U.S. Night Stalkers Spotted Near Venezuela as Reports Cite Trump-Approved Covert Actions

Overview

• Helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment were documented training in the Caribbean roughly 145–150 km from the Venezuelan coast near offshore platforms, including in an official U.S. Homeland Security post.
• An administration source told U.S. media the flights were preparatory training, while The Washington Post and The New York Times reported Trump authorized covert CIA operations and a confidential directive allowing aggressive actions.
• Satellite imagery reviewed by The Washington Post identified what appeared to be the MV Ocean Trader northeast of Trinidad and Tobago, a vessel often used as a floating base for the unit.
• Since August, U.S. forces have conducted multiple maritime strikes under a counter‑narcotics rationale, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said an Oct. 17 strike killed three crew members linked to Colombia’s ELN.
• Analysts say the mix of counter‑drug operations, terrorism rhetoric and elite force positioning may be building a legal‑political case for potential actions that could extend into Venezuelan territory.