Overview
- The carrier strike group’s arrival completes a buildup of nearly a dozen U.S. ships and about 12,000 personnel under Operation Southern Spear.
- The State Department plans to designate Cartel de los Soles a Foreign Terrorist Organization effective Nov. 24, a move Marco Rubio says targets a network tied to Nicolás Maduro’s circle.
- U.S. forces carried out a 21st lethal strike on a suspected drug boat Saturday in the eastern Pacific, killing three, with at least 83 deaths reported since September across more than 20 strikes.
- President Trump said Venezuela “would like to talk” and that he has “sort of” decided on next steps as senior officials weigh options that could extend operations beyond maritime strikes.
- Regional activity includes joint training with Trinidad and Tobago and U.S. troop training in Panama, while rights groups and some lawmakers question the legal basis and evidence for the boat strikes.