicit ultimatum demanding Iran reach an acceptable agreement by Tuesday 20:00 Washington time or face new strikes that would "decimate" bridges and power plants, though Iran has so far rejected the ceasefire and made "maximalist" counter-demands, leaving unclear whether negotiations are progressing behind closed doors.

7 April 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Trump threatens devastating Iran strikes by Wednesday deadline

    President Trump has issued an explicit ultimatum demanding Iran reach an acceptable agreement by Tuesday 20:00 Washington time or face new strikes that would "decimate" bridges and power plants, though Iran has so far rejected the ceasefire and made "maximalist" counter-demands, leaving unclear whether negotiations are progressing behind closed doors.

    7 April 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Russia delivers oil to Cuba as US blockade persists

    Russia's sanctioned tanker Anatoly Kolodkin carrying 730,000 barrels of crude has reached Cuba, the first oil shipment since January when the US removed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, depriving Cuba of its main energy supplier and triggering fuel shortages and blackouts on the island.

    31 March 2026 · New Era

  2. Iran and Israel escalate strikes amid US military threats

    Israel and Iran exchanged missile fire as US President Trump signals possible military operations against Iran's oil infrastructure, sending global oil prices toward US$100–$117 per barrel. The Middle East conflict is disrupting global energy supplies, with analysts warning that further US or Iranian action could drive prices to historic highs.

    31 March 2026 · New Era

Thursday 5 March

  1. China sets lowest economic growth target since 1991

    China has announced an annual economic growth target of 4.5–5%, the lowest since 1991, as it faces domestic challenges including weak consumption, a shrinking population, and property crisis, alongside global trade tensions and energy pressures. The target, released during China's "two sessions" political gathering, signals a shift to more flexible goals while Beijing pursues investments in innovation, green energy, and efforts to boost household consumption.

    5 March 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 27 February

  1. Editorial calls for lifting of US embargo on Cuba

    New Era editorial argues the six-decade US economic embargo on Cuba is a "man-made humanitarian crisis" that has failed its political objectives while causing severe suffering to ordinary Cubans through trade bans, financial restrictions, and energy shortages. The piece calls for the United States to lift the embargo and allow Cuba to rejoin the global economy, noting Namibia's historical solidarity with Cuba and international opposition to the blockade.

    27 February 2026 · New Era

  2. Sam Nujoma Foundation criticises US embargo on Cuba

    The Sam Nujoma Foundation has described Cuba's worsening economic conditions as a "man-made humanitarian crisis" caused by intensified US sanctions that have morphed from a Cold War trade embargo into a complex web of financial and secondary sanctions. The crisis has deepened since Venezuela cut off oil supplies after January political changes, triggering rolling blackouts, medicine shortages and tourism decline that Cuban and regional officials warn threatens the island's survival and stability across the Caribbean.

    27 February 2026 · New Era

Thursday 26 February

  1. US oil blockade deepens Cuba energy crisis, upends daily life

    A US-imposed oil blockade on Cuba, intensified after the fall of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro in January, has triggered severe fuel shortages and rolling blackouts, forcing workers to abandon cars and change jobs, with 96.4% of private businesses reporting severe or catastrophic impacts and food imports crippled by diesel shortages.

    26 February 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Venezuela's acting leader balances US pressure and Chavista loyalists

    Delcy Rodríguez, the new Venezuelan leader, faces pressure from US President Trump while maintaining support from her socialist base. She has agreed to oil deals with the US while continuing anti-imperialist rhetoric to keep her Chavista coalition intact, though analysts say she retains some leverage over Trump through his need to present Maduro's removal as successful.

    18 February 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 13 February

  1. Venezuela advances historic amnesty bill for political prisoners

    Venezuela debated a landmark amnesty bill aimed at releasing political prisoners detained under Nicolas Maduro and Hugo Chavez, with interim president Delcy Rodriguez having already released over 400 prisoners and ordered closure of the notorious Helicoide prison. The attorney general said the amnesty should apply to both opposition and government figures and called for dialogue and peace.

    13 February 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 10 February

  1. Russia condemns US sanctions on Cuba amid energy crisis

    The Kremlin accused the United States of using "suffocating measures" against Cuba as the island faces a worsening energy crisis following a US-ordered halt in oil shipments from Venezuela and new US tariffs threatening supplies from Mexico. Cuba has announced emergency measures including a four-day workweek and fuel restrictions as power plants struggle to maintain electricity.

    10 February 2026 · New Era

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