Oswaldo José Pirela, a San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator, was released on bond from Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention after being taken into custody on August 16. He still faces removal proceedings and potential deportation to Venezuela.
Venezuela's health ministry confirmed three deaths from hantavirus infections in Anzoategui state, with two additional suspected deaths of health workers in Barinas state pending confirmation. Authorities stressed there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission and the outbreak remains localized.
Federal prosecutors arrested Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke for allegedly using confidential military intelligence to place over $400,000 in bets on Polymarket regarding Venezuela operations, including the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The soldier allegedly participated in the raid himself and attempted to conceal his betting activity.
On July 24, 2026, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia notified the UN of the country's withdrawal from the ICC, alleging geographical bias against the Global South. Venezuela remains under active ICC investigation into its armed forces and government officials.
