Maduro says US shares 'fake news' about Venezuela, calls for 'victory' in 2026

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro highlighted women’s leadership at the inauguration of the International Women's Leadership School in Aragua, while criticizing U.S. media for spreading “fake news” about his country. He positioned women at the forefront of his vision for 2026, calling it the “year of the admirable challenge.”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro emphasized the importance of women in leadership during the inauguration of the International Women's Leadership School in Aragua on Tuesday, December 30, while also criticizing U.S. media coverage of his country.

Speaking at the event, Maduro accused the United States of spreading misinformation about Venezuela, stating, "The United States wants to impose a veto on us and only broadcast fake news and war against a noble country like Venezuela in the United States. Everything they say is a lie." He urged attendees to challenge what he described as a misleading media narrative.

Maduro placed women at the center of his vision for 2026, saying, "It is the year of the admirable challenge, and I give it to women, and I put women at the forefront of the year 2026, so that women lead the admirable challenge 2026... Challenger Admirable 2026, Victory forever, forever, forever. No crazy war."

The ceremony, which featured music and dancing, included a performance of the song "No Crazy War," during which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, joined attendees on the dance floor.

Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have been high, with U.S. officials accusing the South American nation of sending drugs into the United States. The U.S. has conducted operations targeting boats it claims were carrying drugs, actions that have drawn international criticism as extrajudicial. Additionally, former President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened attacks on Venezuelan drug infrastructure and authorized covert CIA operations in Caracas.

(Production: Reuters)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro emphasized the importance of women in leadership during the inauguration of the International Women's Leadership School in Aragua on Tuesday, December 30, while also criticizing U.S. media coverage of his country.

Speaking at the event, Maduro accused the United States of spreading misinformation about Venezuela, stating, "The United States wants to impose a veto on us and only broadcast fake news and war against a noble country like Venezuela in the United States. Everything they say is a lie." He urged attendees to challenge what he described as a misleading media narrative.

Maduro placed women at the center of his vision for 2026, saying, "It is the year of the admirable challenge, and I give it to women, and I put women at the forefront of the year 2026, so that women lead the admirable challenge 2026... Challenger Admirable 2026, Victory forever, forever, forever. No crazy war."

The ceremony, which featured music and dancing, included a performance of the song "No Crazy War," during which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, joined attendees on the dance floor.

Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have been high, with U.S. officials accusing the South American nation of sending drugs into the United States. The U.S. has conducted operations targeting boats it claims were carrying drugs, actions that have drawn international criticism as extrajudicial. Additionally, former President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened attacks on Venezuelan drug infrastructure and authorized covert CIA operations in Caracas.

(Production: Reuters)