U.S. Hits 20th Suspected Drug Boat as Ford Carrier Enters Latin America

Overview

• U.S. forces carried out a 20th high-seas strike since September, killing at least four and bringing reported deaths to about 79, CBS News reported, as the Pentagon withheld public details on this latest action.
• The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group is now operating in U.S. Southern Command’s area, with the Pentagon saying the deployment supports efforts to detect, monitor and disrupt transnational criminal organizations.
• Caracas activated a large-scale mobilization under Plan Independencia 200, deploying regular forces and the Milicia Bolivariana, as President Nicolás Maduro urged maximum readiness for defense.
• The United Kingdom has halted sharing intelligence on suspected drug-running boats and Colombia has suspended intelligence exchanges with Washington, citing concerns that the U.S. operations violate international law.
• Senior U.S. military officials presented President Donald Trump with updated options for possible operations in Venezuela, including ground actions, according to CBS News, and no decision has been announced.