The Latest Breaking News from Nicolás Maduro

The White House dismissed a letter sent by Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro offering direct talks with President Donald Trump, describing the message as "full of lies" and reiterating its stance that Maduro's government is illegitimate and central to drug trafficking operations in the region.

President Trump himself denied last Thursday that his administration is planning a "regime change" in Venezuela but experts consulted by The New York Times claim otherwise

Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared Monday that his country's relationship with the United States is "completely broken," accusing Washington of waging military and political aggression

According to the country's Interior Minister, the detainees confessed the shipment was part of a "false flag operation" designed to incriminate Venezuela in international drug trafficking

"International law does not allow governments to simply murder alleged drug traffickers," said the three independent UN experts in a statement on Tuesday

"There are plenty of tools that the U.S. government can use on the peaceful side" said Richard Grenell

With tensions running high between Venezuela and the United States, officials from Nicolás Maduro's regime issued a warning to neighboring countries, saying that attacks launched from the territories of Guyana or Trinidad and Tobago would provoke retaliation.

The report says prisoners are bombarded with propaganda broadcasts of Nicolás Maduro and ruling party leaders, while families describe harsh restrictions on food, visits, and communication

The incident took place in Hugo Chávez's birthplace and was only toned down when the men recognized Michael Palin's past Monty Python work