EDITOR -  A well-known astrologer had said New Year and January 2026 would start with a bang through January until it would calm in February.

Venezuela on the north coast of South America with neighbours Colombia and Guyana and a population of 31m people in 2024 found their capital Caracas temporarily intruded upon, in the night and early hours of January 3rd 2026 when Venezuela’s President Maduro (seen by many in Venezuela as elected by a rigged election) and his wife were taken by force and flown out of the country by the US to New York and to face charges of drug trafficking to the US with a quick trial in 2026.

The mission was so fast by US special military forces, that it must break the Guinness book of records. It was rarely mentioned in most news reports that up to 30 people including his chief aide and his armed security team were shot and killed.

It was possibly an inside job as they were able to land some of their many helicopters safely, find him and his wife quickly and fly them to New York while explosions in Caracas intended to divert attention.

What was the reason for the mission? Venezuela has the largest reserve of oil underground. US oil companies are ready to go in and drill for it. A meeting by President Trump with oil executives was held very recently. Venezuela under Maduro’s leadership had been selling oil to China, Russia and others but not so much or not at all to the US. This is why Maduro was removed from power by the US. He had been offered safe havens in other countries but he refused.

Former President of Honduras was pardoned in 2025 and freed from a US prison by President Trump for doing the same thing as Maduro: drug trafficking to the US. This is really about getting oil. When Trump said Venezuela was stealing our oil, he meant Venezuela was selling to other countries like Russia but not to the US.

President Trump claimed the US now runs Venezuela until a transition of power to a suitable President; approved by Venezuela’s people, we hope. A big undertaking when the US has its own problems, with millions of people worried about the big increases to health insurance premiums in January, with many on lower incomes giving up paying. They can’t afford it, even though it is crucial to have it.

Mary Sullivan, Cork.

Rural Ireland needs services, not hunting

EDITOR - Since the recent vote not to ban foxhunting, there has been a noticeable increase in hunting activity around my home. That vote sent a very clear message, and it was not one of restraint or compassion.

By voting against the ban, the Government, Sinn Féin, Independent Ireland, and Aontú effectively emboldened foxhunters. These men now act with even more confidence and impunity, knowing they are politically protected. Meanwhile, foxes remain defenceless, chased for sport rather than necessity.

This is particularly disturbing at this time of year. We are in fox mating season, when foxes are more visible and therefore far more vulnerable. Instead of affording protection during a sensitive period, political decisions have made them easier targets.

This is not about tradition or rural identity. Foxhunting is a colonial blood sport, not an Irish one. It does not put food on tables, it does not manage wildlife effectively, and it does not reflect the values of modern rural communities.

What it does do is terrorise animals, disrupt habitats, endanger pets, and distress families. I have seen foxes flee through my garden in panic. I have had hounds enter my property, putting my own animals at risk. This is the real, lived consequence of political choices made far from where the harm occurs.Rural Ireland does not need foxhunting. We need public transport, accessible healthcare, and support for small family farms, which are already under pressure, including from the dreadful Mercosur deal. Protecting cruelty while failing rural communities is a choice, and it is the wrong one.

Evie Nevin,

Knocks.

Our Lord deserves thanks every week

EDITOR -   I had the privilege to be present at the Christmas Eve Mass celebrating the birth of our Lord, our redeemer.

I was very impressed with the huge crowd of people present, young and old, and the lovely rendering of the Christmas carols by all present. It was certainly very uplifting to be present.                        

It’s a great pity that it does not happen more often, as our Lord deserves more praise and thanks at least once a week from all people.   

After all, He is the creator of life and the great universe and deserves all praise and glory from all mankind on a regular basis.

Jeremiah McCarthy,

Clonakilty.

Clonakilty roadworks welcome for walkers

EDITOR – As a longtime resident of Clonakilty, I am delighted to see that the council has plans for the Fernhill Road. I walk that road each evening with my dog, and there are some cars drive on the road at a frightening speed.

There are no garda cars ever to be seen, and I can tell you that if they parked at the graveyard they’d meet their quota of speeding drivers in an hour.

It is very unpleasant to have to witness this speed, and the noise from their hyped-up exhausts, almost every evening.

Esther Woods,

Clonakillty.