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U.S.–Venezuela Standoff Deepens With Carrier Deployment as Europe Withholds Intel

Human-rights officials urge investigations into deadly boat strikes that Washington defends as counter-narcotics.

Overview

  • The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group entered the U.S. Southern Command area on November 11 with four F/A-18E squadrons and several missile destroyers to support anti-drug operations.
  • Venezuela announced a nationwide "massive" mobilization including land, air, naval and missile forces as well as the Bolivarian militia in response to the U.S. posture.
  • The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for a probe into roughly 20 U.S. strikes that reportedly killed about 76 people, citing strong indications of extrajudicial executions.
  • Intelligence friction widened as the UK reportedly stopped sharing maritime targeting information over a month ago and France said no European country will provide operational intelligence for such strikes, while Colombia has now walked back an earlier suspension, according to Le Parisien.
  • Southcom says the mission targets transnational criminal groups and "narcoterrorism," as Russia condemns the strikes and voices support for Caracas.