Overview
- The Pentagon said the carrier group will reinforce detection, surveillance and interdiction against illicit actors across the Central and South America command area.
- U.S. forces reported a new lethal strike on a Tren de Aragua vessel in international waters that killed six, with at least ten attacks since September causing 43 reported deaths.
- President Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of "inventing a war" and highlighted Venezuelan air-defense stockpiles in a televised address.
- The UN human-rights office warned that intentional lethal force is lawful only as a last resort against an imminent threat, raising legal questions about the operations.
- Regional fallout widened as Brazil warned against external intervention, Washington announced sanctions on Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro, and President Trump said he does not need new congressional approval and threatened a ground operation.