"Freedom, freedom": Relatives of Colombians detained in Venezuela protest again on the Simón Bolívar bridge
Trinidad and Tobago denies signing agreement to allow US to use the country as a base
Navy ship update for the Caribbean today:USS Gerald R. Ford; USS Mahan; USS Bainbridge; USS Winston S. Churchill; USS Lake Erie (in port in St. Thomas); USS Gettysburg; USS Stockdale; USS Gravely; USS Iwo Jima; USS Fort Lauderdale; USS San Antonio; USS Wichita (north of Cuba); The Ford, Mahan, Bainbridge and Winston S. Churchill all entered the Caribbean over the weekend after making their way across the Atlantic. They are all south of Puerto Rico, per people familiar with the matter
A U.S. Air Force KC-135R tanker (DREW11) is operating just north of Venezuela, circling over the Caribbean
1 day agoMarco Rubio: U.S. Department of State intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Headed by the illegitimate Maduro
1 day agoTrump on Venezuela: We may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we'll see how that turns out — but they would like to talk
2 day agoVenezuela says sabotage caused collapse of three electric line towers
A U.S. official says the "table is being set" for possible military action against Venezuela - FOX
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll says U.S. forces are "ready to act if asked" against Venezuela - CNN
2 day agoThe aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is now in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. reported that the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, led by the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), crossed the Anegada Passage and entered the Caribbean Sea.
Paris asserts that "there has been no quid pro quo" for the release of the Frenchman imprisoned in Venezuela.
President Maduro calls US military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago off the coast of Sucre a "serious threat"
U.S. officials privately told a senior European official that the military buildup near Venezuela is meant to “raise the temperature” and see how Maduro reacts — ideally pushing him to flee or creating an opportunity to capture him and bring him to the U.S. for prosecution. Source: NYT
Secretary of War of U.S.: President Trump ordered action — and the Department of War is delivering. Today, I'm announcing Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR. Led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and @SOUTHCOM, this mission defends our Homeland, removes narco-militants from our Hemisphere, and secures our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people. The Western Hemisphere is America’s neighborhood – and we will protect it.
A Pentagon official confirms that the US military conducted its 20th strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat on Monday this week in the Caribbean, killing four people. There were no survivors, the official said
5 day agoUSS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) current position North of Puerto Rico
2.7 magnitude earthquake. 1 mi from San Jacinto, CA, United States
US Department of Justice spokesperson: "The [ship] attacks were ordered in accordance with the laws of armed conflict and, as such, are lawful orders."
Attacks against "narco-boats" are legal and military personnel responsible cannot be prosecuted, according to the US Department of Justice.
France says it is worried about U.S. military operations in the Caribbean because they "violate the international law"
Padrino López says that 200,000 soldiers have been deployed to confront "threats" from the U.S.
Maduro raises military alert in Venezuela amid escalating tensions with the United States
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford has arrived in the Southern Command's area of responsibility, Reuters reports.
Venezuelan bonds soar as US pressure on Maduro intensifies
1 week agoU.S. Secretary of War: Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. The vessel was trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean and was struck in international waters. No U.S. forces were harmed in the strike, and three male narco-terrorists — who were aboard the vessel — were killed.
1 week ago2 B-52 bombers flying just off the Venezuelan coast
Trump admin officials told Congress that the US is not currently planning to launch strikes inside Venezuela and doesn’t have a legal justification that would support attacks against land targets right now—but they’re seeking one from DOJ, per US official
1 week agoVenezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado: Iran, Russia, and China now operate militarily, technologically, and through intelligence in Venezuela—just three hours from Florida. A transition to democracy would dismantle this presence and make Venezuela a strong security ally of the United States
The New York Times, citing sources: Options regarding Venezuela include airstrikes on military installations to weaken military support for Maduro.
2 week agoDiosdado Cabello: "If someone decides to call for an invasion, they are assuming they are shirking their obligations as a Venezuelan." "And the Venezuelan state reserves the right to take whatever actions it deems necessary," he stated.
