Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
As U.S. President Donald Trump continues to mull his options for dealing with Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth arrived in the Caribbean to meet with regional leaders. The visit comes as the U.S. has built up a large military presence in the region and the world awaits what Trump will do next. You can catch up with our most recent coverage of the Caribbean operation in our story here.
“The Secretary will meet with President Luis Abinader, Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre and Cabinet officials to strengthen defense relationships and reaffirm America’s commitment to defend the homeland, protect our regional partners and ensure stability and security across the Americas,” according to the Pentagon. His visit follows a trip to the region by Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who returned to Washington last night.
Though Trump says he is open to discussions with Maduro that could avoid hostilities, the South American leader continues to show outward displays of defiance.
On Tuesday, Trump remained coy about his intentions for what has been dubbed Operation Southern Spear, ostensibly a counter-narcotics effort but one also aimed at pressuring Maduro.
“I might talk to him. We’ll see,” Trump told reporters Tuesday night aboard Air Force One in reference to Maduro. “But we’re discussing that with the different staffs. We might talk.”
Asked why he would want to talk to Maduro after his administration designated the cartel he allegedly leads a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), Trump noted that the Venezuelan leader has two options. As we previously discussed, the FTO designation opens the aperture on the ability for Trump to order kinetic operations against Venezuela.
“If we can save lives, we can do things the easy way, that’s fine,” Trump explained. “And if we have to do it the hard way that’s fine, too… I’m not going to tell you what the goal is. You should probably know what the goal is. But, they’ve caused a lot of problems. And they’ve sent millions of people into our country.”
PRESIDENT TRUMP on potential talks with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: “If we can save lives, if we can do things the easy way, that’s fine. And if we have to do it the hard way, that’s fine too.” pic.twitter.com/g8pxPvcfgv
For his part, Maduro tried to exude an aura of confidence on Tuesday, invoking the memory of national hero Simon Bolivar to rally a nation under the gun. You cannot travel far in Caracas or much of the rest of the country without coming upon a memorial to Bolivar, who liberated the country from Spain 200 years ago and remains highly revered.
“We have to be capable of defending every inch of this blessed land from any sort of imperialist threat or aggression, wherever it comes from,” Maduro, clad in camouflage from head to toe, exclaimed. “I swear before our Lord Jesus Christ, that I will give my all for the victory of Venezuela.”
“We must be ready to defend every inch of this blessed land from imperialist threat or aggression, no matter where it comes from,” Maduro continued as he brandished a sword believed to have once belonged to Bolivar. “There is no excuse for anyone to fail at this decisive moment, for the existence of the Republic, no excuse.”
President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro delivers a speech while holding the Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar’s ‘Sword of Peru’ during a military ceremony on November 25, 2025, in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images) Jesus Vargas
While the Trump administration insists that its efforts are ultimately aimed at stopping the flow of drugs into the United States, the president of Colombia told CNN that there is another motivation for the large military buildup.
Oil “is at the heart of the matter,” Gustavo Petro claimed to CNNin an exclusive interview, noting that Venezuela has what are considered the largest oil reserves in the world.
“So, that’s a negotiation about oil. I believe that is (US President Donald) Trump’s logic. He’s not thinking about the democratization of Venezuela, let alone the narco-trafficking,” he continued, adding that Venezuela is not considered a major drug producer and that only a relatively small portion of the global drugs trade flows through the country.”
Of course, Petro’s point of view has to be seen as coming from a leader who has been at odds with Trump. Since the American president returned to the White House, Petro “has harshly criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies, its support for Israel and its military activity around Latin America,” the cable network noted. Trump, meanwhile, has sanctioned Petro for a perceived lack of support in drug interdiction efforts.
“Trump is not thinking about the democratization of Venezuela, let alone the narcotrafficking. It’s about oil.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks exclusively to @IsaCNN about why the US president is targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. pic.twitter.com/EtjYsQVIuS
Whether Trump is considering offering Maduro an off-ramp before what could be airstrikes on targets in Venezuela or a covert action to depose the South American strongman remains unknown. However, there are indications that Maduro is not interested in a negotiated exit from power.
“The calculation for Maduro is that he will always be safer here than anywhere else,” Phil Gunson, an analyst in Caracas for the International Crisis Group, told The Wall Street Journal.
With a $50 million bounty on his head as the result of being a fugitive from U.S. drug charges, Maduro likely feels unsafe outside his cocoon of protection in Venezuela.
Beyond that, the list of countries that would take him and provide security is short. Russia or Cuba might, but as the Journal noted, refuge in a European capital or elsewhere would bring limited security from those seeking not just material reward, but also revenge after years of what many consider a despotic rule.
The public statements issued by both Trump and Maduro in recent days contrast with previous sentiments. While Trump has left speaking with Maduro as an option, he reportedly privately turned down de-escalation overtures from the South American leader. Meanwhile, though Maduro is putting on a brave face, it was said that he was open to leaving power in exchange for amnesty for him and his lieutenants, the lifting of the bounty and a comfortable exile, according to claims in a report from The Atlantic.
