Georgia Navigates Winter Disruptions as Venezuela Crisis Grips Global Attention
Today's international news was largely dominated by the escalating situation in Venezuela. US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had successfully arrested and extradited Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from the country. This dramatic development was met with immediate and strong reactions, with explosions reported in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and President Maduro himself declaring a state of emergency. Both Russia and Iran swiftly condemned the US actions, labeling them as aggression and demanding explanations, while the European Union called for restraint and adherence to international law. Reports also emerged indicating that Venezuela's Vice President had reportedly fled to Russia, and US Senators suggested Maduro would face trial in American courts.
Domestically, Georgia experienced significant challenges due to severe winter weather. Heavy snowfall and a drastic drop in temperatures, with forecasts indicating lows of up to -17 degrees Celsius, led to widespread disruptions. Georgian Railway announced the cancellation of most mainline and suburban train services for January 3rd and 4th, with only the Tbilisi-Batumi-Tbilisi route remaining operational. Roads across the country, including key sections like Vaziani-Gombori-Telavi and Gudauri-Kobi, faced restrictions, and a Tbilisi-Zugdidi train was delayed for hours near Gom village before an alternative was provided.
Several notable incidents underscored public safety concerns across Georgia. A tragic car accident on Tsereteli Avenue in Tbilisi claimed the lives of two individuals. Meanwhile, a high-profile murder investigation near Vake Park saw charges filed against Malkhaz Bagatelia, who was accused of murder, illegal firearm possession, and drug offenses. Separately, an Israeli tourist was fined and expelled from the country after firing an acoustic weapon near Heroes' Square on December 29. Authorities also reported the arrest of a driver caught with 157 kg of heroin, whose lawyer claims the client was unaware of the illicit cargo.
On the economic front, Georgia saw mixed signals and continued activity. Research organization Numbeo's 2026 traffic index placed Tbilisi at 171st out of 340 cities globally for congestion. Despite this, the real estate market in the capital remained robust, with 3,726 apartments sold in November 2025, marking a 5.4% year-on-year increase and corresponding price hikes. Car imports also showed growth, increasing by 11.8% in the first eleven months of 2025. The Georgian Lari experienced fluctuations, depreciating against the US dollar but strengthening against the Euro. Elsewhere, new regulations will require foreign workers to obtain special permits in Georgia.