Matt Spetalnick
Reuters Top News
Washington, United States
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Past articles by Matt:
US criticizes Russia in annual human trafficking report
The U.S. sharpened its criticism of Russia's record on human trafficking on Thursday, citing Moscow’s treatment of conscripts and Ukrainian children, in an annual report on countries that Washington says are failing to protect victims. → Read More
Does a Cuba base host a Chinese spy station? US thinks so
Just outside the sleepy Cuban village of Bejucal, a winding track, rutted with potholes and losing ground to the jungle, ends at a barbed wire fence. A sign warns: "KEEP OUT, MILITARY ZONE." → Read More
China to build spy base in Cuba, WSJ says; US casts doubt on report
China has reached a secret deal with Cuba to establish an electronic eavesdropping facility on the island roughly 100 miles (160 km) from Florida, the Wall Street Journal said on Thursday, but the White House cast some doubt on the report. → Read More
US VP Harris says Israel needs 'independent judiciary'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Tuesday that Israel's democracy requires "an independent judiciary," wading into the controversy over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed judicial overhaul that has drawn mass protests in Israel. → Read More
US tells UN it will shield Venezuela humanitarian fund from creditors
The U.S. has assured the United Nations that it will shield a proposed UN-administered Venezuela humanitarian fund from creditors, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday, removing a key obstacle to getting the money flowing. → Read More
China keeps up campaign to pressure critics abroad despite Western backlash
China is facing a growing backlash from the United States and other Western governments over its controversial efforts to pressure dissidents and their advocates abroad, but Beijing has appeared undeterred. → Read More
Marcos says U.S. access to Philippines bases not meant for 'offensive action'
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Thursday his agreement this year to grant the United States access to more military bases in his country was not intended for use for "offensive action" against any country. → Read More
U.S. seeks to advance Americas economic plan with partners
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined with counterparts from across the Americas on Friday seeking to advance efforts to forge a regional economic partnership, building on a framework President Joe Biden announced at a Los Angeles summit in June. → Read More
U.S. Justice Dept found 6 more classified documents in Biden home search, lawyer says
A new search of President Joe Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware on Friday by the U.S. Justice Department led to the discovery of six more classified documents , a lawyer for the president said in a statement Saturday night. → Read More
U.S. sending delegation to Cuba to restart talks on law enforcement
The Biden administration plans to send a delegation to Havana this month to restart U.S.-Cuba talks on law-enforcement issues that were halted under former President Donald Trump, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday. → Read More
Report of second major U.S. Supreme Court leak draws calls for probe
A New York Times report of a former anti-abortion leader's claim that he was told in advance about the outcome of a major 2014 U.S. Supreme Court case involving contraceptives triggered calls on Saturday for an investigation of a court still reeling from the leak of a landmark abortion rights ruling. → Read More
Cuba agrees to accept U.S. deportation flights as border crossings rise
Cuba has agreed for the first time since the pandemic to accept U.S. deportation flights carrying Cubans caught at the U.S.-Mexico border, three U.S. officials told Reuters, giving U.S. authorities a new but limited tool to deter record numbers of Cuban border crossers. → Read More
EXCLUSIVE U.N. could administer over $3 bln in funds to aid Venezuela
Top officials from the U.S. State and Treasury departments are discussing proposals for a fund that could release over $3 billion to provide humanitarian aid to Venezuelans through the United Nations, according to nine people close to the talks. → Read More
Venezuela's opposition unwilling to back interim Guaido govt for 2023
Venezuela's opposition parties have warned they are likely to withdraw backing for Juan Guaido's Washington-endorsed interim government in 2023, four people familiar with the matter said, raising questions about the future of the country's overseas holdings. → Read More
Washington plays hardball with Chevron's Venezuela license over Mexico talks
U.S. officials have made clear that allowing oil major Chevron to expand in Venezuela depends on a grand gesture: the Venezuelan government and opposition returning to election talks in Mexico at least for a first round, three people close to the matter said this week. → Read More
U.S. to support Haiti police and deliver aid to counter gangs
The United States on Wednesday said it will boost support for the Haitian police as they battle armed gangs and will speed up delivery of aid to a country suffering from crippling shortages of basic goods due to a gang blockade of a key fuel terminal. → Read More
Blinken to woo Latin America's new leftist leaders, reassert U.S. commitment
Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Latin America on Monday to reassert Washington's commitment to the region and meet with three new leftist leaders, amid concerns that neglect of the hemisphere has let China make economic inroads. → Read More
Venezuela frees seven jailed Americans in prisoner swap
Venezuela on Saturday freed seven jailed Americans, including five oil executives, in exchange for Washington's release of two relatives of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, U.S. officials said. → Read More
U.S. open to discussing Colombia trade deal with next president
The Biden administration is willing to discuss the existing U.S.-Colombia trade agreement with the Andean country’s next president, a senior U.S. official said, as Washington dispatched a high-level delegation on Thursday to begin forging a relationship with him on a wide range of issues. → Read More
Dozens of Central American officials added to U.S. corruption blacklist
The U.S. State Department on Wednesday added dozens of current and former officials, lawmakers, judges and business people from Central America to a list that names those the U.S. government considers "corrupt and undemocratic" actors in the region. → Read More