Overview

• A U.S. official told AFP that President Donald Trump approved deploying the cruiser USS Lake Erie and the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Newport alongside three Arleigh Burke–class destroyers near Venezuela.
• The Pentagon is reported by multiple U.S. outlets to be planning the movement of roughly 4,000 Marines to the Caribbean region near Venezuelan waters.
• Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino announced naval patrols in the Gulf of Venezuela and farther north in territorial waters, along with a significant deployment of drones for varied missions.
• Caracas earlier ordered 15,000 security personnel to the Colombia border for what it called anti-drug operations, and Maduro says he activated a “special plan” mobilizing 4.5 million militia members.
• The United States has designated the so‑called Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization and doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture to $50 million, though some commentary challenges the evidentiary basis for the allegations.