White House Orders Nigeria Military Options as U.S. Weighs Venezuela and Mexico Plans

Overview

• White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the Pentagon is preparing options after Trump warned he could send troops or launch airstrikes in Nigeria, though no operation has been authorized.
• Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu denied any religious massacre, proposed a meeting with Trump, and senior officials reiterated constitutional protections for religious freedom as civic and faith leaders urged dialogue.
• Conflict data and local experts cite overlapping farmer–herder clashes, jihadist violence and banditry that have killed Christians and Muslims, challenging claims of a targeted genocide of Christians.
• U.S. forces continued lethal maritime strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, with a new attack killing two and bringing reported deaths to at least 65–67, drawing criticism from the U.N. over legality and lack of disclosed evidence.
• U.S. officials are developing military options for Venezuela—including airstrikes, special operations targeting Nicolás Maduro, and limited control of oil infrastructure—while NBC reports early planning for an anti‑cartel mission in Mexico that President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected as unacceptable.