Meanwhile, there are 15,000 U.S. troops, a dozen ships and an array of aircraft in the Caribbean waiting for orders. To highlight that presence, the military has produced a steady stream of videos pushed out on social media. They show U.S. forces on ships like the aircraft carrier USSGerald R. Ford, or land-based in Puerto Rico, training and preparing.
An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), in the western Atlantic Ocean.
These visuals are part of the Trump administration’s increasing pressure campaign on Maduro. On Nov. 24, Air Forces Southern Command publicized another Bomber Attack Demonstration, with B-52H Stratofortresses from Minot Air Force Base conducting the mission in the Caribbean. It was at least the second such demonstration in a week.
As we explained in an earlier story, the B-52s “are capable of unleashing waves of standoff cruise missiles and can carry a host of other conventional munitions that can be employed against targets on land and at sea. Though the Venezuelan armed forces have limited air defense capabilities, they could still pose a threat. Standoff strikes from aircraft like the B-52 and other assets would be a likely component of any future U.S. direct action against targets inside the country to help reduce risks to friendly forces. They could even target air defense systems to help clear the way for follow-on operations.”
.@usairforce B-52H long-range bombers from @TeamMinot conducted a Bomber Attack Demo in the Caribbean Sea in support of Operation Southern Spear, bringing Hemispheric security & stability, Nov 24. During the mission, USAF integrated with fighter jets & trained on rapid mobility. pic.twitter.com/cQAhMJMV5c
All the while, American men and women will spend another holiday away from home, a fact of life in the service. Whether they will be pressed into action against Maduro remains unknown.
BLACK Friday has arrived and the cruise deals are making waves.
From the Caribbean to the Norwegian Fjords, cruise lines are slashing prices, throwing in free drinks packages and cutting hundreds of pounds off cabin costs.
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We’ve picked out the best Black Friday cruise dealsCredit: Getty
But don’t delay – most offers end in early December.
Jacob Lewis looks at the top deals.
PRINCESS CRUISES
THE cruise line is turning Black Friday ‘Blue’ with up to £1,000 off per stateroom across more than 1,500 voyages.
The sale runs until December 2, for cruises in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
SOME great savings can be had on Dover departures, valid on all cruises booked departing November 30 to September 30, 2027.
See Rotterdam on the 13-night Canary Island Enchantment cruiseCredit: Getty
They include $400 onboard credit per person on 21-day cruises, $300 for 10-20 day cruises and $200 for eight days.
Examples include the 13-night Canary Island Enchantment with Portugal itinerary sailing from Dover on April 17, 2026 and including calls in Rotterdam, Agadir, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lisbon.
Prices start from £2,779pp for the ‘Have It All’ package including drinks, shore excursion credit, speciality dining, wifi and tips plus $300pp ship credit.
P&O is having its biggest Black Friday sale, with up to £300 off per cabin on more than 500 cruises.
The offer runs until December 2 on sailings from March 2026 to October 2027 in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Norwegian Fjords.
See Barbados on P&O’s 14-night Caribbean Islands cruise on BritanniaCredit: Alamy
There’s a stunning 14-night Caribbean Islands cruise on Britannia, leaving Bridgetown, Barbados on March 6, 2026.
You’ll visit Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St Vincent, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Saint Maarten.
Prices from £1,779pp based on two sharing an inside cabin. Call 0345 356 9999 or visit pocruises.com.
MSC CRUISES
MSC has up to 50 per cent off more than 5,900 cruises from Winter 2025 through Summer 2027.
Destinations include the Caribbean, Emirates, Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Voyagers Club members get an extra five per cent off.
Grab a seven-night Northern Europe cruise on MSC Poesia departing Southampton on January 3, visiting Hamburg, Rotterdam and Le Havre.
It’s from only £379pp — perfect for a post-Christmas getaway. For more deals visit msccruises.co.uk.
AMBASSADOR CRUISE LINE
AMBASSADOR’S campaign brings back free drinks on selected UK no-fly departures from April 2026 to March 2028.
Running until December 1, the offer includes house-brand spirits, wines and soft drinks on sailings from London Tilbury, Portsmouth, Belfast, Liverpool and Newcastle.
See Santander on Ambassador’s ten-night France and Spain Explorer round-trip sailing from Portsmouth on AmbitionCredit: Getty
Its ten-night France and Spain Explorer round-trip sailing from Portsmouth on Ambition, departs April 12, 2026.
Visit Bordeaux (with an overnight), La Coruna, Gijon and Santander.
Fares start from just £636pp with drinks included.
Sail the Med in style on a seven-night cruise from Barcelona, calling at Tuscany and Cinque Terre (La Spezia), Rome (Civitavecchia), Ajaccio in Corsica, Cannes and Marseille before returning to Barcelona.
Departures on September 26 and October 17, 2027 from £1,045pp. Book at virginvoyages.com.
