Overview

• The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump ordered envoy Richard Grenell to immediately end all diplomatic engagement with the Maduro government, shutting down quiet outreach efforts.
• Venezuelan negotiator Jorge Rodríguez said Washington was notified through three channels about a 'grave threat' to the U.S. embassy and that suspects were identified, while Nicolás Maduro cast the alleged plot as a likely false-flag operation.
• U.S. forces continue a large deployment in the southern Caribbean—at least eight warships, a nuclear-powered attack submarine and more than 4,500 troops—as Washington frames lethal interdictions as counternarcotics within a non‑international armed conflict with cartels.
• Caracas activated new drills and deployments under Plan Independencia 200, including forces at Maiquetía international airport and in the coastal states of La Guaira and Carabobo, with additional exercises reported around Isla de Margarita.
• A U.S. spokesperson emphasized the priority of mission security without detailing contacts, while Democratic lawmakers and civil-society groups questioned the legality of recent maritime strikes and urged Congress to restrain further escalation.