Good Bluesky thread on the Maduro proceedings: https://bsky.app/profile/innercitypress.bsky.social/post/3mbow3fvrj22v
#US military activities in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Pacific
glad python
weak ibex
Quite interesting, I actually had not noticed this yet (from this live ticker: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/livestory/maduro-venezuela-court-appearance-9.7033450)
Fentanyl was declared as a weapon of mass destruction and was used as justification for the strikes on the boats. However, it is not part of the current indictment against Maduro (which focuses on cocaine)
coarse goblet
War is peace.
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mboif45d6x2o
karmic gulch
The Venezuelan Journalists’ Union denounces the detention of seven journalists https://x.com/sntpvenezuela/status/2008249806745899325?s=20
weak ibex
Delcy Rodriguez is now formally sworn in as interim president by the way
sacred lantern
novel tundra
belatedly sharing our quick first draft on the raid published over the weekend; shout out to @opal dragon for his always reliable and fast geolocations, which helped us zero in on a particular part of Fort Tiuna https://wapo.st/4pt7MBl
if anyone has been continuing to look at the targets struck during the raid, feel free to shout
true ingot
Blackouts and network failures: diagnosis of telecommunications in Venezuela following the U.S. military offensive. https://dplnews.com/apagones-y-fallas-de-red-diagnostico-telecomunicaciones-en-venezuela-tras-ofensiva-militar-ee-uu/
midnight dirge
TWZ collection of videos they assess as strong evidence LUCAS drones were used during the raid to capture Maduro
Bystanders on the ground in Venezuela captured various videos of the U.S. assault on Saturday, which was officially dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve. In multiple clips, as seen in the social media post below, distinctly terrorizing high-pitched buzzing can be clearly heard, which are then followed immediately by explosions and/or other visual or auditory signs of munitions impacting the ground, all consistent with the use of one-way attack drones.
ruby heart
Blackouts and network failures: diagnosis of telecommunications in Venezuela fol...
Quote from the article (machine translated)
In this context, Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite network, announced the provision of free connectivity for Venezuelans until February 3, as it did with Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2022.
olive needle
sacred lantern
X
Not seeing anything on local media yet
The volume does seem unusual, but when I first heard about this I thought it might be a police operation/gang fight
X
sacred lantern
I think thats the Regiment Honour Guard building
one block away from Miraflores
42
10.509, -66.920
karmic gulch
Instagram
calm saddle
In Maduro, Trump had a soft target. Maduro is loathed by most Venezuelans. He is, of course, detested by Latin America’s political right and center. In a poll published in early November, 53 percent of people across Latin America supported a U.S. military intervention to depose Maduro. He is even viewed as a burden by most on the region’s left, some of whom will have been quietly relieved to let the United States do the dirty work of removing him. When the news broke on Saturday, I was in Santiago, Chile. A large Venezuelan diaspora resides here, and the morning was full of celebration. Down the city’s main avenue, people honked horns. They gathered in cafes to cheer Maduro’s downfall, as Venezuelans did elsewhere in the many places where his rule disrupted lives and sundered families. (Roughly 8 million Venezuelans—about a fourth of the population of the country—have emigrated in recent years.) He stole the elections in 2024 through brazen fraud and has repressed and intimidated the opposition.
The celebrations may not last for long. Maduro and Trump share the same stance on elections: they are to be recognized if and only if they produce the result that the leader desires. Trump seems to think he will be able to rule by threat and by proxy.
https://dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/the-trump-doctrine/
(archived https://archive.ph/aXvsK)
karmic gulch
Other views https://t.me/venezuelast/111359
hoary laurel
Unfortunately I don't speak Spanish to understand
https://bskye.app/profile/azintel.bsky.social/post/3mbpq74lu5s2j
tawdry nimbus
X
karmic gulch
Unfortunately I don't speak Spanish to understand
https://bskye.app/profile/azin...
“Get down on the ground.” They ordered this person to get down on the ground. The person says that he lives there, according to the person who is recording. What a scare, said the woman
sacred lantern
El Nacional reporting that "sources with knowledge of the event" say that the shooting was caused by "confusion among security forces" who mistook their own drones, which were flying over Miraflores, for hostile aircraft.
Seeing fewer videos now, also videos not showing gunfire
So whatever happened seems to be over
steady elk
BLKCAT6 heading down for a snoop
opal dragon
@sacred lantern do you have the location of this one yet? https://bsky.app/profile/giancarlofiorella.bsky.social/post/3mbpppnicyk2m
sacred lantern
no I dont
I think thats the Presidential Honour Guard building on the left (the long one)
so I think here, looking due east
10.50750, -66.9251
opal dragon
okay yep that's as far as I've gotten too
sacred lantern
alright that scared the heck out of me, I've earned a pizza slice, will come back in a bit. Seems to be over for now
midnight dirge
Noteworthy audio from an attack on the naval station in Catia la Mar (original video @bompart2025 on threads
From Yaser Trujillo (@trujillocorreo on X)
Por cierto las dos primeras explosiones parecen ser misiles crucero y no drones OWA
(The first two explosions are cruise missiles and not one way attack drones)
at 0:34, following the first two explosions, multiple different incoming sounds can be heard followed by explosions.
sacred lantern
opal dragon
Alright this is just for bellingcat because I went a little always sunny red string gif on this one. Not sure if this guy is trying to cut off the electricity like the post says or not but he's at about 10.49025, -66.91867.
Video: https://x.com/MariaAlesiaSosa/status/2008342855266312268
Proof:
X
midnight dirge
Alright this is just for bellingcat because I went a little always sunny red str...
Thanks John! I hadn't come across your work before. I mentioned to one of my collaborators on Saturday (after entering your geolocations into my spreadsheet multiple times): "Who is this John guy and how does he work so fast?"
midnight dirge
Ian Ellis's post raid infographic:
SOUTHCOM force posture following joint operation Absolute Resolve:
• 150+ aircraft from 20 bases participated
• Ground force of ~200 U.S. personnel "went downtown in Caracas"
• Unprecedented employment of OWA drones and layered CYBERCOM + SPACECOM effectsThe final update?
sand leaf
Good detailed article about the MH-60 DAP helicopters that provided some fire support for the raid. Article also mentions some systems the helicopters have to defend against MANPADs/air defense missiles
https://www.twz.com/air/this-is-what-the-night-stalkers-mh-60m-direct-action-penetrator-brought-to-the-venezuelan-op
opal dragon
Thanks John! I hadn't come across your work before. I mentioned to one of my col...
lol thanks. I've been on a hiatus for a few years (jeez the time flies) but I'm trying to get back into doing more regular geolocations
steady elk
lol thanks. I've been on a hiatus for a few years (jeez the time flies) but I'm ...
Nice to see you back John 🤜 🤛
opal dragon
Nice to see you back John 🤜 🤛
nice to be back! 🙂
silk tree
hoary laurel
naive dew
https://sgcarney.substack.com/p/the-russian-plan-to-trade-venezuela
The Russian Plan to Trade Venezuela for Ukraine
document referenced: https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/08/trump-impeachment-fiona-hill-testimony-released-067711
The transcript breaks down exactly what they were negotiating for.
“We were having a standoff over Venezuela. And the Russians at this particular juncture were signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap arrangement between Venezuela and Ukraine. In other words, if we were going to exert some semblance of the Monroe Doctrine of, you know, keeping Russia out of our backyard, because this is after the Russians had sent in these hundred operatives essentially to, you know, basically secure the Venezuelan Government and, you know, to preempt that they were obviously taking to some kind of US military action. They were basically signallying that you have your Monroe Doctrine. You want us out of your backyard. We have our own version of this. You’re in our backyard in Ukraine.
Her mention of the Monroe Doctrine is particularly relevant because that’s exactly what Trump mentioned in his press conference the day after he arrested Maduro.
ionic egret
Monday
At least 14 members of the press were detained in Venezuela on Monday as they were covering the aftermath of the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by US forces.
The union representing media workers in Venezuela said all but one of those detained were employed by foreign news organisations and were released later on Monday, with one reporter deported.
.....
The repression has not been confined to media workers.
One community leader in the neighbourhood of Petare, in Caracas, told BBC Mundo that there were "hooded men with guns patrolling, checking people's WhatsApp statuses".
Caracas resident José, 60, said that people were not able to talk freely about what was happening, with a heavy police and military presence on the streets, as well as pro-Maduro armed groups, known as "colectivos", wearing masks.
sacred lantern
midnight dirge
https://bsky.app/profile/craigipedia.bsky.social/post/3mbs6semnhk2u
Craig may be misrepresenting the source text.
