Overview

• Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said Venezuela is launching naval patrols in the Gulf of Venezuela and sending larger vessels farther north, paired with a major drone deployment for multiple missions.
• An American official said the U.S. is adding the cruiser USS Lake Erie and the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Newport to three Arleigh Burke–class destroyers already heading to waters off Venezuela.
• U.S. media have reported Pentagon plans to position about 4,000 Marines in the region near Venezuela’s coast.
• Caracas previously sent 15,000 security personnel to the Colombia border for anti-drug operations and says authorities have seized 53 tons of narcotics this year.
• Washington has labeled the alleged Cartel de los Soles a terrorist group, accused Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello of involvement, and raised the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, while Maduro says he has activated a plan involving more than 4.5 million militia members.