Overview
- The USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group entered the Caribbean on November 16 as Washington intensifies a counter-narcotics posture near Venezuela, with reported force totals differing across outlets.
- U.S. forces have carried out more than 20 strikes on small boats officials describe as drug-trafficking targets, with deaths reported in the dozens and casualty counts varying by source.
- Financial Times reporting, cited by TASS, says Nicolás Maduro has reduced public appearances, expanded his security detail, and leaned more on Cuban personnel as he warns of a U.S. invasion threat.
- Analysts interviewed by The i Paper caution that limited operations or misread signals could escalate quickly and saddle Washington with a prolonged stabilization and reconstruction burden.
- Interviews in Utah show many Venezuelan exiles endorsing stronger U.S. measures against Maduro, including potential military action, even as some worry about harm to civilians.