For comparison:
Original Truth Social Post: ||https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115850817778602689||
ABC Exclusive (6 January): "Trump demands Venezuela kick out China and Russia, partner only with US on oil: EXCLUSIVE"
The Trump administration has told Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez that the regime must meet the White House's demands before being allowed to pump more oil, according to three people familiar with the administration's plan.
First, the country must kick out China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties, the sources said. Second, Venezuela must agree to partner exclusively with the U.S. on oil production and favor America when selling heavy crude oil, they added.
trail prawn
minor sluice
Does this belong here or somewhere else?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/07/caracas-venezuela-paramilitary-groups
midnight dirge
Does this belong here or somewhere else?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/...
This space works: any militias, paramilitary groups, or other forms of armed resistance will be an issue for the US military until the situation stabilizes.
sacred lantern
Does this belong here or somewhere else?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/...
I wrote my doctoral dissertation on these groups... the PSUV set them up starting in ~2002 after the coup that year to be the vanguard of the revolution and play precisely this role
hasty bloom
https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131?
Seen some reports that this is Bella 1, but nothing concrete yet
Edit: Yep, it’s the tanker Marinera, formerly Bella 1
weak ibex
(for those interested, there is some discussion about this over in #maritime right now)
#maritime message
midnight dirge
A separate tanker has been boarded in the Caribbean by US Southcom
karmic gulch
The governor of La Guaira records a video at a port facility located on Avenida Soublette, in the Vargas municipality of La Guaira state. He shows the damage allegedly caused by missiles, with a clear intention to suggest that the United States “caused damage to medicines and food.” However, at minute 1:13, it can be observed that in this area supposedly used for “medicines and food” there appears to have been a military vehicle. I am not very familiar with this type of vehicle, but its remains can be seen there. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTMHlTqALEC/?igsh=d3p4ZGN0b2NvYXZh
Instagram
Minute 1:13
placid orchid
karmic gulch
It clearly initiates an information operation aimed at portraying “damage to medicine and food” caused by the attack. https://x.com/camilapress/status/2008773437041385589?s=20
X
midnight dirge
The apartment building Soublette where a civillian was confirmed killed was about 500 meters from BUK storage
placid orchid
The apartment building Soublette where a civillian was confirmed killed was abou...
And if there was live missiles stored there they could probably fly 500 meters if they are ignited when hit.
But i dare to say that it is a BUK-M2E shown in the clip above
Maybe even 2.
placid orchid
weak ibex
Could this also be a S-125 Pechora-2M? Looks to me like it has only two windows
midnight dirge
The apartment building Soublette where a civillian was confirmed killed was abou...
My apologies, the civilian death was at Catia La Mar, on the other side of the airport, on calle Soublette.
@karmic gulch does he mention Avenida Soublette in the video or was that geolocated?
weak ibex
Could this also be a S-125 Pechora-2M? Looks to me like it has only two windows
although the shape seems to fit less nicely
placid orchid
Clearly 3 windows
weak ibex
ahh sorry yes, mb. Only saw the first screenshot and it confused me
karmic gulch
My apologies, the civilian death was at Catia La Mar, on the other side of the a...
The governor mentions that at the beginning of the video he is walking through what he calls the “Gran Puerto del Litoral Central.” The area contains several facilities, and the exact location shown in the video has not yet been precisely geolocated. One of the addresses associated with the Puerto Internacional de La Guaira is Av. Soublette, Edificio Establecimiento Naval “CN Antonio Picardi,” ground floor, main office, Urb. Maiquetía, Maiquetía, La Guaira state. I will attempt to identify the specific facility shown in the video more precisely. It is all this area.
midnight dirge
The governor mentions that at the beginning of the video he is walking through w...
Awesome, really appreciate that. I heard “Gran Puerto del Litoral Central" but wasn't sure if that necessarily meant La Guaria.
karmic gulch
Awesome, really appreciate that. I heard “Gran Puerto del Litoral Central" but ...
found it. It is in the Alfa 4 zone of the port. According to this official report,
https://mincyt.gob.ve/arriba-a-venezuela-cargamento-con-insumos-para-atender-a-pacientes-con-enfermedad-renal-tras-bombardeo-de-ee-uu/
the explosion occurred in the Alfa 4 sector of the Port of La Guaira. This map shows the different sectors of the port:
https://es.scribd.com/document/602814982/Plano-La-Guaira
The geolocation is 10.600744966842067, -66.93677424713853. Yes, it is close to Avenida Soublette. Where did the fatality occur?
Some other photos https://x.com/Chiqui_new/status/2008883818028302388
X
midnight dirge
found it. It is in the Alfa 4 zone of the port. According to this official repor...
One of the civilian fatalities happened in Catia La Mar ont he other side of the airport
X
Reportedly, a BUK storage was ~500 meters nearby.
placid orchid
Reportedly, a BUK storage was ~500 meters nearby.
2 more also showing secondary explosions https://bsky.app/profile/nordanalytica.bsky.social/post/3mbkkwfqjae2p https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mbiy23rmhc26
midnight dirge
Venezuelan government statement on the destruction of five centers (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Ecology, and Nuclear Technology Unit)) of IVIC (Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas).
A video from the staff claims that one of the two missiles that reportedly struck the site as an AGM-154C-1
(Video appears to be posted originally on Telegram by Gabriela Jiménez Sectoral Vice President and Minister of Popular Power for Science and Technology
X
Buildings mentioned are in the vicinity of: (10.398433130652354, -66.98242049671953)
Google Maps link
placid orchid
My guess is that its the building at 10.397501930317084, -66.98313994575075
midnight dirge
Bellingcat article up: "Inside the Strike: The US Munition That Hit a Residential Building in Venezuela"
versed berry
https://www.wsj.com/world/the-growler-signal-jamming-jet-that-helped-capture-nicolas-maduro-1eba383f
(https://archive.is/UvJr9)
sand leaf
Bellingcat article up: ["Inside the Strike: The US Munition That Hit a Residenti...
A couple sat images of Buk-2ME storage bases that were hit in the article. Looks like at least one Buk-2ME destroyed at Catia La Mar, in addition to the videos showing 3 destroyed launchers.
midnight dirge
A couple sat images of Buk-2ME storage bases that were hit in the article. Looks...
Well done to you and the crew!
sand leaf
Image from Vantor here shows the area right outside the building that Buk-2MEs exit in this video was hit
https://x.com/ConflictsW/status/1978562090731225449?s=20
X
midnight dirge
I'm not sure if I've seen this footage just posted by CNA of a possible BUK missile launch at Catia La Mar.
sand leaf
I'm not sure if I've seen this [footage](https://vxtwitter.com/ConflictsW/status...
Yeah I hadn't seen it before. Shows the missile going out towards the water away from the apartment though
opal dragon
I'm not sure if I've seen this [footage](https://vxtwitter.com/ConflictsW/status...
this hasn't been geolocated I take it?
sand leaf
this hasn't been geolocated I take it?
10.6086114049, -67.0161997895
opal dragon
10.6086114049, -67.0161997895
ah nice
sand leaf
Not sure i've seen a proof/post of it though
ruby heart
Not sure i've seen a proof/post of it though
*Posts proof based on the cracks in that courtyard.*😉
steady elk
calm saddle
https://www.theverge.com/policy/858075/trump-venezuela-maduro-kidnapping-spectacle
(archived https://archive.ph/kBEeV)
midnight dirge
https://www.theverge.com/policy/858075/trump-venezuela-maduro-kidnapping-spectac...
This reads as a highly polemical opinion piece. Is there something in the article that you feel is helpful for research and analysis?
sacred lantern
FWIW I think the piece does a really good job at pointing to an underlying "logic", if we can call it that, in the White House foreign policy decisions especially in relation to Venezuela
calm saddle
same, was interested in what it says about a potential reasoning behind the maduro abduction & the wild talk about other invasions, etc
midnight dirge
Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Prensa de Venezuela (SNTP) update on two journalists (one Mexican, one Colombian) attempting to enter Venezuela today.
DeepL translation
#AHORA | After being detained for 10 hours, journalists Jeff Martínez and Julián Mazoy, foreign correspondents who attempted to enter Venezuela via the border with Cúcuta shortly after midday on January 7, were released and deported.
They were subjected to what they described as “psychological torture,” received threats, and had their work equipment and phones searched and emptied.
vxTwitter / fixvx
calm saddle
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing on Wednesday that Venezuela sanctions will be selectively rolled back in the coming days to allow previously sanctioned oil to be sold. The president announced on Tuesday in a Truth Social post that Venezuela would provide the U.S. with between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said at a Goldman Sachs investor conference in Miami that the U.S. will sell blockaded Venezuelan oil “indefinitely.”