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier and its dozens of fighter aircraft are now in the Caribbean Sea, joining the largest U.S. military buildup in the region since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Meanwhile, the State Department announced Sunday that it plans to designate the drug cartel allegedly headed by Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on Nov. 24, widening the aperture for potential military actions. These moves are the latest escalation of pressure on the South American leader, as the world awaits U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on what, if any, further military actions he will take.
Sunday night, Trump appeared to offer a carrot to Maduro, saying he would be willing to open up a dialogue with the embattled Venezuelan leader.
“We may be having some discussions with Maduro,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One in West Palm Beach. “They would like to talk… I talk to everybody.”
President Donald Trump said he is open to speaking to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid rising tension with the country. This follows another deadly U.S. strike over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/zuvonOHbtJ
Trump did not elaborate; however, in private, he has talked to aides about Venezuela’s huge oil reserves, estimated at 300 billion barrels, the largest in the world, The New York Times claimed in a recent article. Trump has reportedly had an offer from Maduro that would give the U.S. rights to much of that oil in return for forestalling military action. While the American president called off those talks, a senior administration official told the Times that they were not entirely dead. The deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and three of its escort ships, the official added, was a means to gain leverage over Maduro.
The U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, including the flagship USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), left, USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), front, USS Mahan (DDG 72), back, USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), is now in the Caribbean, the Navy announced on Sunday. (Petty Officer 3rd Class Tajh Payne) Petty Officer 3rd Class Tajh Payne
Trump on Sunday added that while he will notify Congress about what he will ultimately decide, he doesn’t need their permission to strike Venezuela.
“We’re stopping drugs from coming into our country,” the U.S. president continued. “I told [Secretary of State] Marco [Rubio] – go to Congress and let them know we’re not letting drugs come through Mexico, we’re not letting them come through Venezuela, and let Congress know about it. We don’t have to get their approval. But I think letting them know is good. The only thing I don’t want them to do is leak information… and they put our military at risk.”
On Sunday, the administration also announced two major sticks it could use against Maduro.
The Ford and its escorts – the Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyers USS Bainbridge, USS Mahan, and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) – arrived in the Caribbean, according to a Navy release. A U.S. official told The War Zone on Monday that the aircraft carrier was in the vicinity of Puerto Rico, which puts it roughly 700 miles north of the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and the epicenter of the military buildup in the region.
The Ford brings with it a great deal of additional capability to the newly named Joint Task Force Southern Spear, the enhanced counter-narcotics operation for which these forces have ostensibly been gathered. There are four squadrons of F/A-18 Super Hornets, a squadron of E/A-18 Growler electronic warfare jets, a squadron of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne command and control aircraft, MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and a detachment of C-2A Greyhound carrier onboard delivery planes.
The Ford brings with it dozens of tactical aircraft in nine squadrons. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alyssa Joy) Seaman Alyssa Joy
There were already seven Navy surface warships plus support vessels, a special operations mothership and aircraft, including F-35B stealth fighters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, P-8 wartime patrol aircraft, AC-130 Ghostrider gunships and about 15,000 U.S. personnel deployed to the region. Beyond that, there are “site surveys ongoing to see if even more military assets should be sent to the region,” a U.S. official told The War Zoneon Nov. 7.
A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, guides a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to VMFA-225 after its landing at the former Roosevelt Roads Navy base, now Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport, Puerto Rico. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Gavin) Lance Cpl. Michael Gavin
As the Navy highlighted that the Ford had crossed into the Caribbean, Rubio on Sunday announced that he “intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective November 24, 2025.”
“Based in Venezuela, the Cartel de los Soles is headed by Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking individuals of the illegitimate Maduro regime who have corrupted Venezuela’s military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary,” according to a State Department release. “Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela’s legitimate government. Cartel de los Soles by and with other designated FTOs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”
.@StateDept intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Headed by the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro, the group has corrupted the institutions of government in Venezuela and is responsible for terrorist violence conducted by and with other…
Venezuelan political circles see the State Department’s move “as an ultimatum: a final window for Maduro to negotiate his exit or face what many see as the most serious U.S. threat to his rule to date,” The Miami Herald reported, “as the U.S. deploys the largest concentration of military assets in the Caribbean in decades.”
Trump on Sunday said designating Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization allows the U.S. military authority to target Maduro’s assets and infrastructure inside Venezuela.
“It allows us to do that, but we haven’t said we’re going to do that,” Trump explained.
ÚLTIMA HORA | Trump dice que designación del Cartel de los Soles “permite” que Washington ataque los activos de Maduro en Venezuela.
U.S. Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez, a Republican from Miami and fierce Maduro critic, lauded the State Department action.
“Remember that by designating the Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization, it allows us to attack them militarily within the framework of U.S. law,” he stated on X. “Then they can’t say they weren’t warned. It’s almost over.”
