Overview

• Speaking at Naval Station Norfolk, President Donald Trump said forces carried out another strike Saturday night, though it was not clear if this was separate from Friday’s attack.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he has every authorization needed and cited cartel designations as foreign terrorist organizations to justify continued maritime strikes.
• At least 21 people have been reported killed across four recent attacks, including four on Friday, with officials releasing limited video clips but no public proof the boats carried drugs.
• Trump notified Congress that the United States is in a non‑international armed conflict with drug cartels, while legal experts and some lawmakers question using the military instead of the Coast Guard.
• Russia voiced full support for Venezuela and warned of regional escalation, and U.N. officials have condemned the lethal boat strikes as inconsistent with international law.