“We’re going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela—first this backed up, stored oil, and then indefinitely, going forward, we will sell the production that comes out of Venezuela into the marketplace,” Wright said at the conference. Trump is scheduled to meet with oil executives from Chevron, Exxon and others at the White House on Friday.
https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/trump-venezuela-oil-us-control-plan-265a39c1
(archived https://archive.ph/LMqWN)
calm saddle
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/americas/2026-01-06/cuba-venezuela-officers-killed-20324108.html
(archived https://archive.ph/XVc77)
-# worth noting how this Stars & Stripes lede and story content compares to some of the news ledes coming out of the NYT & WP
placid orchid
weak ibex
regarding this topic with a bit more detail:
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-senate-vote-reining-trump-venezuela-2026-01-08/
The five Republicans who voted on Thursday to move ahead were Paul, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Todd Young of Indiana. Trump's party holds a 53-47 majority in the Senate."
Paul = Rand Paul, Kentucky Senator
midnight dirge
US maritime strike death toll increases for the 30 December strike following reporting by The Intercept:
The United States killed 11 civilians in boat strikes on December 30 — eight more people than previously reported, according to new figures provided exclusively to The Intercept by Col. Emanuel Ortiz, Southern Command’s chief of public affairs.
US Southern Command's initial disclosure stated that three vessels were traveling in convoy. The first vessel targeted killed 3 persons, and an unspecified number of individuals abandoned ship from the other two vessels. SAR protocols were initiated but suspended after 96 hours without rescue or recovery.
Following The Intercept's reporting, SOUTHCOM has now disclosed there were four persons on each of the other two vessels, and they are presumed dead.
The revised assessment raises the disclosed death toll in the US maritime strikes that began 2 September to 123.
SOUTHCOM's web site has been updated to reflect the revision.
sacred lantern
Crosspost from #maritime
midnight dirge
Southcom post/video of latest boarding (crossposted to #maritime )
sand leaf
Good analysis of the US Venezuela operation from a military/targeting mindset
https://www.csis.org/analysis/imagery-venezuela-shows-surgical-strike-not-shock-and-awe
midnight dirge
Good analysis of the US Venezuela operation from a military/targeting mindset
ht...
Maybe it's my maritime bias, but I continue to be amazed that naval vessels weren't targeted.
I can't help but wonder if the US had assesed that the naval vessels don't present a credible anti-air or anti-ship threat.
sand leaf
I can't help but wonder if the US had assesed that the naval vessels don't prese...
IISS and other sources reported a generally poor state of their Navy before hand.
They also posted this video a couple months back
https://vxtwitter.com/ConflictsW/status/1973017835954987254?s=20
sacred lantern
Yeah the navy doesn't have a good track record the last few years 
A few years back it lost a ship to a cruise liner
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuelan_patrol_boat_Naiguatá
midnight dirge
First Caracas Chronicles political risk report since Maduro's capture by (Caracas Chronicles is a Venezuela-focused analytical blog run by Venezuelan expatriates/diaspora, primarily critical of the Maduro government/Chavismo).
This post may be particularly helpful for those unfamiliar with Venezuelan political context. It gives an overview of major players and a sense of their positions and prospects after Maduro's arrest.
midnight dirge
16 tankers attempted to break the US naval cordon of sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan waters: 3 returned per TankerTrackers, 1 detained (OLINA / MINERVA - IMO: 9282479)), 12 status unknown.
Interestingly, the PDVSA (Venezuelan state oil company) statement indicates the OLINA seizure was coordinated between the US and Venezuelan interim authorities, and that the vessel departed Venezuelan waters without payment for cargo or authorization
Crossposted to #maritime
vxTwitter / fixvx
Instagram
midnight dirge
US Coast Guard post with footage on the seizure of the Motor Tanker OLINA yesterday. For SOUTHCOM's post/footage of the boarding see #1413617230838501458 message posted earlier.
midnight dirge
Covert US Special Ops support vessel, MV Ocean Trader, reportedly spotted today off St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (Source: Facebook Group: St. Croix - Check in)
steady elk
Covert US Special Ops support vessel, MV Ocean Trader, reportedly spotted today...
Hah!...there you go!
calm saddle
hoary laurel
weak ibex
https://ve.usembassy.gov/security-alert-venezuela-january-10-2026-do-not-travel-...
where does this come from? Is this implying another round of escalation?
midnight dirge
where does this come from? Is this implying another round of escalation?
The significance is more from where it's coming out of.
There's been a no travel alert for Venezuela by the US State Department for some time:
May 27, 2025 from US Embassy Bogota
December 3, 2025 - US State Venezuela Travel Advisory
The significant part is who issued the alert: US Embassy Caracas
The US withdraw it's diplomatic personnel in 2019 and suspended operations.
US personnel were in Caracas this week assessing the US embassy for reopening.
weak ibex
but in the text it says "The U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia," ?
midnight dirge
The embassy is in the process of reopening.
Posting on the US Embassy Caracas web page is an indication of the embassy in the process of standing up (but they're not there yet, hence the bit about US Embassy Bogota at the bottom)
It's a bit confusing of a roll out from a messaging stand point, but it is significant.
The safety assessment remains the same (level 4: do not travel)
summer sparrow
Of note, the main page is mostly security alerts:
https://archive.is/TSma7
midnight dirge
Footage of US State personnel returning to US Embassy Caracas by DW Español on 9 Jan
DeepL Machine Translation
A delegation led by the US representative in Colombia, John McNamara, visited Caracas on Friday with the aim of reopening the embassy and reestablishing ties with the interim government.
sand leaf
Widely spread alleged testimony from a Maduro security guard is claiming the US used a sonic weapon during the operation. The symptoms he describes match symptoms of internal blast injuries from explosives though.
Post was shared by White House Press Seceretary and reported on by the New York Post.
https://x.com/i/status/2009843044028428714
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430914/
midnight dirge
NYT "Russia’s Fearsome Arsenal Fizzled in Venezuela. Here’s Why: The Venezuelan regime had high-powered air defense systems from its allies in the Kremlin, but failed to set much of it up." (link)
Archived at (link)
hoary laurel
Webinar happening later this week on Friday (EST)
https://acleddata.com/webinar/webinar-how-us-intervention-venezuela-may-shape-conflict-latin-america-and-caribbean
midnight dirge
High praise by former Bellingcat Christiaan Triebert (now visual investigations at the NYT):
This is the deepest open-source investigative dive I’ve seen so far on the U.S. commando raid in Venezuela, presenting a new and most likely capture location for Maduro: 10.4436, -66.9184.
"The shadow of Operation Absolute Resolve" posted on the website OSINT Me That.
Anyone else familiar with the author MPGeoint (@lolManya on X)?
hoary laurel
rain forge
https://bsky.app/profile/bcfinucane.bsky.social/post/3mcbac4aeas26
https://bsky....
I don't really get this
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first attack on a boat that the Trump administration said was smuggling drugs, killing 11 people last September, according to officials briefed on the matter. The aircraft also carried its munitions inside the fuselage, rather than visibly under its wings, they said.
afaik the only aircraft that would kinda make this viable is a p-8 poseidon (1st pic) which is based off a modified boeing 737-800
the plane they pinpoint is a "standard" bbj/737-700 (2nd pic)
in theory the first plane is able to do this, but the second plane doesn't have the necessary bomb bay for the task
in theory they could've repainted a p8 into a more civilian livery, but such a thing isn't like painting a car, it takes a week or so at best
and even then, to an untrained eye it's near identical anyways
rocky fable
I don't really get this
> The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look l...
I think someone at nyts added that reddit link to the story to give it the appearance of being more robust.
They don't claim that it was the involved aircraft definitively. It's inclusion in the story is odd.
sand leaf
I don't really get this
> The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look l...
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it. WaPo reported that this strike (the same this NYT reporting is about) used a Small Glide Munition, followed by two Griffin Missiles for the second strike/double tap. Both use a Common Launch Tube (CLT) that can be easily installed in the fuselage of a bunch of different aircraft, including in replacement doors. Aircraft don't need a weapons bay specifically to be able to employ these munitions.
https://ndia.dtic.mil/wp-content/uploads/2018/sofic/PEOFWJohnson.pdf
https://fulcrumconceptsllc.com/product/dash-8-clt-door-kit/
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1110901411288621058.html
midnight dirge
The NYT article has a detail that I haven't seen reported elsewhere, and I'm a little confused:
In a boat attack in October, two survivors of an initial strike swam away from the wreckage and so avoided being killed by a follow-up strike on the remnants of their vessel. The military rescued them and returned them to their home countries, Colombia and Ecuador."
The strike referred to occurred on 16 October, as disclosed by the US President on Truth Social ||https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115396632441470075||.
Both survivors of that strike were rescued by the US Navy and repatriated. The Colombian survivor reportedly sustained severe injuries. According to an 18 October video statement by Colombia's Interior Minister, the survivor suffered head injuries and was sedated and placed on a ventilator (link).
