Overview
- U.S. Southern Command said the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group crossed into the Caribbean under Operation Southern Spear, expanding a force of nearly a dozen ships and about 12,000 personnel.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the Cartel de los Soles will be designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization effective Nov. 24, alleging ties to Nicolás Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials.
- The military reported a Nov. 15 strike that killed three men in the eastern Pacific, bringing the toll to at least 21 attacks and at least 83 deaths since September, which rights groups and some lawmakers have challenged.
- President Trump said Venezuela "would like to talk" and that he has "sort of" decided next steps as senior officials brief potential options that could include operations beyond maritime strikes.
- U.S. forces began joint training this week with Trinidad and Tobago and are reactivating jungle training in Panama, while Venezuela has mobilized forces and denounced the activities as aggressive.