Overview
- Venezuela’s defense ministry ordered a mass mobilization to place all forces on full operational readiness following the USS Gerald R. Ford’s arrival near Puerto Rico.
- The FANB announced activation of Plan Independencia 200 and the government touted a 200,000‑person deployment with land, air, naval and riverine assets, figures analysts say are likely overstated.
- President Nicolás Maduro directed the creation of citizen‑military defense commands and warned of guerrilla resistance and a nationwide general strike if the U.S. attacks.
- The U.S. Navy confirmed the carrier’s presence as part of a wider Caribbean operation launched in August to target drug trafficking, which has included lethal boat interdictions since September.
- Political reactions split the region as opposition leader Henrique Capriles urged a negotiated solution and former Colombian president Álvaro Uribe cautioned that Colombia could face bombings if perceived as sheltering threats, while Caracas residents voiced fear, skepticism and resignation.