How do you swim to safety with a head injury?
lapis pumice
on pure adrenaline?
midnight dirge
More on the injury:
Llegó con traumas en el cerebro, sedado, dopado, respirando con ventilador y fue atendido por las autoridades, pero sobre todo recibido por la Fiscalía”, explicó puntualmente el ministro del Interior, Armando Benedetti.
Google translate
He arrived with brain trauma, sedated, under the influence of drugs, breathing with a ventilator, and was attended to by the authorities, but above all, he was received by the Attorney General's Office," Interior Minister Armando Benedetti explained precisely.
Source: Infobae (link)
Colombian new outlet Aporrea reported:
Obando Pérez está internado en el Hospital de Kennedy, en el suroccidente de Bogotá. Un informe médico al que tuvo acceso este diario detalla que fue ingresado con "una fractura en la base del cráneo y órbita, así como lesiones intracerebrales", pero "sin evidencias de gravedad".
Google Translate
Obando Pérez is hospitalized at Kennedy Hospital in southwestern Bogotá. A medical report accessed by this newspaper details that he was admitted with "a fracture at the base of the skull and orbit, as well as intracerebral lesions," but "without evidence of severity."
Source: Aporrea (link)
If the report of them abandoning ship is accurate, I wonder how long they were in the water before rescue?
runic pond
So, i wanna ask
Has there been any consensus on who the hell is running Venezuela yet?
It was a murky situation last i asked
sacred lantern
Delcy Rodriguez is Acting President and the rest of the PSUV is intact
PSUV says it's talking to the US but the continued assertions from Trump that he's actually the president, etc. don't seem tied to reality
runic pond
PSUV says it's talking to the US but the continued assertions from Trump that he...
Did the usa release anything about pressuring the current Venezuelan government?/anything about how they would actually like, cooprate/try to get in talks with that government?
Talking anyone other than trump here
sacred lantern
Nothing beyond repeated assertions
And the most I've seen the PSUV say is basically "We're engaged in ongoing conversations with Washington about restoring diplomatic and economic ties to the US"
runic pond
So no outline for any sort of plan from congress or anything of that sort?
Atleast yet?
runic pond
No and there won't be one
Well, rubio actually made a claim of what the plan would be
It talks about selling Venezuelan oil, and using that to try to help Venezuela
Rubio said the Trump administration is close to executing a deal to take 30 million to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil and sell it "at market value," using the proceeds to for Venezuela’s transition to a new government.
"That money will then be handled in such a way that we will control how it is disbursed in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people, not corruption, not the regime, so we have a lot of leverage to move on the stabilization front," he said.
sacred lantern
Well, Trump said earlier he was personally going to control the money and that he's in charge of Venezuela now
So the plan is 
runic pond
So the plan is <:YellowShrug:1059372641846300712>
I mean
To me i think we should consider less of what trump is saying
And more so what Rubio is saying, since coercion and trying to rebuild Venezuela sounds a whole lot more plausible, and makes more sense than whatever trump is shouting
ruby heart
To me it seems we should consider what anyone is doing most of all.
Talk is cheap.
runic pond
To me it seems we should consider what anyone is doing most of all.
Talk is chea...
True
Are there any satellite images/tracking tools to tell us where the tankers that the usa seized are?
Could be valuable information if they were actually planning on selling it
Basically cross referencing both what rubio has said and what is actually happening to see how plausible his claim actually is
sacred lantern
Part of the context here is that the PSUV began to be ostracized by the international community starting in about 2014. That's when the US, the EU and other countries started sanctioning trade, industry, and govt officials
When Maduro was kidnapped, what I think most Venezuelans hoped for was the end of the PSUV and the return of democratic governance.
But what seems to be happening is that the PSUV will remain in power propped up by Trump in what's essentially a racket, there'll be a rapprochement with the US and the EU, and whether or not there's a transition to democracy as part of that is TBD
runic pond
Part of the context here is that the PSUV began to be ostracized by the internat...
What are the major sources/facts that lead to this conclusion?
Btw what you said makes sense given what i know so far but i wanna have as clear of a picture as can be, since maybe i am missing a key fact that i have not spotted/come across
(Sorry if my questions are bad/useless)
sacred lantern
Well, for starters, I'm skeptical that Trump of all people is going to be in charge of transitioning Venezuela to democracy when he is personally overseeing the most drastic and violent democratic backsliding in the history of the United States
In fact what he's asserted time and again is the exact opposite of that: that he's running the country, that if Venezuela doesn't do what he says he'll bomb them again, etc.
midnight dirge
True
Are there any satellite images/tracking tools to tell us where the tankers...
This has regularly mentioned in thread. TankerTrackers and the NYT's Christiaan Triebert have extensive coverage of the fleeing and seized tankers.
For example, the first seized tanker SKIPPER was taken to Galveston for offloading per a 21 Dec TankerTracker post
manic roost
I think someone at nyts added that reddit link to the story to give it the appea...
I agree re: the 737.
The more interesting part of the article is that the plane’s transponder was broadcasting its tail number, so it might show up in flight tracking data. https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?replay=2025-09-02-03:24&lat=11.814&lon=-62.052&zoom=7.6
rain forge
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it. WaPo reported that this strike (the same t...
What I find weird is that something like a P8 would be able to deploy these pretty easily
A “standard” 737 would be near impossible, a bomb bay is a major structural modification that has to be done at the factory
And in the text they claim that it carried munitions internally
sand leaf
What I find weird is that something like a P8 would be able to deploy these pret...
Yeah, I'm very keen to see more reporting on this, and what another outlet reports, but CLT's being carried through any of the modifications I posted (or similar) would be technically carried "internally". The Dash 8 modification is a replacement door for CLT use.
karmic gulch
Gustavo Petro claims that a missile fell near Colombia in an area inhabited by the Wayuu community, an Indigenous people who share binational territory. He provides no evidence to support this claim. He made the statement in a strange post on X, in which he also apologizes for having accused the company that burned on December 24 of engaging in illegal activity, even though it is still unknown why the fire occurred. https://x.com/petrogustavo/status/2010908466206933296?s=46
X
midnight dirge
Gustavo Petro claims that a missile fell near Colombia in an area inhabited by t...
Regarding the Wayuu community incident he refers to, I wonder if Petro is talking about a strike on the same day as the Primazol fire, or the possible Hellfire/JAGM strike on 18 December?
NBC News, "Eyewitnesses describe mysterious explosion in northwest Venezuela," 30 December, 2025 (link)
Two members of Venezuela’s Wayuu indigenous community in the area told NBC News that they witnessed an unexplained explosion on Dec. 18 that destroyed a hut that possibly was used for storage.
51 Miami, "'Tenemos miedo': miembros de comunidad indígena denuncian "gran explosión" en Venezuela" 30 December, 2025 (link)
Dos miembros de la comunidad indígena Wayuu dicen haber presenciado una inexplicable explosión el pasado 18 de diciembre en la región desértica del noroeste de Venezuela, conocida como “Alta Guajira”,
La región, reportó NBC News, es fuertemente controlada por el Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), un grupo conocido por el narcotráfico.
Según contaron los dos testigos, el siniestro destruyó una choza.
karmic gulch
Regarding the Wayuu community incident he refers to, I wonder if Petro is talkin...
Now I understand. He is referring to this situation. The new element here would be the direct request he makes to the Wayuu community for more information. It is still strange, nonetheless.
hoary laurel
https://theintercept.com/2026/01/13/civilian-harm-venezuela-airwars-southcom/
Two government officials told The Intercept that personnel devoted to civilian harm tracking and mitigation at SOUTHCOM had been whittled down from four staff to one contractor.
sand leaf
Washington Post confirming the NYT reporting on the civillan paint scheme of the aircraft used in the first attack. They also specify launch tubes were used.
"Instead, the munitions were fired from a launch tube that allows them to be carried inside the plane, not mounted outside on the wing."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/01/12/boat-strike-civilian-plane/
minor sluice
Washington Post confirming the NYT reporting on the civillan paint scheme of the...
Isn't that putting civilian aviation at risk? Is that even legal?
I am honestly asking (I don't know the laws) and I am not versed in aviation of any kind.
summer sparrow
Isn't that putting civilian aviation at risk? Is that even legal?
I am honestly ...
It would appear to be illegal:
#1413617230838501458 message
minor sluice
It would appear to be illegal:
https://discord.com/channels/709752884257882135/1...
thank you!
I read the title before but did not know what perfidy was and did not have time to check.
summer sparrow
In case others are curious, perfidy is a form of deceit in warfare that attempts to hide viable combatants from scrutiny by the opposing side. Common examples are Homer's Trojan Horse or the meme "call an ambulance, but not for me".
cinder stone
WSJ now also, “the highly classified aircraft, a special operations platform that looks like a civilian aircraft but launches missiles”: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/pentagon-defends-use-of-aircraft-painted-in-civilian-colors-for-boat-strike-aa08ad58?mod=hp_lead_pos10
midnight dirge
WSJ now also, “the highly classified aircraft, a special operations platform tha...
