Trump Opens Door to Talks With Maduro as U.S. Widens ‘Southern Spear’ Campaign

Overview

• President Donald Trump said he is willing to speak with Nicolás Maduro but refused to rule out deploying U.S. troops, stressing that “nothing is off the table.”
• The Pentagon confirmed the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group is operating in the Caribbean under Operation Lança do Sul, with roughly a dozen ships and an estimated 12,000–15,000 personnel supporting counter-narcotics missions.
• Since September, U.S. forces have destroyed about 21 boats in international waters, with at least 83 people killed, and officials have not publicly provided evidence that the targets were drug traffickers.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the Cartel de los Soles will be designated a foreign terrorist organization effective November 24, complementing a $50 million reward tied to U.S. accusations that Maduro leads the group.
• Maduro condemned the U.S. buildup yet signaled readiness for a face-to-face dialogue, as allies and international officials voiced legal and sovereignty concerns over the lethal maritime operations.