🚨#SOSVenezuela Acuérdense que al designar al Cartel de los Soles como una organización terrorista extranjera, nos permite atacarlos militarmente dentro del marco legal estadounidense.
While he said on Friday that he “sorta made up my mind” on what to do about Maduro, Trump appeared noncommittal on Sunday.
So far, U.S. kinetic actions against the cartels have been limited to strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats. On Nov. 15, the U.S. carried out the 22nd known attack, which combined have killed at least 80 people. The majority of those strikes were carried out by the MQ-9s and some by the AC-130 Ghostriders, as we have noted.
These attacks, however, have been criticized for being extrajudicial strikes without Congressional authorization. The administration has justified the strikes by declaring drug cartels to be “unlawful combatants,” and Trump has claimed, without proof, that each sunken boat has saved 25,000 American lives, presumably from overdoses.
On Nov. 15, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,… pic.twitter.com/iM1PhIsroj
If expanded strikes on land targets occur after the November 24th horizon, they could be limited to strictly cartel and drug production target sets that do not include state facilities. These could include labs, logistical nodes, such as port facilities, and cartel personnel. Striking military installations and other state infrastructure that the U.S. believes actively facilitate the drug trade would be a further escalation. Going directly after the Maduro regime and its military capabilities as a whole would be the farthest rung up the escalation ladder.
For his part, Maduro seems to be wavering between acquiescence and bravado.
On Nov. 15, Maduro sang John Lennon’s iconic peace anthem “Imagine” during a rally with supporters. Maduro urged calm, repeating “Peace, peace, peace” while government officials made peace signs on stage.
However, at the same rally, Maduro showed defiance, essentially telling the Trump administration to mind its own business.
“The U.S. wants to rule the world but ignores its own millions without housing, food, education, or battling addiction,” the Venezuelan strong man proclaimed. “They want to ‘save’ others with weapons. First, save yourselves; we know what to do with Venezuela.”
Venezuelan President Maduro:
The U.S. wants to rule the world but ignores its own millions without housing, food, education, or battling addiction.
What will happen next is anyone’s guess. By law, Congress has seven days to review the State Department’s designation of Cartel de los Soles as an FTO. However, as we noted earlier in this story, Trump has hinted that he doesn’t need Congressional approval to attack Venezuela. In addition, it should be noted that Trump’s reported suggestions that potential adversaries want to talk are not necessarily a sign of impending calm.
On June 15, during the crisis about Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions, Trump said Iran would “like to make a deal. They’re talking. They continue to talk,” adding that there was “no deadline” on the talks. Just six days later, the U.S. attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities in an operation dubbed Midnight Hammer.
As tensions in the Caribbean continue to simmer, we will provide updates when warranted.
Update 3:46 PM Eastern –
Speaking to reporters at the White House Monday afternoon, Trump was asked if he has ruled out putting U.S. troops in Venezuela.
“No, I don’t rule out that,” he answered. “I don’t rule out anything.”
Players from the tiny but beautiful Caribbean island of Curacao are 90 minutes away from creating World Cup history.
If they avoid defeat away at Jamaica on Tuesday night (Wednesday 01:00 GMT), Curacao – guided by former Netherlands and Rangers boss Dick Advocaat – will qualify for the finals for the first time.
They would become the smallest nation ever to play at the World Cup. That record is held by Iceland, who reached the 2018 finals, but their country is far bigger than Curacao, which has a population of just over 150,000 (similar to Cambridge or Huddersfield) and a land area smaller than the Isle of Man.
“It’s crazy and would be one of the biggest things that will happen to Curacao,” said midfielder Juninho Bacuna, a former Huddersfield, Rangers and Birmingham player.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he added: “It’s incredible and amazing. Even a few years ago you would not even think about it, but now we are this close.
“We’re certain to just give our all to qualify for the World Cup. To be personally part of it and to make that dream come true would be incredible.”
Curacao, 37 miles off the Venezuela coast, only became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.
Ten years ago they were 150th in Fifa’s world rankings. Now they are 82nd.
The expanded 2026 World Cup format, which features 48 nations instead of 32, along with the fact hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States all qualify automatically, has given Curacao a much-improved chance.
And in nine qualifying matches, they have won seven. A 2-0 home win over Jamaica in October, followed by a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago and a 7-0 away thrashing of Bermuda on Friday, has them top of their group with one match to go.
In the final game, they are away at Jamaica, who are one point behind Curacao and will qualify themselves with a victory.
Nov. 16 (UPI) — The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group entered the Caribbean Sea on Sunday, adding to a military build-up in the region, as President Donald Trump signaled that he may have decided on a possible U.S. show of force in Venezuela.
The Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, leads a strike group assigned to dismantle international narcotics trafficking organizations.
President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is getting closer to deciding on a course of action in Venezuela after a series of high-level meetings with officials amid mounting tensions in the region.
“I sort of have made up my mind – yeah,” Trump told reporters about Air Force One when asked about the meetings and the situation in Venezuela. “I can’t tell you what it would be, but I sort of have.”
