International
Adaejah Hodge Named Panam Sports Ambassador for ASU2025 Games
British Virgin Islands sprinter Adaejah Hodge has been named one of seven official ambassadors for Team Panam Sports ahead of the ASU2025 Junior Pan American Games, scheduled for August 9–23 in Asunción, Paraguay. At just 18 years old, Hodge stands among the fastest women in the world in the under-20 category and continues to make history as one of the most accomplished young athletes from the Virgin Islands.
She is joined by six other standout athletes from across the Americas in a campaign launched by the Pan American Sports Organization under the theme, “The Power of the New Generation.” Among those selected are Brazilian swimmer Guilherme Caribe—ranked second in the world in the 100-meter freestyle and a three-time Pan American champion at Santiago 2023—and Jamaican sprinter Alana Reid, who, like Hodge, ranks among the top under-20 sprinters globally.
The selected ambassadors represent Brazil, Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands, the United States, Chile, Colombia, and Paraguay. They were chosen not only for their excellence in sport but also for their leadership off the field and their commitment to Olympic values. According to Panam Sports, the ambassadors will play a central role in promoting the Games and inspiring young athletes across the region through media, outreach, and public engagement efforts.
“We have achieved an extraordinary group of ambassadors for Team Panam Sports 2025,” said Neven Ilic, President of Panam Sports. “World medalists, Pan American medalists, and some of the top names in their disciplines—they are also exceptional individuals who will represent the spirit of these Games and inspire athletes across the continent.”
In addition to Hodge, Reid, and Caribe, the ambassador team includes Colombian track cyclist Stefany Cuadrado, who holds the world junior record; Chilean water skier Matías González, a two-time world champion; Paraguayan rower Nicole Martínez, a bronze medalist from Santiago 2023; and Lazer Crawford of the United States, one of the most promising young talents in skateboarding.
The ambassador program forms part of Panam Sports’ communications and marketing strategy to generate momentum for the Games, the largest continental multi-sport event for emerging athletes in the region. Hodge’s selection as an ambassador underscores her growing international reputation and highlights the rising prominence of Caribbean athletes on the global stage.
The United States has announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is under indictment on federal drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, formally asserting that the Venezuelan leader faces criminal prosecution in U.S. courts.
The announcement, made amid sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, confirms that Maduro is accused of conspiring to flood the United States with cocaine in coordination with armed groups and corrupt officials. U.S. prosecutors allege that Maduro played a central role in a criminal enterprise that used Venezuela as a key transit hub for narcotics destined for American cities.
The case remains pending in U.S. federal court, with American officials saying the indictment will stand until Maduro appears before a judge.
The BVI Airports Authority is advising the traveling public of current regional airspace restrictions resulting from a notice issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The notice affects U.S.-registered aircraft and U.S.-based carriers operating within the Caribbean region. As a result, flights to and from the Virgin Islands may be subject to delays, diversions, rescheduling, or cancellations, depending on individual airline routing and operational decisions.
The Authority emphasized that these restrictions are outside its control and are being managed directly by the affected airlines in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Passengers are strongly advised to:
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Contact their airline directly for the most current and accurate information regarding flight status; and
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Confirm flight details before traveling to the airport, as schedules may change with limited notice.
The BVI Airports Authority said it remains in close communication with airline partners and relevant aviation stakeholders and will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.
The Authority thanked the public for its understanding and cooperation, noting that safety remains the top priority.
Former President Donald J. Trump claimed on Saturday, January 3, that U.S. forces had detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Venezuela’s first lady Cilia Flores Mr. Maduro and removed him from Venezuela during an overnight military operation.
In a statement posted in the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 3, Mr. Trump said American forces had carried out what he described as a decisive operation in and around Caracas, asserting that Mr. Maduro and Ms. Flores were taken into custody and flown out of the country. Mr. Trump did not specify which U.S. agencies were involved or where Mr. Maduro was being held.
There was no immediate confirmation from the White House, the Pentagon, or the State Department. As of early Saturday, U.S. officials declined to comment, and no formal announcement had been issued by the Biden administration or military leadership.
Reports of explosions in Caracas circulated on social media shortly before 2 a.m. local time. Journalists from CNN reported hearing multiple blasts and observing power outages in parts of the capital, though the cause and scope of the incidents remained unclear.
Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, said in a televised address that the government had not been able to confirm the whereabouts of Mr. Maduro or Ms. Flores. She accused the United States of what she called a “criminal military aggression” and said Venezuela had placed its armed forces on high alert. Her claims could not be independently verified.
In Washington, Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah, said he had been briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told him that Mr. Maduro had been detained under longstanding U.S. criminal indictments. Senator Lee said the operation was intended to enforce an arrest warrant and ensure the safety of U.S. personnel involved.
Mr. Maduro has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice since 2020 on charges including narcotrafficking, narco-terrorism, and conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. U.S. prosecutors have accused him of leading the so-called Cartel of the Suns, allegations Mr. Maduro has repeatedly denied, calling them politically motivated.
For years, the U.S. government has offered millions of dollars in rewards for information leading to Mr. Maduro’s arrest. Until now, the charges had not been enforced through direct military action.
Legal experts said any U.S. military operation on Venezuelan soil would raise immediate constitutional questions, particularly in the absence of congressional authorization. Senator Lee himself has previously expressed concern over presidential war powers and the lack of a formal authorization for the use of military force.
Across Latin America, governments have historically opposed foreign military intervention in the region, and diplomatic reaction was expected to be swift. As of Saturday morning, Venezuelan state media had not acknowledged any detention of Mr. Maduro, and his location remained unknown.
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