Attention on deck! 
Bravo zulu on your Venezuela and runaway tanker coverage!
sand leaf
Article from The War Zone looking into a bunch of different systems that are publicly known that can deploy CLTs
https://www.twz.com/air/lets-talk-about-the-civilian-style-plane-used-to-strike-a-drug-boat
hoary laurel
https://bsky.app/profile/bcfinucane.bsky.social/post/3mcdvz7m4jc2a
https://bsky.app/profile/bcfinucane.bsky.social/post/3mcdwcwjt5c2a
Currently reading the report and some of the details seem eye-opening even though I'm not a lawyer
MEMORANDUM FOR LEGAL ADVISOR,
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
(U) Re: Proposed War Department Operation to Support Law
Enforcement Efforts in Venezuela: https://www.justice.gov/olc/media/1423306/dl?inline
OLC opinion in general: https://www.pogo.org/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-office-of-legal-counsel-transparency
hoary laurel
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/01/13/venezuela-maduro-trump-legal-memo/
archived: https://archive.ph/Ku5Ss
hoary laurel
Happening now
https://bsky.app/profile/adamisacson.com/post/3mcf6fesucs2w
https://www.youtube.com/live/Qksz-EgUtSk?si=jWIwBde-K0hvP49A
Democratic Members on the House Foreign Affairs Committee
Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks
Witnesses:
The Honorable Thomas Shannon
Former Acting Secretary of State, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere AffairsThe Honorable Frank Mora
Former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere AffairsMr. Brian Finucane
Senior Adviser, U.S. Program at the International Crisis Group
Former Attorney Adviser in the Office of the State Department Legal Adviser
Bluesky
midnight dirge
Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer and Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser in one shot! (@MichaelBonet8 on X)
X
midnight dirge
US Senate: War powers resolution to block further military action in Venezuela dismissed; Vice President JD Vance broke the tie.
Republican Senators Todd Young and Josh Hawley reversed their earlier support in favor of the resolution after pressure from the White House.
Source: Reuters
Crossposted to #usa-canada
midnight dirge
Breaking: US reportedly seizes a 6th oil tanker (link)
Crossposted to #maritime
vxTwitter / fixvx
Confirmed by US Southern Command post on X
trail prawn
Trump to use contractors rather than troops in Ven. / paywall https://www.threads.com/@cnn/post/DThvY8xAAgj
midnight dirge
Dan Goodin, Ars Technica's security editor, raises some questions about NYT's article "Cyberattack in Venezuela Demonstrated Precision of U.S. Capabilities" published today.
Source: "Why I’m withholding certainty that “precise” US cyber-op disrupted Venezuelan electricity"
Goodin's skepticism is reinforced by Venezuelan reports of missile strikes on substations with video of physical damage, which the NYT article doesn't mention.
The different outage durations in the NYT's own reporting (brief citywide versus 36 hours near Fuerte Tiuna) suggest possible combined cyber + kinetic operations impacting the power grid.
The NYT report, drawing from statements of named and unamed US government officials, doesn't offer much on how the claimed precise cyber operation impacted the air defense network:
The U.S. military also used cyberweapons to interfere with air defense radar, according to people briefed on the matter, who discussed sensitive details of the operation on the condition of anonymity. (Venezuela’s most powerful radar was not functional, however.) [emphais added]
hoary laurel
cross-post with #usa-canada
https://bsky.app/profile/adamisacson.com/post/3mckosc2tbs2c
midnight dirge
U.S. issues seven coordinated NOTAMs covering the entire Eastern Pacific from Mexico to Ecuador, advising U.S. operators to exercise caution due to military activities and GNSS interference. All effective January 16 through March 17, 2026 (60 days)
Source: FNS NOTAM Search
midnight dirge
Reuter's exclusive:: US has been in contact with Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello since early last year and warned him against using the security services he oversees against government opposition.
midnight dirge
Dan Goodin, Ars Technica's security editor, raises some questions about NYT's ar...
Additional questions raised about the 15 January New York Times Article "Cyberattack in Venezuela Demonstrated Precision of U.S. Capabilities".
The thread author is a dev ops/system engineer whose work includes research in internet censorship in Venezuela. After reviewing the internet connectivity and traffic volume during the raid, they offer the following conclusion:
The data suggests that the internet connectivity remained stable in most areas of the capital, but several neighborhoods near the affected targets got disconnected.
This aligns with power outage reports in the west and south-west parts of Caracas, as well as video evidence.
It was later confirmed that the attacks hit at least two electrical substations, one of them located in Fuerte Tiuna, where Maduro was captured.
Nearby neighborhoods such as Coche, El Valle, Los Rosales, Santa Mónica, among others were affected by this.
**Affirming that a U.S. cyberattack caused a large scale power outage in Caracas on Jan 3, while not even mentioning the intentional bombing of power infrastructure, is misleading.
The NYT article is speculative and doesn't provide any technical evidence.** [emphasis added]
midnight dirge
Tanker Tracker approved spot by 🇵🇷 ship spotter @MichaelBonet8 / X of M SOPHIA (9289477) and the VERONICA (9256860) off the coast of Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Both vessels were recently seized by the US military for violating the United States' de facto blockade of unauthorized tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan territorial waters.
Coordinates from TankerTrackers: 17.88406, -66.56841
@tom_bilke / X assisted with verifiying the ID of the vessels. Fantastic open source collaboration!
Crossposted to #maritime
midnight dirge
https://www.threads.com/@theunionherald/post/DTv1HLWCfLE
US Southern Command Press Release on the seizure of SAGITTA (IMO: 9296822)
January 2025 OFAC press release on sanctions designation.
midnight dirge
USS Gerald R. Ford is making a port call in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The carrier is expected to remain in port till 26 January.
Great example of how cruise ship passengers are a valuable resource for maritime osint.
Amazing overflight video was shared on FB by The Virgin Islands Consortium yesterday as well as even more amazing footage from a passing vessel.
safe aspen
It's been a few weeks but we reconstructed the raid to capture Maduro here: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/americas/venezuela-maduro-fort-tiuna-compound-operation-reconstruction-intl-invs
Among other things: we geolocated a video he posted to a garden within his compound
hoary laurel
trail prawn
midnight dirge
https://vxtwitter.com/Southcom/status/2014825085425877224?s=20
The US Coast Guard suspended the search for the survivor of the 23 January strike without rescue or recovery.
Source: USCG South West 25 January X Post
vxTwitter / fixvx
hoary laurel
Date: Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
Time: 10:00am (EST)
U.S. POLICY TOWARDS VENEZUELA
Description: Rubio giving testimony to Senate about Trump Admin's policy towards Venezuela post Maduro
Live streaming video: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/us-policy-towards-venezuela
From AP: https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-trump-rubio-congress-maduro-rodriguez-e157b5d08a39047df4ac46764900ae77
hoary laurel
Date: Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
Time: 10:00am (EST)
U.S. POLICY TOWARDS VENE...
starting now for anyone curious and has time
hoary laurel
starting now for anyone curious and has time
Interesting map visual from Senator Shaheen
White represents countries where there are no U.S. ambassadors
Red represents countries where there are U.S. ambassadors
hoary laurel
Interesting map visual from Senator Shaheen
White represents countries where th...
someone (a protester most likely) interrupting Rubio before speaking
hoary laurel
someone (a protester most likely) interrupting Rubio before speaking
Interesting... Rubio laid out three objectives (haven't heard the third)
1). Create Stability
- to do that, have direct convo with people controlling the nation
- sanctions on oil
- Deposit funds where Trump admin has oversight
- Venzuela govt submits monthly budget to Trump admin to request what they need such as infra, civil society related, and etc. (emphasized this being short-term mechanism)
hoary laurel
Interesting... Rubio laid out three objectives (haven't heard the third)
1). Cre...
- Recovery
- Eventually tranistion to normal oil industry
- Venezuela created a new hydrocarbon law (need to look back into it about details)
- Create space for opposition political parties to have voice heard - part of releasing political prisoners
- ???
hoary laurel
2) Recovery
- Eventually tranistion to normal oil industry
- Venezuela created a...
Rubio expects a U.S. diplomat office to be established soon to have real-time info
hoary laurel
Rubio expects a U.S. diplomat office to be established soon to have real-time in...
Regarding with Senator Shaheen's concern about making sure money doesn't go to drug runners/criminals, Rubio mentions there will be an auditing process set up soon. He mentioned maybe XM Bank might help? Rubio promises to report back to Senate once the auditing process is set up
hoary laurel
Regarding with Senator Shaheen's concern about making sure money doesn't go to d...
