SHOTLIST:

CARACAS, VENEZUELA (DEC. 10, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF CROWDS GATHERING FOR ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIONS OF 19TH-CENTURY BATTLE OF SANTA INES, HOLDING BANNERS AND FLAGS, MARCHING

2. VARIOUS OF PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO SINGING AND DANCING TO “DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY”

3. SUPPORTERS HOLDING SOLDIER PUPPET

4. PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO SPEAKING ON STAGE (Spanish) CARACAS, VENEZUELA - DEC. 10: Amid rising tensions with the United States, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro offered an unexpectedly light moment at a public event, breaking into song and dance with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” even as diplomatic pressure on Caracas intensifies.

Thousands marched in Caracas on Wednesday, Dec. 10, during anniversary commemorations of the 19th-century Battle of Santa Ines, where President Maduro danced and addressed supporters.

Participants gathered along major routes in the capital as government-organized ceremonies highlighted the battle’s historical symbolism. Militia units took part in the march, forming part of commemorative events held across the country.

Caracas and Washington have been grappling with ongoing strains in their political relationship, particularly over security and sovereignty issues.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.

"We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela; large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually. And other things are happening," Trump told reporters at the White House, alleging that it was taken "for a very good reason."

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a statement that his country "strongly condemns what constitutes a blatant act of theft and international piracy, publicly announced by the president of the United States.”

He said it was not the first such incident and accused the Trump administration of pursuing a deliberate plan to seize Venezuela’s energy resources, noting that Trump “openly stated during his 2024 campaign that his goal had always been to take Venezuela’s oil without paying anything in return.”

The move is all but certain to further ratchet up tensions with Caracas as Trump continues to demand Maduro step down from power, maintaining that all options, including military force, remain on the table amid a massive force buildup in the region.

In late August, Washington deployed naval assets — including submarines and warships — off Venezuela’s coast, with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stating that American forces were prepared to conduct operations in the country, potentially including a regime-change mission.

President Maduro responded by mobilizing 4.5 million militia members, declaring Venezuela ready to defend itself against any aggression.

While the Trump administration asserts that it is targeting Venezuela as part of a push to combat drug trafficking in the region, the Maduro government counters that Washington is seeking to "appropriate Venezuela’s vast oil reserves through the lethal use of military force," suggesting the anti-drug efforts are merely groundwork for an attempt to unlawfully remove Maduro from power.