Overview

• President Trump said he ordered a kinetic strike that destroyed a vessel after it left Venezuela, claiming 11 members of the Tren de Aragua gang were killed.
• The White House released video of a small boat being hit, and officials said the operation took place in international waters in the southern Caribbean.
• U.S. officials said seven Navy ships, including three amphibious assault vessels, are deployed in the Caribbean for counter‑drug operations, with another ship in the Pacific.
• Venezuela condemned the U.S. presence as a grave threat, announced mass militia mobilization that Maduro now claims totals 8.2 million members, and deployed navy units and surveillance drones.
• Regional reactions diverged, with ALBA countries denouncing the U.S. buildup while Guyana voiced support after alleging shots were fired from Venezuela at a Guyanese vessel, an accusation Caracas denies.