Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said three strikes on four boats in the Eastern Pacific killed 14 alleged traffickers with one survivor, bringing recent fatalities from maritime operations to at least 57.
- The Pentagon has redeployed the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group and other air and naval assets to the Caribbean to detect, monitor and disrupt suspected trafficking networks near Venezuela.
- President Trump has confirmed authorizing covert CIA action targeting Venezuela, and Sen. Lindsey Graham says the president plans to brief Congress on potential operations that could extend beyond the sea.
- Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the strikes, said the U.S. ambassador would be called in for a review, and noted Mexican authorities coordinated rescue efforts for the lone survivor.
- Energy and shipping analysts report “shadow tankers” continue carrying Venezuelan crude through the Caribbean, while Caracas suspended a gas deal with Trinidad and Tobago over a U.S. warship visit and accuses Washington of seeking regime change and oil.