enFRANCE 24’s coverage of the political, social and economic issues in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and across the Americas.https://www.france24.com/en/americas/Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:44:09 GMTAmericashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251223-us-justice-department-releases-thousands-new-epstein-linked-documents Thousands of newly released documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became publicly available on the US Justice Department’s website on Tuesday, including surveillance footage from the month he was found dead in his jail cell. 408a4d1e-dfe8-11f0-9455-93614c7be138Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:35:33 GMT© US Department of Justice, APFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251223-trump-summarized-washington-s-multi-pronged-campaign-targeting-venezuela The US Coast Guard on Monday continued for a second day to chase a sanctioned oil tanker that the Trump administration describes as part of a “dark fleet” Venezuela is using to evade US sanctions. On Monday night, US President Donald Trump summarized Washington's multi-pronged campaign targeting the country, adding that it would keep the oil as well as the ships.  d090efb8-dfce-11f0-a401-07b85546c26cTue, 23 Dec 2025 07:29:45 GMTFRANCE24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251223-new-us-strike-on-suspected-drug-smuggling-boat-in-eastern-pacific-kills-one The US military said on Monday that it killed a suspected drug trafficker on board a “low-profile” boat travelling along what it described as established drug transit routes in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Trump administration has said its strikes are intended to curb the flow of drugs into the United States and ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.  76008f8e-dfcb-11f0-97ae-d331f6f9ea38Tue, 23 Dec 2025 07:03:24 GMT© Alex Brandon, APFRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251223-trump-announces-battleships-expanded-us-navy The Secretary of the US Navy and President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled plans for a new “Trump class” of battleships, launching an expanded naval buildup and signalling tougher scrutiny of defence contractors over production delays and cost overruns. 5b370f54-dfa6-11f0-96dd-85ba20182809Tue, 23 Dec 2025 02:23:22 GMT© US Navy via ReutersFRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251222-bipartisan-anger-grows-over-slow-release-epstein-documents Lawmakers from both parties escalated pressure on the US Department of Justice on Monday over its handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein documents, threatening contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi as demands for full disclosure intensified. 97e119de-df8f-11f0-8ab7-8f112f455f1fMon, 22 Dec 2025 23:40:26 GMT© U.S. Justice Department, ReutersFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251222-justice-department-restores-trump-photo-to-public-database-of-epstein-files ​A photo of U.S. President Donald Trump that had been removed from the ⁠cache of Jeffrey Epstein files released by the Department of Justice was restored on Sunday after officials determined none of Epstein's victims were in the image, the department said. Story by Bryan Quinn and Natalia Odisharia. 2ad4681c-df28-11f0-b02f-71c9f0c5b576Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:00:12 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251222-us-pursues-sanctioned-dark-fleet-vessel-off-the-coast-of-venezuela On Saturday, the US Coast Guard intercepted a second oil tanker in international waters off the Venezuelan coast, days after President Donald Trump announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering ‍and leaving Venezuela. Details and analysis by David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian. fc5f0ab2-df24-11f0-b574-71c9f0c5b576Mon, 22 Dec 2025 11:21:54 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251222-why-is-the-us-pursuing-a-third-oil-tanker-off-venezuela-in-to-weeks The US intercepted ​an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela over the weekend, and was pursuing another one in what would be the third such operation in less than two weeks. What exactly is happening and why? Answer by FRANCE 24 international affairs editor Douglas Herbert. e4c6b920-df21-11f0-864a-01334ef18ad5Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:58:39 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251222-venezuela-us-coast-guard-intercepts-third-tanker-in-two-weeks US officials say the national ⁠Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, in what would be the second such operation this weekend and the third in less than two weeks if successful. Story by Ellen Gainsford. 