Overview
- U.S. Southern Command has concentrated bombers, F-35s, MQ-9 drones, an amphibious ready group and multiple Navy warships, with open-source reports also pointing to a nuclear-powered attack submarine in the Caribbean.
- War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new counter-narcotics Joint Task Force to coordinate air, maritime and special-operations missions across the region.
- At least seven lethal strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking have been carried out since September, as the White House frames the campaign as a non‑international armed conflict and labels those killed unlawful combatants.
- President Trump confirmed he authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela and said land options are under consideration following the maritime strikes.
- Political and diplomatic fallout is intensifying, with a Senate war powers resolution introduced to bar U.S. hostilities in Venezuela, House Democrats seeking hearings, SOUTHCOM commander Adm. Alvin Holsey moving to retire early, and relations with Colombia deteriorating over an alleged fisherman’s killing, frozen aid and tariff threats.