Third objective is apparently called transition according to Senator Ricketts
hoary laurel
Third objective is apparently called transition according to Senator Ricketts
Rubio mentions that he doesn't expect U.S. to spend money on transition in Venezuela
hoary laurel
Rubio mentions that he doesn't expect U.S. to spend money on transition in Venez...
Sen Coons emphasizes the purpose of this hearing is an oversight hearing and that Congress needs to be consulted before doing anything such as Absolute Resolve
hoary laurel
Sen Coons emphasizes the purpose of this hearing is an oversight hearing and tha...
Rubio explains his reasoning why White House didn't consult with Congress on Absolute Resolve, saying that White House didn't know this raid was a possibility until late in December
hoary laurel
Rubio explains his reasoning why White House didn't consult with Congress on Abs...
This senator is asking how to make sure Venezuela isn't influenced by foreign terrorists/bad actors and Rubio mentions examples such as hydrocarbon law reforms that passed because of post Maduro. Not sure if Rubio directly answered the question
hoary laurel
This senator is asking how to make sure Venezuela isn't influenced by foreign te...
Senator re-asks how to make Venezuela stable for foreign investors to be confident in investing in country. Rubio rambles on
hoary laurel
Senator re-asks how to make Venezuela stable for foreign investors to be confide...
Senator Murphy raises doubt about transition in Venezuela and asks three questions
- Will you make the selection process for bidding licenses to open and fair? using the two companies as example with one company being a big time Trump donor
- What will success or failure look like if Rodriguez is still in office six months from now?
- Asks about using force again using an example where if Venezuela decides to keep oil for itself and doesn't comply with U.S. requests
hoary laurel
Senator Murphy raises doubt about transition in Venezuela and asks three questio...
Nothing really stands out for me personally about Rubio's "answers" to questions
hoary laurel
Nothing really stands out for me personally about Rubio's "answers" to questions
To respond to Senator Barraso's question about China's access to Venezuela oil, Rubio emphasizes this is a quarantine, not blockade
hoary laurel
To respond to Senator Barraso's question about China's access to Venezuela oil, ...
Barraso mentions about his law regarding subsea cables and Rubio mentions undersea cables/critical minerals are something he and White House are prioritizing and will bring up in G7
hoary laurel
Barraso mentions about his law regarding subsea cables and Rubio mentions unders...
Senator Kaine emphasizes that he can't share info about boat strikes publicly because it's labeled as classified and because of information sharing being siloed. He encourages his colleagues to review the reasoning that White House gave to strike boats since again, he can't provide info publicly
hoary laurel
Senator Kaine emphasizes that he can't share info about boat strikes publicly be...
Kaine mentions that the Nobel Peace Prize winner was disappointed with Trump's comments earlier that she's not the person for Venezuela in one on one convo. Rubio contradicts that she's in great dialogue with Trump/White House
hoary laurel
Kaine mentions that the Nobel Peace Prize winner was disappointed with Trump's c...
Senator Paul asks if the taking of Maduro an act of war and Rubio says no it's not basically.
hoary laurel
Senator Paul asks if the taking of Maduro an act of war and Rubio says no it's n...
Paul brings up OLC couple weeks back on the reasoning why White House believes that was not a constitutional war - no clear answers and emphasizes the need to have clear definition of war
hoary laurel
Paul brings up OLC couple weeks back on the reasoning why White House believes t...
Merkley wants the reasons for raiding made available public and thinks the reasoning would be embarrassing
hoary laurel
Merkley wants the reasons for raiding made available public and thinks the reaso...
Merkley asks about concerns on subsidized oil, transparency concern around 300 million dollar fund distributed, and plans for Cuba
hoary laurel
Merkley asks about concerns on subsidized oil, transparency concern around 300 m...
Marco reemphasizes the current plan is temporary and not permanent regarding the 300 million dollar distribution - brings up the auditing process again which hasn't been set up yet
summer sparrow
For those of you just joining us, this is live coverage of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee testimony of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The hearing started at 10am EST and can be viewed here:
https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/us-policy-towards-venezuela
hoary laurel
Marco reemphasizes the current plan is temporary and not permanent regarding the...
Sen Curtis asks what does progress look like. Marco brings up the dysfunction of Cuba's government and emphasizes that Ven. govt needs to step to have a stable and sustainable country as well as ensuring other political parties have their voice heard. Marco again emphasizes the goal for Venezeula is for legit democractic elections
hoary laurel
Sen Curtis asks what does progress look like. Marco brings up the dysfunction of...
Marco emphasizes Friday will mark the four week since Maduro and emphasizes this whole transition will take time
hoary laurel
Marco emphasizes Friday will mark the four week since Maduro and emphasizes this...
Sen Booker emphasizes this is not acceptable for Congress to take this long to have this oversight hearing - $100 million of dollars are being spent on Carribean on monthly basis
hoary laurel
Sen Booker emphasizes this is not acceptable for Congress to take this long to h...
Booker brings up the recent state embassy's warning about advising U.S. not to travel to Venezuela and brings up human rights issues that are happening currently in the country. He wants to know what is the plan to address human rights violations and stop armed militias.
hoary laurel
Booker brings up the recent state embassy's warning about advising U.S. not to t...
Marco responds to embassy's warning by saying that there is a duty to warn people. Brings up names of different armed groups. Booker chimes in saying he hears outrage from his community about human rights hypocrisy. Why lift temporary status, asks Booker.
hoary laurel
Marco responds to embassy's warning by saying that there is a duty to warn peopl...
Booker brings up contradiction and hypocrisy in Trump's policy where refugees are being deported to countries where they escaped from and his White House talking about human rights in countries like Venezuela
hoary laurel
Booker brings up contradiction and hypocrisy in Trump's policy where refugees ar...
Sen Cornyn asks about the shadow fleets and their role in funding international conflicts around the world. Wants Rubio to help Congress understand that better and how Ven. law enforcement to deal with shadow fleets
hoary laurel
Sen Cornyn asks about the shadow fleets and their role in funding international ...
Marco goes on explaining about the ghost fleets and Trump admin seizing illegal oil and ultimately bringing that money to Venezuela people
hoary laurel
Marco goes on explaining about the ghost fleets and Trump admin seizing illegal ...
Cornyn switch topics to Iran and asks about Trump's recent threat to Iran in light of Iranian protesters killed. What happens if the Supreme leader is removed and what happens next?
hoary laurel
Cornyn switch topics to Iran and asks about Trump's recent threat to Iran in lig...
Rubio has vague answer for this. Pivoting talk to U.S. presence in the region, Rubio explains why U.S. needs to have a lot of troop presence to prevent Cornyn's earlier concern and question from happening
hoary laurel
Rubio has vague answer for this. Pivoting talk to U.S. presence in the region, R...
Sen Duckworth asks Rubio to have Trump rescind statement about invoking wartime Aliens Enemies Act. She asks Rubio if U.S. is in war with Venezuela and Rubio says no.
hoary laurel
Sen Duckworth asks Rubio to have Trump rescind statement about invoking wartime ...
Both are in heated argument about wartime act - still at it
hoary laurel
Both are in heated argument about wartime act - still at it
Sen Lee asks about what does the burden sharing looks in the Western Hemisphere
hoary laurel
Sen Lee asks about what does the burden sharing looks in the Western Hemisphere
Rubio brings up the recent examples of SOUTHCOM taking a more active role in dealing with transnational crime. Emphasizes Ecuador and other countries that are now stepping up to deal with that. Rubio emphasizes we're not abandoning NATO
hoary laurel
Rubio brings up the recent examples of SOUTHCOM taking a more active role in dea...
Sen Lee asks about China and narco trafficking connection. Rubio explains the connection such as Huawei being set up.
hoary laurel
Sen Lee asks about China and narco trafficking connection. Rubio explains the co...
Sen Schatz asks what's the statutory law that allows Qatar to hold fund
hoary laurel
Sen Schatz asks what's the statutory law that allows Qatar to hold fund
Schatz re-rephrases question after Rubio's response
hoary laurel
Schatz re-rephrases question after Rubio's response
Rubio says yes to that we have a law and mentions Treasury can provide relevant info
hoary laurel
Rubio says yes to that we have a law and mentions Treasury can provide relevant ...
Schatz asks Rubio to commit publicly that U.S. is not going to do a regime change in Cuba - Rubio doesn't really answer directly but mentions they would like to see a regime change but doesn't specify if U.S. will take an active part
hoary laurel
Schatz asks Rubio to commit publicly that U.S. is not going to do a regime chang...