693faeba-df17-11f0-9f37-1f2d71444c1bMon, 22 Dec 2025 09:41:03 GMTFRANCE24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251222-gold-prices-hit-record-high-on-fed-rate-cut-bets-usa-economy Gold hit a new record high on Monday, driven by expectations of US interest rate cuts and strong demand for safe-haven assets, while silver also reached an all-time peak. The gains mark a remarkable year for precious metals, supported by a weaker dollar, geopolitical tensions and strong investment inflows. dd348bc2-deec-11f0-8aad-db4159ac4ad4Mon, 22 Dec 2025 04:15:34 GMT© David Gray, AFP FRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251221-us-envoy-witkoff-calls-ukraine-talks-in-miami-productive US special envoy Steve Witkoff called weekend talks in Florida “productive and constructive” as officials from the US, Europe, and Ukraine worked to align positions. President Donald Trump is pushing for a quick end to the nearly four-year conflict, but Russia wants to keep seized Ukrainian land. 150d70f2-deb3-11f0-9620-1d4121098f01Sun, 21 Dec 2025 21:21:57 GMT© Kristina Kormilitsyna, APFRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251221-allegations-of-new-cover-up-over-epstein-files The US Justice Department said on Sunday it had restored an image of President Donald Trump that it had removed a day earlier from the public release of Epstein-related files. The photograph was reposted as lawmakers accused officials of withholding key information in files related to the late sex offender, including photos of Trump and other elites. 93dcd256-de8b-11f0-9671-7def5e96eceeSun, 21 Dec 2025 16:39:10 GMT© Mandel Ngan, AFPFRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251221-us-pursuing-third-vessel-near-venezuela-officials-say The US Coast Guard is pursuing an oil ⁠tanker in international waters near Venezuela in what would be the third such incident in less than a week, officials said Sunday, as US President Donald Trump increases pressure on the South American nation. The move comes a week after Trump announced a "blockade" of all oil tankers under sanctions entering and leaving Venezuela.  58ae154c-de85-11f0-942e-798b9a1f0aceSun, 21 Dec 2025 15:56:21 GMT© Department of Homeland Security, via ReutersFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251221-oil-tanker-seized-off-venezuela-the-second-in-two-weeks The US seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast on Saturday. It's the second time in two weeks that US forces have carried out such an action. This comes after President Donald Trump announced a block of "sanctioned oil vessels" entering and exiting Venezuela. Catherine Viette has more details. 474e17e6-de82-11f0-b95d-4b78ebe672cbSun, 21 Dec 2025 15:36:59 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251221-us-seizes-oil-tanker-off-venezuela-in-the-second-interception-in-two-weeks The U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted and boarded a second tanker transporting Venezuelan oil, following Donald Trump’s announcement on Tuesday that he was ordering a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. However, several reports indicate that the vessel was not on the U.S. sanctions list, raising concerns that this move signals a tightening or escalation of enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared a seven-minute video of the operation, showing U.S. helicopters landing on the deck of the Panamanian-flagged ship, which—like a tanker seized earlier this month—was reportedly bound for Asia. Simon Moritz reports. 34327b24-de56-11f0-8c9a-f3941a43309eSun, 21 Dec 2025 10:33:36 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251221-christmas-villain-the-grinch-caught-stealing-presents-in-texas With Christmas just around the corner and its many traditions returning, the Grinch — the nasty, green, hairy, cynical yet hilarious character — is once again making an appearance, as in the United States, where for several years some people have taken to wearing green costumes to play dirty tricks in the streets, sometimes more or less in collusion with the police, as Morgan Ayre reports. 290b3136-de52-11f0-a3ce-f3941a43309eSun, 21 Dec 2025 10:09:46 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251221-mercosur-summit-kicks-off-lula-calls-on-eu-to-sign-the-deal The summit at which South American leaders had hoped the Mercosur trade agreement would finally be signed ultimately took place without their European counterparts. EU leaders are postponing the conclusion amid large-scale demonstrations by farmers, who say the accord would disadvantage them. Gaelle Fonseca and Simon Moritz take a look. b231cee0-de50-11f0-885e-13d8a8944086Sun, 21 Dec 2025 09:57:42 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251221-epstein-files-at-least-16-documents-have-disappeared At least 16 files disappeared from the US Department of Justice’s public webpage containing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein less than a day after they were posted, including a file featuring a photograph connected to former President Donald Trump. The removals occurred without any explanation from the government or notice to the public. Trump has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has said he distanced himself from his former friend years ago. Being named or included in the files does not imply wrongdoing. The unexplained removals have sparked anger among politicians, as well as victims of the late sex offender and their families. Morgan Ayre has the details. 5cf20792-de50-11f0-93f3-13d8a8944086Sun, 21 Dec 2025 09:55:24 GMTFRANCE24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251221-ongoing-ukraine-peace-talks-miami-constructive-kremlin-envoy-says A Kremlin envoy reported that peace talks in Florida on a US-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine are progressing "constructively" as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing diplomatic efforts. The talks, involving both Ukrainian and European officials, come amid sharply divergent demands from Moscow and Kyiv. 4e1b7cac-de4c-11f0-9141-65d2175a5eb9Sun, 21 Dec 2025 09:30:37 GMT© Kristina Kormilitsyna, APFRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251221-at-least-16-epstein-files-have-disappeared-from-the-doj-webpage At least 16 Jeffrey Epstein–related files abruptly disappeared from the Justice Department’s public website within a day of their release. The unexplained missing files, including an image with a photo of President Donald Trump, fuelled speculation online about what was taken down and why the public was not notified.  