Overview
- Miami Herald and the Wall Street Journal reported that informed sources said a U.S. decision to hit targets inside Venezuela could lead to strikes within hours or days.
- Asked en route to Florida, President Trump rejected that the United States is currently planning attacks inside Venezuela, saying, “No, that’s not true.”
- The U.S. has surged forces into the region, including destroyers, F‑35B jets, P‑8 patrol aircraft, MQ‑9 drones, amphibious units, and has ordered the carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and escorts to the Caribbean.
- U.S. forces have been sinking suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific for weeks, with reports of dozens killed, and the United Nations has urged restraint.
- Trump has disclosed authorizing CIA covert operations in Venezuela, and U.S. media say officials are treating cartel actors as unlawful combatants while Russia voiced support for Venezuela’s sovereignty.