Trump was briefed last week on options for military action in Venezuela, one of which could potentially include outing President Nicolas Maduro, several officials told CNN.
Last week, Trump was briefed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Kaine and a larger group of national security officials about U.S. options in Venezuela.
They discussed a wide range of options, including air strikes on military and government facilities, drug-trafficking routes and a potential attempt to remove Maduro directly.
Trump has previously considered targeting cocaine production facilities and trafficking routes inside the country, CNN reported. The president last month authorized the CIA to operate in Venezuela, but administration officials later told lawmakers that there is no justification that would support military action against any land targets in the country. Trump recently said on CBS News’ 60 Minutes that he is not considering that option.
WASHINGTON — The nation’s most advanced aircraft carrier arrived in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday in a display of U.S. military power, raising questions about what the new influx of troops and weaponry could signal for the Trump administration’s drug enforcement campaign in South America.
The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, announced by the U.S. military in a news release, marks a major moment in what the Trump administration says is an antidrug operation but has been seen as an escalating pressure tactic against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Since early September, U.S. strikes have killed at least 80 people in 20 attacks on small boats accused of transporting drugs in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean.
The Ford rounds off the largest buildup of U.S. firepower in the region in generations, bringing the total number of troops to around 12,000 on nearly a dozen Navy ships in what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dubbed Operation Southern Spear.
The Ford’s carrier strike group, which includes squadrons of fighter jets and guided-missile destroyers, transited the Anegada Passage near the British Virgin Islands on Sunday morning, the Navy said in a statement.
Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, who commands the Ford’s carrier strike group, said it will bolster an already large force of American warships to “protect our nation’s security and prosperity against narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.”
The administration has maintained that the buildup of warships is focused on stopping the flow of drugs into the U.S., but it has released no evidence to support its assertions that those killed in the boats were “narco-terrorists.” An Associated Press report recently found that those killed included Venezuelan fishermen and other impoverished men earning a few hundred dollars per trip.
President Trump has indicated military action would expand beyond strikes by sea, saying the U.S. would “stop the drugs coming in by land.”
The U.S. has long used aircraft carriers to pressure and deter aggression by other nations because their warplanes can strike targets deep inside another country. Some experts say the Ford is ill-suited to fighting cartels, but it could be an effective instrument of intimidation for Maduro in a push to get him to step down.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States does not recognize Maduro, who was widely accused of stealing last year’s election, as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. Rubio has called Venezuela’s government a “transshipment organization” that openly cooperates with those trafficking drugs.
Maduro, who faces charges of narco-terrorism in the U.S., has said the government in Washington is “fabricating” a war against him. Venezuela’s government recently touted a “massive” mobilization of troops and civilians to defend against possible U.S. attacks.
Trump has justified the attacks on drug boats by saying the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with drug cartels while claiming the boats are operated by foreign terrorist organizations.
He has faced skepticism and opposition from leaders in the region, the United Nations human rights chief and U.S. lawmakers, including Republicans, who have pressed for more information on who is being targeted and the legal justification for the boat strikes.
Senate Republicans, however, recently voted to reject legislation that would have put a check on Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela without congressional authorization.
Experts disagree on whether or not American warplanes may be used to strike land targets inside Venezuela. Either way, the 100,000-ton warship is sending a message.
“This is the anchor of what it means to have U.S. military power once again in Latin America,” said Elizabeth Dickinson, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for the Andes region. “And it has raised a lot of anxieties in Venezuela but also throughout the region. I think everyone is watching this with sort of bated breath to see just how willing the U.S. is to really use military force.”
The Cies Islands, a short boat ride from the city of Vigo in northwest Spain, are part of the UNESCO-recognised Atlantic Islands National Park, a natural environment that makes it an exceptional spot for observing wildlife
Chloe Dobinson and Laura Zilincanova
21:37, 13 Nov 2025
A quick boat trip from the city of Vigo will take you to the Cíes Islands(Image: Getty)
If you’re fed up with crowded beaches, overpriced drinks, and the never-ending queues of Europe’s typical island hotspots, then northwest Spain could be just the ticket. Galicia is a region that often goes unnoticed by international tourists.
Unlike the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, it’s famed for its verdant landscapes, rugged coastline, and mild climate rather than endless beaches and nightlife. Its relative anonymity is partly due to its remoteness and accessibility – it feels a world away compared to Majorca or Tenerife – but this has helped maintain its genuine charm.
Just a quick boat trip from the city of Vigo will take you to the Cíes Islands, a place that could easily be mistaken for the Caribbean. While Vigo is known for its foggy and damp climate, the Cíes Islands, an archipelago off the coast of Galicia, are a delightful surprise, reports the Express.
The islands are part of the UNESCO-recognised Atlantic Islands National Park, a natural habitat that makes it a prime spot for wildlife watching. Declared a Nature Reserve in 1980, its white sands, turquoise waters, and dramatic cliffs make the destination feel entirely unlike anything else on the continent.
