Overview
- The Pentagon confirmed the nuclear-powered carrier and its strike group are now under U.S. Southern Command to enhance detection, monitoring and interdiction across the region.
- U.S. forces have struck roughly 19–20 vessels since September, with about 76 deaths reported, and officials have not released public evidence tying targets to narcotics trafficking.
- Caracas approved a new law creating “defense command” structures, ordered large-scale exercises and claimed a mobilization of up to 200,000 personnel alongside expanded militia enrollment.
- The United Kingdom has stopped sharing maritime intelligence and Colombia suspended information exchanges, while Russia denounced the strikes as illegal.
- Reporting notes U.S. authorizations for covert CIA activity in Venezuela and highlights the Ford’s advanced air wing and projection capabilities, raising concerns about escalation risk.