Overview
- The Pentagon authorized the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to shift from the Mediterranean to the U.S. Southern Command region near Venezuela.
- A U.S. strike on a suspected smuggling boat on Friday killed six people, with roughly 43 deaths reported since early September across about 10 strikes.
- President Trump has authorized CIA covert operations in Venezuela, and officials say proposals to hit trafficking routes or facilities inside the country are under review.
- The administration has designated Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization and describes current operations as part of an armed conflict using existing legal authorities.
- Trump imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and relatives over alleged drug ties, while some lawmakers raised concerns about the campaign’s legal basis and oversight.