The Cíes archipelago comprises three islands: Monte Agudo, O Faro and San Martiño.
The first two are linked by an extensive stretch of sand: Rodas Beach, amongst the jewels of the Cíes Islands. The Guardian declared this beach the world’s finest. Stretching over half a mile in length and 200 feet in width, it boasts pristine white sand, crystal-clear emerald waters, and untouched dune landscapes. Situated conveniently close to the harbour, it remains easily reachable and perfect for a day’s excursion.
Ferry transport provides the sole access to these islands, with visitor numbers strictly controlled throughout the summer period. This ensures you can wander along Rodas Beach feeling as though you’ve discovered a hidden haven, rather than battling crowds of tourists.
Towering pine woodlands, walking paths, and rugged clifftops provide an adventurous atmosphere, whilst the Atlantic seas offer the perfect cooling plunge following a morning’s hike. One visitor posted on Tripadvisor: “This is definitely a bucket list destination. A perfect little piece of unspoilt paradise with some of the best scenery and beaches I’ve ever seen.”
Another commented: “Arriving in the morning, we hiked to the lighthouse with spectacular views, then a picnic and drinking coffee at the campsite that served us remarkably, we continued to the Alto do Príncipe, ending up on the beach of Figueiras, a real paradise despite its cold waters, undoubtedly an island paradise.”
For those tired of the usual Mediterranean hotspots, the Cíes Islands provide a refreshing alternative: untouched natural splendour, serene beaches, and the unique opportunity to escape Europe’s typical holiday hustle and bustle.
A PRETTY town on a island in Greece has opened a new €3.5million (£3million) marina to visitors.
The brand new marina in Nydri, which is located on the Ionian island of Lefkada, is set to attract more tourists, visitors and yacht owners to the area.
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A town on the island of Lefkada in Greece has a new £3million marinaCredit: AlamyIt is hoped that the new marina will bring more tourists to the islandCredit: Alamy
Having opened back in April, the marina has 73 berths for yachts up to 15 metres.
The marina was developed to make access to the Ionian islands better.
While there is a small bridge from the mainland which makes the island accessible via car, the new marina should help to improve nautical tourism.
Deputy Maritime Minister Stefanos Gkikas, stated: “This project marks a vital development that will foster prosperity not only in Nydri but across the entire island of Lefkada.”
He added that the upgrades make the destination competitive with the likes of Croatia, Montenegro and Albania.
He said: “It is crucial for the Ionian Islands to experience such significant growth in maritime tourism.”
The project was also part of a wider development plan to expand marine tourism in the islands.
Other projects include adding a 100-berth marina in Vassiliki.
Nydri itself is a pretty resort town to explore, just under 10 miles from the main town.
The town curves around the bay and has a few quaint taverns and restaurants to explore.
Head to the harbour to see boats bobbing up and down on the water.
Or venture to Dimosari Waterfalls – a popular hiking spot that leads to Dimosari Gorge and its waterfalls, which you can even swim in in the warmer months.
As a whole, this island of Lefkada is known as the ‘Caribbean of Greece‘ thanks to its exotic, Caribbean-like natural landscape.
On the island, visitors will find sprawling beaches, such as Porto Katsiki which is bookended by dramatic cliffs and has soft, golden sands.
One recent visitor said: “Great beautiful beach with beautiful blue water! The road after is already an experience and beautiful views!”
The island’s main town is also worth exploring – it features lots of little alleys, a long promenade and several restaurants and bars.
Throughout the town there are a number of landmarks worth exploring too, such as the Church of Pantokrator and the Church of Agioi Anargyroi.
Or head to a museum, such as the Phonograph Museum, the Folklore Museum or the Archaeological Museum.
The island is littered with different accommodation spots, meaning there is something for every type of holidaymaker.
For example, you could stay at Armeno Beach Hotel from £72 per night.
The hotel has a restaurant, with free breakfast included and beach access.
In the island’s main town, there are a number of narrow alleys to explore with restaurants, bars and shopsCredit: Alamy
Alternatively, head to Lefkas Hotel, which has a pool and is a two minute walk from the sea – it costs from £43 per night.
The best way to get to Lefkada is by flying into Aktion National Airport, which is about an hour away from Lefkada.
Some airlines fly seasonally to the airport – for example, you could fly with easyJet from London Gatwick to Aktion Airport in April 2026 for £171 return.
Alternatively, you can fly into Athens and drive, which takes around five hours.
Flights from the UK to Athens in December cost as little as £28 return from London, £61 return from Bristol and £71 return from Manchester.
It can carry 1,100 guests who will fly/cruise from Barbados on 14-night itineraries, which include visits to St Kitts, Martinique, Antigua, St Maarten and Curacao.
The cruise line has chartered Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow or Manchester to fly you in style to join Renaissance for the winter season, with four choices of seating class.
Renaissance will then head to Blighty for the summer to join sister ships Ambience and Ambition with exciting new itineraries.
