Eric Martin

SCOOP: US forces have intercepted and SEIZED a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of #Venezuela, sources familiar with the matter tell me, @GaripPatricia @BenBartenstein. The move marks a SERIOUS escalation of tensions between the two countries. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

NEW: A federal judge agreed Friday to block the Trump administration from enforcing a policy limiting news reporters’ access to the Pentagon, ruling that key portions of the new rules are unlawful. wral.com/news/ap/dc7a6-…

The Trump administration is reorganizing foreign aid at a fraction of its former size after dismantling USAID, a move critics say has cost millions of lives. State says it’s ending programs on climate and social issues and focusing on life-saving work. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

#CUBA: Costa Rica closed its embassy in Havana, citing attacks on free speech and a deteriorating economy that has made it difficult to find basic goods. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

At last week’s Americas Desk, Eric Martin @EMPosts on what the Shield of the Americas Summit means for U.S.–Latin America relations: growing cooperation, but persistent tensions. More soon from the Americas Desk.

#Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez ousted defense chief Vladimir Padrino López in a SWEEPING shake-up of the armed forces. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

The US Treasury Department has just announced the #Venezuela oil sanctions easing that we scooped yesterday: ofac.treasury.gov/media/935356/d…

The United Nations nuclear watchdog urged the US and #Iran to resume negotiations, saying concern over Tehran’s nuclear program can’t be solved by military action alone. @virtualnomad bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

The Trump administration intends to take additional steps to ease sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector in an effort to increase crude production as the Iran war sends prices surging, @EMPosts @GaripPatricia @peterbmillard @zerpius report bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

#Venezuela's very big year continues... #WBC

SCOOP: The Trump administration intends to take additional steps to ease sanctions on #Venezuela’s oil sector in an effort to increase crude production as the #Iran war sends prices surging, sources tell me @GaripPatricia @peterbmillard @zerpius. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Ours from Feb. 26: "The Trump administration remains interested in replacing Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and has been talking with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Fidel Castro’s brother Raúl Castro."

As we reported in February, and again last Friday, "In Cuba, Trump and top allies want to replace Diaz-Canel, whom they blame for running the economy into the ground and regard as incapable of overseeing necessary political and economic changes." New York Times confirms tonight

The New York Times tonight has confirmed our #Cuba scoop from 2.5 weeks ago. x.com/i/status/20271…

#Cuba is moving to allow more investment from Cubans living abroad as part of a larger effort to bolster the state-dominated economy amid increased pressure from the US. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

#Cuba’s electric grid suffered a total power failure Monday as the island nation struggles with fuel supplies amid a de facto US oil blockade to pressure the communist government. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

The lights in the audience on "Golden" look pretty awesome #Oscars

Trump's timeline for the #Iran war: "As long as is necessary..." "Militarily, we're WAY ahead of schedule..."

Trump’s Plan for #Cuba Would Make the US the Island’s Patron My story tonight bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

El plan de Trump para #Cuba: convertir a la isla en un protectorado de EE.UU. Nuestra nota 👇 @Travis_Waldron @wicary bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

🚨SCOOP — Trump to associates: Keep Noem away. The president has told confidants & staff that he doesn’t want Noem around anymore, per 3 people familiar. Noem or her team have been informed in recent days that she is not on the guest list for a couple of events at the White House, including Thursday’s Women’s History Month celebration, as well as today’s event for rodeo champions. I should note: A Noem defender called this narrative “fake news,” arguing the ex-secretary spoke to Trump last night and has been at the White House since her removal. Still, the president’s message has been clear, per 3 people... More in my newsletter (read & subscribe!) rachaelbade.substack.com/p/scoop-trump-…