0df50660-de39-11f0-84c3-55c4a3f06a65Sun, 21 Dec 2025 06:48:26 GMTAPFRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251220-us-forces-stop-second-merchant-vessel-off-venezuela-after-trump-announces-oil-blockade US forces on Saturday stopped an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela for the second time in less than two weeks, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a blockade on sanctioned vessels. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the operation, carried out with the Defense Department, targeted a tanker last docked in Venezuela.  fbbdc268-ddd7-11f0-99a4-ed62e2d04ce6Sat, 20 Dec 2025 19:17:30 GMT© APFRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251220-maga-civil-war-steals-spotlight-americafest-conference-turning-point-usa AmericaFest, the first major Turning Point USA conference since the murder of its founder Charlie Kirk, took place in Phoenix on Thursday – but instead of showing unity, it exposed sharp rifts within the MAGA movement over anti-Semitism, leadership, and its post-Trump future. af71db7e-ddbe-11f0-8bf5-3d7dc584f0b6Sat, 20 Dec 2025 16:46:20 GMT© Jon Cherry, APFRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251220-key-takeaways-us-justice-department-epstein-files-release The US Justice Department on Friday released a tranche of files related to convicted sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein in accordance with a congressional mandate. The partial disclosure has already drawn criticism from lawmakers and victims’ advocates, who cite the wholesale redaction of some pages and say key documents were withheld.  5b0cac20-dda6-11f0-a0ff-3d565e163380Sat, 20 Dec 2025 13:57:04 GMT© Mandel Ngan, AFPFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251220-us-pounds-targets-across-syria-five-isis-members-killed The US military launched large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria on Friday in retaliation for an attack on American personnel, US officials said. A US-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes and ground operations in Syria targeting Islamic State suspects in recent months, often with the involvement of Syria's security forces. Simon Mortiz has more. a31190ca-dda2-11f0-8837-3d565e163380Sat, 20 Dec 2025 13:09:17 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251220-seven-colombian-soldiers-killed-in-guerrilla-attack Colombia's ELN guerrilla group attacked a military base near Venezuela with drones and explosives, killing seven soldiers and wounding 30, the army said Friday. Simon Moritz has more. cd851e82-dd87-11f0-adc4-29d833d44ea9Sat, 20 Dec 2025 09:48:47 GMTFRANCE24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251220-us-russian-officials-to-meet-in-florida-for-latest-round-of-ukraine-talks Russian officials arrived in Florida on Saturday to meet with US negotiators for the latest round of talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting comes as talks between US, Ukrainian and European negotiators on Friday ended with all sides saying progress had been made on agreeing security guarantees for Kyiv. 610f9e08-dd82-11f0-b345-29d833d44ea9Sat, 20 Dec 2025 09:13:59 GMT© Kristina Kormilitsyna/Sputnik via ReutersFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251220-no-major-revelations-in-heavily-redacted-release-of-epstein-files Democrats on Friday voiced frustration that the long-awaited release of the Epstein files included many heavily redacted pages, claming that the amount of information concealed contravened what was mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act and would encourage conspiracy theories around the Epstein case. 39be145a-dd74-11f0-a69c-c1a8da5ad5c2Sat, 20 Dec 2025 07:36:48 GMTFRANCE24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251220-epstein-files-opened-famous-faces-many-blacked-out-pages Democrats on Friday voiced frustration that the long-awaited release of the Epstein files included many heavily redacted pages, claming it fell far short of what was mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The latest release includes photos of noted public figures in Epstein's social circle including former US president Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson. 033818aa-dd37-11f0-a5f4-718ecc3b2928Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:01:18 GMT© Mandel Ngan, AFPFRANCE 24Americashttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251219-trump-refuses-to-rule-out-war-with-venezuela-as-us-sanctions-maduro-family-members US President Donald Trump refused to rule out going to war with Venezuela in an NBC interview published on Friday, days after he ordered a naval blockade of sanctioned oil tankers coming to and leaving Venezuela. The Trump administration also imposed sanctions on family members and associates of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, ratcheting up the pressure on the Venezuelan president. c25b9cb4-dd1b-11f0-92d3-89b649fbf282Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:22:38 GMT© Ricardo Arduengo, ReutersFRANCE 24