A peek at the choice of cabins impressed me. Even the inside one is spacious, light and airy, with serious amounts of storage – and enough hangers!
This is not a super- luxurious expensive cruise line, but it offers a great-value opportunity to escape the British winter.
The inside cabins were the best I have ever seen. The suites? Well, with a super-spacious private balcony, I would have had to drag myself away to enjoy the onboard entertainment. They were very good value.
There are of course porthole and window cabins, some balcony, and even cabins with sliding doors onto the outside deck.
The theatre was gorgeous – elegant and comfortable, West End glamour – without the queue for the Ladies!
A large gym, and free access to the spa suite promised opportunities to keep fit. Lots of lounge and library space too.
And there are plenty of top-notch dining options.
Renaissance can carry 1,100 guests who will fly/cruise from Barbados on 14-night itineraries that include calls at ports including AntiguaCredit: Shutterstock
The impressive Valet main dining restaurant covers two decks and offers great sea views.
The Belle Vue buffet restaurant is great for casual dining and there are three speciality venues at a small extra cost plus a signature Chef’s Table seven-course dining experience.
Kreole will serve up a vibrant menu reflecting Caribbean culinary traditions, Lotus has Pan-Asian options and Terre et Mer will feature a six-course extravaganza.
I was sad Renaissance sailed without me this time but you don’t have to miss the boat, there are Christmas and New Year cruises as well as lots more dates to discover the delights of Ambassadors’ Renaissance in the Caribbean in 2026.
GO: CRUISE CARIBBEAN
GETTING/SAILING THERE: Ambassador Cruise Lines’ Renaissance 14-night full-board sailings are from £1,099pp including flights from Heathrow.
TheSan Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Fort Lauderdale has left Mayport, Florida, and is returning to the Caribbean to rejoin the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)/22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), a U.S. official confirmed to The War Zone Monday morning. The vessel left on Sunday and is now south of Miami in the Straits of Florida, according to an online ship tracker. It will provide additional air and troop support once it arrives on station. San Antonio class ships can launch and land two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters or two MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft or up to four AH-1Z, UH-1Y or MH-60 helicopters at once. In addition, they can carry Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft or other landing craft and boats in their well deck, and can transport up to 800 Marines.
The San Antonio class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) is on its way back to the Caribbean to rejoin the ongoing enhanced counter-narcotics mission. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Savannah L. Hardesty) Petty Officer 2nd Class Savannah Hardesty
The Fort Lauderdale is set to rejoin a flotilla of at least eight other surface warships plus a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine arrayed for an enhanced counter-narcotics mission also aimed, at least partially, at Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro. The Henry J. Kaiser class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha is in the region as well, the Navy official told us. In addition, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and one of its escort ships, the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge, are currently in the western Mediterranean Sea, heading toward the Caribbean, a U.S. Navy official told The War Zone. It could take as long as another week for those ships to arrive in the Caribbean, the official added.
🔎🇺🇸Final Alignment: CSG 12 Appears almost Ready for Southcom Pivot
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) remains visually unescorted in the Central Mediterranean (Nov 1). This could be a calculated tactical decision to facilitate the nearby replenishment of a key escort.
The MV Ocean Trader – a roll-on/roll-off cargo ship modified to carry special operators and their gear – has also appeared in several places around the Caribbean in recent weeks. Navy officials and U.S. Special Operations Command have declined to comment on this vessel. The ship, which TWZ first reported on back in 2016, has been something of a ghost since entering service, popping up in hot spots around the globe.
There is also an increasing buildup on the land. Reuters noted that the U.S. is continuing to make improvements at the former Roosevelt Roads Navy base for use by combat and cargo aircraft. Since August, the facility has been used as a central logistics hub, with frequent landings by airlifters and by aircraft from the 22nd MEU as well. The new additions include Mobile Aircraft Arresting Systems for stopping incoming fast jets. As we have reported in the past, Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighters are already operating from there and the MAAS can help support I fighters during emergencies. The incoming USS Gerald R. Ford’s air wing, for instance, could use the base as a divert location.
The military has also set up 20 tents at the installation.
📍José Aponte de la Torre Airport, #UnitedStates (🇺🇸)
Recent @Reuters photos from José Aponte de la Torre Airport viewing the ongoing C-17A Globemaster III logistics operations unloading cargo at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. pic.twitter.com/mgpPjJxwOu
Satellite images show construction of an ammunition storage facility at the airport at Rafael Hernandez Airport, the second-busiest civilian airport in Puerto Rico.
Reuters also found significant changes at Rafael Hernandez Airport. The US military has moved in communications gear and a mobile air traffic control tower. Satellite images show construction of an ammunition storage facility at the airport -Reuters pic.twitter.com/L3lRCwr3kU
Beyond Puerto Rico, the U.S. has set up a new radar system at an airport in St. Croix.
