Overview
- U.S. Navy officials confirmed the carrier strike group is now inside the Southern Command area of responsibility, with three guided‑missile destroyers joining a large regional force posture.
- Pentagon statements say the deployment aims to bolster detection and disruption of illicit actors tied to narcotics trafficking and transnational criminal organizations.
- Venezuela announced a nationwide military deployment after accusing Washington of preparing regime change, though there have been no confirmed U.S. strikes on Venezuelan soil.
- U.S. figures attribute at least 19 strikes on suspected drug‑smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September, with at least 76 reported dead and operations conducted by drones, gunships and fighter aircraft.
- Human rights experts question the legality and evidentiary basis of the killings, Russia denounced the boat strikes, and CNN reported the U.K. has paused sharing some maritime targeting intelligence.