Overview
- Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is ready to act under its ratified partnership with Caracas, which he said is nearing activation.
- Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López ordered the mobilization of 200,000 troops, citing a perceived threat from the United States.
- The USS Gerald R. Ford and three accompanying warships arrived near Venezuela as Washington continues a regional campaign against suspected drug boats.
- The U.S. acknowledges at least 75 people killed in strikes since September, and legal experts and former officials have questioned the operations’ conformity with international law.
- Regional fallout deepened as Colombia paused intelligence sharing over the strikes and U.K. cooperation on suspected drug vessels was reported suspended earlier.