A AN/TPS-75, which acts as the primary land-based tactical air defense radar for the U.S. Air Force, seen deployed late last month at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on the Island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, just to the southeast of Puerto Rico and roughly 450 miles to the… pic.twitter.com/eaC3vEybgU
Despite the buildup, the Trump administration’s goal remains unclear. In an interview on Sunday with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, President Donald Trump offered a mixed message about his plans for Venezuela.
Asked if the U.S. was going to war with the South American nation, Trump answered, “I doubt it. I don’t think so. But they’ve been treating us very badly, not only on drugs – they’ve dumped hundreds of thousands of people into our country that we didn’t want, people from prisons – they emptied their prisons into our country.”
Later in the interview, the president was asked if “Maduro’s days as president are numbered.”
“I would say ‘yeah. I think so, yeah,” Trump responded. The American leader, however, declined to offer any details about what that meant.
“I’m not gonna tell you what I’m gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn’t going to do it,” he explained when queried about whether he will order land attacks in Venezuela.
As for why the Ford carrier strike group is heading toward the Caribbean, Trump explained, “it’s gotta be somewhere. It’s a big one.”
Moscow “resolutely condemns the use of excessive military force” by the U.S. in the Caribbean,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, adding that Russia fully supports the Venezuelan government in its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and maintain the region as a “zone of peace.”
Amid the growing tensions, Russian aircraft have landed in Venezuela. potentially with military supplies, Defense News reported last week.
A russian Il-76 landed in Venezuela following Maduro’s appeal to the russian Federation for military assistance, – Defense News.
These aircraft were previously used to transport weapons, military equipment, and even russian mercenaries. pic.twitter.com/M6cC7Srwz8
Meanwhile, as Trump maintains a level of strategic ambiguity about his objectives toward Maduro, the U.S “has begun detailed planning for a new mission to send American troops and intelligence officers into Mexico to target drug cartels,” NBC News reported Monday morning. That possibility and how it could happen were subjects we examined in great detail back in February, which you can read about here.
While no deployments are imminent, training for such a mission is already underway, the network added.
“The U.S. troops, many of whom would be from Joint Special Operations Command, would operate under the authority of the U.S. intelligence community, known as Title 50 status,” NBC posited, citing two anonymous U.S. officials. ”They said officers from the CIA also would participate.”
These operations would have U.S. troops in Mexico “mainly use drone strikes to hit drug labs and cartel members and leaders,” the report continued. “Some of the drones that special forces would use require operators to be on the ground to use them effectively and safely, the officials said.”
As we have previously wrote, such an operation would be precedent-setting. While U.S. troops like Green Berets from the 7th Special Forces Group routinely work with Mexican forces, training them to hit cartels and serving as observers on raids, there has yet to be a known U.S. military kinetic action inside Mexico.
The most famous example of a covert strike using U.S. troops under Title 50 authority was the 2011 Navy SEAL attack on al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden, but what NBC is describing is a much more sustained operation with increased risks, a former White House official under the first Trump administration told us.
“This seems like more of a campaign,” Javed Ali, who worked in the National Security Council’s (NSC) counterterrorism unit during the first Trump administration, explained. “What the administration is trying to achieve under Title 50 is ostensibly to use military force, but covertly. But in this day of social media, it is harder to not have that revealed. They lose the element of surprise.”
Ali raised an additional concern. Would the cartels, who already have operatives in the United States, strike back if they were attacked in Mexico?
“The enemy gets a vote,” Ali suggested. “Would the cartels be so bold to actually conduct attacks inside the United States is an open question. If a cartel lab gets blown up or cartel leaders are killed in drone strikes, how would they respond? Inside the government, I would have to think they are looking at all those contingencies.”
Still, even with these risks, it seems clear the Trump is willing to go further than his predecessors in hopes of significantly reducing the flow of narcotics into the United States. Public support for such actions will likely be dictated by losses of American troops — if any — in the process, should such operations move forward. It’s also not clear where the Mexican government stands on this issue at this time.
It is unknown exactly what the Trump administration will do when it comes to countering cartels and taking on Maduro. However, while U.S. strikes against the Venezuelan cartels have been limited to attacks on alleged drug-smuggling boats, the possibility exists that America could soon find itself conducting kinetic strikes on two fronts in its own backyard.
Update: 5:03 PM Eastern –
The Navy provided us with some context about why the Fort Lauderdale was in Mayport.
“The USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) returned to Naval Station Mayport from Oct. 24 to Nov. 2, 2025, for a mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR) and maintenance period. NS Mayport’s facilities offered the most expedient option with the best infrastructure, maintenance, repair, and logistical support for the maintenance period.
A Mid-Deployment voyage repair (MDVR) is a period, roughly halfway through a ship’s deployment, where necessary and preventative maintenance and repairs are made. This MDVR allowed Fort Lauderdale to conduct vital maintenance to the ship with the support of in-port services.
In-port maintenance and logistical support enable the ship to correct and maintain materiel readiness, warfighter readiness, and sustainability.”