Sen Curtis is kissing up to Rubio and Trump
hoary laurel
Sen Curtis is kissing up to Rubio and Trump
Sen Curtis asks if it will be alright if Western Hemisphere doesn't get the briefing on Venzeule and drug boat operations
hoary laurel
Sen Curtis asks if it will be alright if Western Hemisphere doesn't get the brie...
Rubio responds by talking about how complex this whole operation is and mentions this is something that they should and would provide info on. Curtis wants to have better cooperation with State Department on Western Hemispehere activities
olive anchor
starting now for anyone curious and has time
hoary laurel
Rubio responds by talking about how complex this whole operation is and mentions...
Curtis brings up Russia and China specifically concerns around China. Rubio responds with how Russia and China are in play in Latin America by going over couple examples such as commercial relations between China and different countries in Latin America. Rubio then brings up cooperation U.S. is having with different Latin American countries to counter China's influence in Latin America
hoary laurel
Curtis brings up Russia and China specifically concerns around China. Rubio resp...
Sen Van Hollen highlights the massive corruption within Trump adminstration and lists examples of those corruption. For Venezuela, he brings up again about Trump talking to oil companies first before Congress. Van Hollen lays out pattern of corruption and asks if Rubio was in the room with Trump and oil industry people having talks before outsing Maduro
hoary laurel
Sen Van Hollen highlights the massive corruption within Trump adminstration and ...
Rubio denies it
hoary laurel
Rubio denies it
Van Hollen asks about Paul Singer and if Rubio knows that Trump had convo with Paul Singer. No says Rubio
hoary laurel
Van Hollen asks about Paul Singer and if Rubio knows that Trump had convo with P...
I forget what Rubio is responding the question to because he's been talking about
hoary laurel
I forget what Rubio is responding the question to because he's been talking abou...
Sen Daines is also kissing up to Rubio. For question, asks about expanding export control in petroleum by product
hoary laurel
Sen Daines is also kissing up to Rubio. For question, asks about expanding expor...
Rubio mentions we're on a verge of making sure the money doesn't go to bad actors through market
hoary laurel
Rubio mentions we're on a verge of making sure the money doesn't go to bad actor...
Daines pivot to EU energy. He brings up energy security and asks how important is it for Europe to have pro-energy security in context of Russia's war in Ukraine.
hoary laurel
Daines pivot to EU energy. He brings up energy security and asks how important i...
Pivots to Central Asia. He asks how important is it to end restriction bill (need to look into it more). Rubio says it's important to address that bill
hoary laurel
Pivots to Central Asia. He asks how important is it to end restriction bill (nee...
Sen Rosen brings up Honduras president recent pardon from Trump. Yes or no question about if Trump knows about the Honduras president was convicted. Rubio tries to deflect from the question saying that he wasn't in the room. Rosen brings up U.S. hypocrisy in human rights and undermines U.S. credibility. Rosen asks who is directing the U.S. foreign policy given that Rubio has a lot of job title.
hoary laurel
Sen Rosen brings up Honduras president recent pardon from Trump. Yes or no quest...
Rubio says Trump is leading the U.S. foreign policy. He then talks about his other roles and Rosen asks about organizational hierarchy
hoary laurel
Rubio says Trump is leading the U.S. foreign policy. He then talks about his oth...
Pivots to Board of Peace. She highlights Congress needs to be involved when it comes to things like this and asks when will Trump come to Congress about this. Rubio defends Trump's Board of Peace project
hoary laurel
Pivots to Board of Peace. She highlights Congress needs to be involved when it c...
Sen Shaheen emphasizes about the Case Act that State department is required to provide info about issues like Venezuela. She hopes info on ongoing dialogue on ending the war in Ukraine is shared with relevant parties. Rubio mentions he'll be glad to provide info and that this situation is so fluid that info can be obsolete by the time Senators get info
hoary laurel
Sen Shaheen emphasizes about the Case Act that State department is required to p...
Sen Risch asks if the portion of the settlement on Ukraine is settled by both parties and if so, that's news to him for the first time. Rubio says words and I think he's providing background context
hoary laurel
Sen Risch asks if the portion of the settlement on Ukraine is settled by both pa...
Now oversight is done
versed berry
Now oversight is done
Ty Daniel! Appreciate your contributions as always!
hoary laurel
From NYT on the hearing on Venezuela earlier
https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000010674839/marco-rubio-venezuela-hearing.html
Marco Rubio Asserts Control Over Venezuela’s Budget
During a hearing on Venezuela on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared the Trump administration’s plan to control Venezuela’s spending. Lawmakers shared concerns with Mr. Rubio that Congress was not consulted on the military operation before it happened.
hoary laurel
Schatz asks Rubio to commit publicly that U.S. is not going to do a regime chang...
Update after reviewing, if I understood Rubio here, his argument for why a regime change in Cuba is authorized in today's context, it's because of the Helms-Burton Act?
Helms-Burton Act: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helms–Burton_Act
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mdiru3mvm626
hoary laurel
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mdim7g6g4n2u
related to the account in Qatar that's holding Venezuela's money
January 15, 2026: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/15/business/qatar-venezuela-oil-sale-account
archived: https://archive.ph/sXrqS
hoary laurel
related to the account in Qatar that's holding Venezuela's money
January 15, 202...
From POLITICO on this earlier
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/22/the-u-s-couldnt-track-billions-in-iraq-now-its-controlling-venezuelas-oil-cash-00739251
archived: https://archive.ph/Z79HF
A U.S.-controlled oil fund is the “only way through which… the current corrupt mechanisms in place can be used to the benefit of the immediate reconstruction of Venezuela,” said Hernandez, who is now senior specialist at advisory firm Aurora Macro Strategies.
But in the longer term, it is unclear whether proceeds can be used to pay off an estimated $140 billion in Venezuelan debt. In Iraq, the U.S. government and various international bodies pushed Iraq’s creditors to take a major haircut on the payments they were owed, a move that if replicated in Venezuela is likely to rile Wall Street and complicate the administration’s efforts to entice oil companies back to the country.
The myriad unknowns have experts skeptical that ordinary Venezuelans will benefit much from the cash piling up in a U.S.-controlled Qatari account.
hoary laurel
midnight dirge
USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) captured by Sentinel-2 yesterday (link)
Coordinates: 13.53348,-65.62759
midnight dirge
Lockheed Martin offers rare confirmation of RQ-170 Sentinel operations, The War Zone reports (link)
“This is what you can expect from Lockheed Martin: continued significant investment to advance technology development and produce proven major weapon systems at ever greater scale. We build on this momentum with a powerful start to 2026,” CEO Jim Taiclet said during a quarterly earnings call this morning. “Lockheed Martin products, once again, proved critical to the U.S. military’s most demanding missions. The recent Operation Absolute Resolve [in Venezuela] included F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drones, and Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters, which helped ensure mission success while bringing the men and women of our armed forces home safely.”
Crossposted to #bombs-arms-drones-other-killing-machines
midnight dirge
Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale and two Coast Guard cutters have arrived at Port-au-Prince, Haiti - US SOUTHCOM X post (link)
Cross posted to #latin-america-caribbean
midnight dirge
hoary laurel
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mdirt42j4p2c
Seems like Trump admin people are not on the same page here...
https://bsky.app/profile/casten.house.gov/post/3me2nlc53q22q
midnight dirge
US special ops vessel MV Ocean Trader reportedly spotted off St. Croix, US Virgin Islands yesterday.
Source: St. Croix Life (public FB group) (link)
@steady elk
sand leaf
hoary laurel
midnight dirge
Footage of the boarding posted on X by US Department of Defense (link)
According to Tanker Trackers, the vessel AQUILA II (IMO: 9281152) left Venezuelan waters the morning of Maduro's capture (link)
X
midnight dirge
US military activities in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Pacific
karmic gulch
X
midnight dirge
US Coast Guard continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of maritime interdictions, seizing over 8,000 kilos of cocaine without the use of lethal force last week. (link)
Since August, the USCG has seized over 90,000 kilos of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific, reportedly without killing anyone.
"The more than 75 million lethal doses seized during this operation will never reach our schools and neighborhoods to poison our children or tear apart American families. In cutting off the flow of these deadly drugs, the Coast Guard is saving American lives and delivering on President Trump's promise to Make America Safe Again and reestablish our maritime dominance.”
The US Coast Guard press release offered a helpful explanatory note for US Secretary of Homeland Security's math:
With 1.2 grams of cocaine being a potentially lethal dose, the total seized through Operation Pacific Viper equates to more than 75 million potentially deadly doses kept off U.S. streets. Eighty percent of all seizures of U.S.-bound narcotics occur at sea, underscoring the impact of Coast Guard maritime interdiction efforts.
