Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Operation Southern Spear under President Trump's orders, led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and U.S. Southern Command.
- The USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group have reinforced the U.S. naval buildup near Venezuela, joining destroyers and amphibious ships in the region.
- U.S. forces have conducted about 20 strikes on small vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September, with reports citing roughly 75–80 fatalities.
- Venezuelan leaders warned of “incalculable consequences,” accused Washington of seeking regime change, and mounted a large mobilization featuring land, air, naval and missile assets.
- Senior U.S. military officials briefed the president on updated options for Venezuela, including potential ground operations, with no decision announced to expand into Venezuelan territory.