Overview

• A Defense Department official confirmed the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson are assigned to waters near Venezuela for counter‑narcotics operations.
• Officials cited by Reuters say roughly 4,000 sailors and Marines, P‑8 reconnaissance aircraft, additional warships and at least one attack submarine will operate for months in international sea and airspace.
• White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the United States is prepared to use all its power to stop drug flows and bring those responsible to justice.
• Nicolás Maduro announced the activation of about 4.5 million militia members, urged factory and rural units to arm, and vowed to defend Venezuelan territory.
• Cuba publicly condemned the U.S. presence and Mexico reiterated a non‑intervention stance, as reporting highlighted an August 8 presidential order authorizing Pentagon options against foreign cartels.