Overview
- U.S. forces reported a new strike in the Eastern Pacific that killed three suspected traffickers under Operation Southern Spear, bringing the death toll to at least 83.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. will designate the Cartel de los Soles, Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel as foreign terrorist organizations, asserting links to Nicolás Maduro.
- The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group arrived in the Caribbean to join destroyers and Marine units already deployed for the campaign.
- President Donald Trump said he would not rule out sending U.S. troops to Venezuela and expects to speak with Maduro, who declared he is ready for a head‑to‑head dialogue.
- Caracas condemned U.S.–Trinidad and Tobago exercises as a threat as the island’s prime minister said U.S. forces would not use its territory for attacks, while rights officials and analysts continued to question U.S. claims and legal justifications.