Overview
- State Department renewed its Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory, telling U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to depart Venezuela immediately due to risks including wrongful detention, torture, kidnapping, crime and poor health care.
- Reuters reports that elements within Cuba’s government have approached U.S. officials to discuss outcomes without Nicolás Maduro in power, even as Havana publicly condemns Washington’s military posture.
- The U.S. has concentrated major assets near Venezuela, including the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group, multiple warships, a nuclear submarine and F‑35 aircraft, following more than 20 strikes on suspected drug‑smuggling boats.
- President Trump has declared Venezuelan airspace “closed” and warned that land operations could begin soon, while news reports say the CIA received expanded covert authorities for Venezuela and regional operations.
- Washington designated the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization in November, and senators introduced a war powers resolution to restrict any use of force against Venezuela without explicit authorization.