**Source: ** USCG Press Release (link)
Since October 2025, US Southern Command maritime strikes have killed at least 65 persons in the Eastern Pacific according to Airwars' Tracker (link).
sand leaf
karmic gulch
midnight dirge
Visualization of Rivet Joint (64-14841) flight tracks visible on ADSB exchange this month
midnight dirge
12 February - "Destroyer USS Truxtun, Oiler USNS Supply Collide in SOUTHCOM" (link)
Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG-103) and fast oiler USNS Supply (AOE-6) collided during an underway replenishment on Wednesday, according to a U.S. Southern Command statement.
“Two personnel reported minor injuries and are in stable condition. Both ships have reported sailing safely. The incident is currently under investigation,” reads the statement provided to USNI News.
Sal Mercogiliano (What's Going on With Shipping) shared a video reportedly from the collision (link)
Reposted to #maritime
midnight dirge
12 Feb - NYT Reports: USS Gerard Ford CSG ordered to CENTCOM AOR (link)
Crossposted to #middle_east-north_africa
Archive: https://archive.is/Pmn91
midnight dirge
Search suspended earlier this week for a US Marine who went overboard from the USS Iwo Jima 7 February.
A Marine who fell overboard from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima on Feb. 7 has been declared dead after exhaustive search-and-rescue efforts were unsuccessful, the service announced.
Five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid-hull inflatable boat, surface rescue swimmers from the Iwo Jima and 10 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force joined the search efforts, according to the announcement.
Source: Navy Times (link)
hoary laurel
hoary laurel
https://bsky.app/profile/bloomberg.com/post/3metosekmwo2g
archived: https://archive.is/20260214160727/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-14/us-military-s-venezuela-operations-most-likely-cost-billions
Bluesky
hoary laurel
https://theintercept.com/2026/02/17/boat-strike-trump-southcom-survivors-rescue-plane-hours/
Using open-source flight tracking data, Airwars and The Intercept learned that a Coast Guard plane did not head toward the site of the attack for almost two days. A timeline provided by the Coast Guard confirmed that it was roughly 45 hours before a flight arrived at the search area.
The slow response and lack of rescue craft in the area suggests there was scant interest on the part of the U.S. in saving anyone. It’s part of a pattern of what appear to be imitation rescue missions that since mid-October have not saved a single survivor.
hoary laurel
midnight dirge
New maritime strike today disclosed by US Southern Command, 3 reported dead (link)
The death toll from U.S. maritime strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific rises to 147.
(The status of one survivor from a strike earlier this month remains unknown. The U.S. Coast Guard stated that search and rescue responsibility was assigned to Ecuador, but Ecuador has not publicly confirmed accepting the SAR case or provided any update on its outcome.)
surreal mantle
New maritime strike today disclosed by US Southern Command, 3 reported dead [(li...
I know of one successful rescue operation after a strike, did the USN ever do that again?
midnight dirge
I know of *one* successful rescue operation after a strike, did the USN ever do ...
Only the 16 October strike resulted in successful rescues. The two surivovrs were rescued, provided with medical treatment, and repatriated to Ecuador and Colombia. Both countries later released them due to lack of evidence to charge them with anything.
Truth Social link for 16 October strike disclosure: || https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115396632441470075 ||
warm heath
3 new strikes yesterday, 11 killed [(link)](https://vxtwitter.com/Southcom/statu...
Did you see geolocations for these out of curiosity? I see social/IRL chatter about the pacific dead being from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit Mex
midnight dirge
Did you see geolocations for these out of curiosity? I see social/IRL chatter ab...
No, could you share links if you have them handy? Assessing claims linking victims to a US trike is challenging and all leads are welcome!
hoary laurel
https://vxtwitter.com/Southcom/status/2026006115428016257?s=20
observation to today's boat strike
https://bsky.app/profile/adamisacson.com/post/3mfkgi6wgxk2g
midnight dirge
https://vxtwitter.com/Southcom/status/2026006115428016257?s=20
observation to t...
Thanks for that Rubio quote!
hoary laurel
Thanks for that Rubio quote!
Credit goes to Adam for digging into Rubio's press!
pallid beacon
Does anybody have any information on the US blockade going on around Cuba? I'm hearing about humanitarian disaster but theres no information on it anywhere
summer sparrow
I've heard multiple reports from CBC on it:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cuba-canada-embargo-aid-9.7100202
The government of Canada says it is still thinking about whether to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, as the island confronts a looming disaster under an American oil embargo that is, in practice, a full blockade.
"Canada is monitoring the situation carefully and is concerned about the increasing risk of a humanitarian crisis on the island," said Global Affairs Canada's Charlotte MacLeod in a written statement shared with CBC News.
"As the situation continues to evolve, Canada is evaluating options to support Cuba's most vulnerable people. Canada has a long-standing record of providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to Cuba in response to acute crises."
Global Affairs also encouraged any Canadians still on the island to "consider leaving while options remain available."
pallid beacon
I've heard multiple reports from CBC on it:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cub...
Thanks! I'll start there
summer sparrow
If you're comfortable reading news in Spanish, searching for "Cuba bloqueo" has a lot more coverage.
midnight dirge
Does anybody have any information on the US blockade going on around Cuba? I'm h...
The NYT's Christiaan Triebert (former Bellingcat) is part of the Time's team covering the Cuba blockade (link)
hoary laurel
Just Security’s analysis of the Office of Legal Counsel’s memo that attempts to provide justification in taking of Maduro - also relevant for boat strikes https://www.justsecurity.org/131538/trump-war-powers-venezuela-olc-memo/
sand leaf
midnight dirge
https://fixupx.com/Southcom/status/2029011785567572285?s=20
That wasn't on my bingo card.
sand leaf
midnight dirge
“This was always going to escalate,” said one government official briefed on Southern Spear who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss classified information. “It wasn’t going to be just boat strikes forever.”
https://theintercept.com/2026/03/04/us-military-ecuador-trump/
midnight dirge
Ecuadorian investigative outlet GK on Ecuador-US joint operation (link)
Ecuador's president X (post) suggested the joint operation would be directed against narcoterrorism and illegal mining.
US SOUTHCOM's announcment only mentions narcoterrorism #1413617230838501458 message
midnight dirge
At the order of @SecWar
, #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan directed the joint force to support Ecuadorian forces conducing lethal kinetic operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations within Ecuador March 6.
Source: https://fixupx.com/Southcom/status/2030056869624955036
At the request of Ecuador, the Department of War executed targeted action to advance our shared objective of dismantling narco-terrorist networks.
https://fixupx.com/SeanParnellASW/status/2030030098443948129
@sand leaf
midnight dirge
Ecuador Armed Forces Announcement with key details:
- 4 persons apprehended
- location: Santa Rosa de Sucumbíos, cantón Cascales, provincia de Sucumbí, Ecuador
- Camp Targeted had capacity for 50 persons - infrastructure "neutralized"
Killed/wounded not disclosed
hoary laurel
trail prawn
https://vxtwitter.com/Southcom/status/2030800534052196608?s=20
The Defense Department says it has blown up a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing six people. The strike raised the death toll in the campaign by the US against people it accuses of smuggling drugs at sea to at least 156.
hoary laurel
Didn't expect a political commentator to be in this type of hearing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZEL1tDFS1Y
WITNESSES:
Franklin Camargo, Political Commentator, PragerU - testimony Professor Josh Blackman, Professor of Law, South Texas College of Law, Houston - testimony Gina D'Andrea, General Counsel, America First Policy Institute - testimony
hoary laurel
midnight dirge
https://fixupx.com/Southcom/status/2034996829218099347?s=20
Three survivors!
hoary laurel
surreal mantle
Three survivors!
any news about them actually being rescued?
midnight dirge
any news about them actually being rescued?
Two bodies were recovered, one criticially injured surivor was transferred to Costa Rican authorities:
I'm looking for updates on the survivor. The description of injuries is pretty bad.
The transfer reportedly occured 126 nautical miles from a town in CR:
surreal mantle
wow, someone maybe made it? That might be the first time this year
midnight dirge
Yes, first rescue from a maritime stirke in 2026. Third overall.
surreal mantle
The transfer reportedly occured 126 nautical miles from a town in CR:
The article seems to specify they found the bodies in territorial waters, which is a bit hard to square with the range ring you drew... Jaco would be right by the strike since territorial water is like 12 miles out max
ruby heart
Unless someone mixed up territorial waters (12 nm) and exclusive economic zone (200nm)
midnight dirge
"126 millas náuticas de Golfito, en aguas patrimoniales."
That translates to 126 nautical miles from Golfito.
"En aguas patrimoniales" is likely due to the common confusion that Subtle highlights.
Trying to explain the significance/relevance of EEZs in a general newspaper article would not be a fun task.
hoary laurel
trail prawn
surreal mantle
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/americas/2026-03-25/us-forces-strike-drug-boat-...
Interesting detail about the rescue after the previous murders
The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated with