Overview

• President Donald Trump said a U.S. strike in international waters destroyed a vessel he described as linked to a designated terrorist group, killing three men, and he posted video of the attack.
• The administration has conducted at least three strikes this month with a reported death toll of 17, while offering few public details on locations or evidence supporting the targets’ roles in narcotrafficking.
• Washington has surged seven warships, an attack submarine, F‑35 fighters and thousands of personnel to the southern Caribbean under U.S. Southern Command.
• Venezuela has denounced the actions as an undeclared war, staged military drills and civilian training, and previously sent a letter offering direct talks to U.S. envoy Richard Grenell as deportation flights continue.
• Senators Adam Schiff and Tim Kaine filed a War Powers resolution to block the operations as legal experts question whether the strikes comply with U.S. and international law; Trump also threatened “incalculable” consequences if Venezuela does not accept people he labeled prisoners and mental patients.