Overview
- President Donald Trump told NBC he does not rule out a war with Venezuela after announcing a “total and complete” blockade on sanctioned oil tankers.
- U.S. forces continue strikes on suspected narcotrafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, with reports tallying more than 100 deaths since September.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the Maduro government of working with FARC dissidents and the ELN to move drugs into the United States.
- Rubio said Washington is not worried about a Venezuela-related escalation with Russia, describing Moscow’s support as limited while focused on Ukraine.
- He praised unprecedented security cooperation with Mexico and cited broader regional coordination as the U.N. Security Council prepares to discuss the crisis on Tuesday.