Overview
- In a Thanksgiving call with service members, Trump said efforts to stop alleged traffickers on land would begin very soon after claiming sea routes are largely deterred.
- The U.S. has concentrated forces for Operation Southern Spear, deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and roughly 15,000 personnel to the Caribbean.
- Since early September, U.S. forces have conducted at least 21 strikes on suspected drug boats in international waters, resulting in more than 80 deaths without public evidence of narcotics cargo.
- The State Department this week designated Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization linked to Nicolás Maduro, expanding sanctions authorities but not conferring independent war powers.
- Legal advisers told lawmakers the current justification for maritime strikes does not authorize attacks inside Venezuela, even as Trump considers talks with Maduro and top U.S. defense officials court Caribbean leaders; Cuba and others denounce the buildup.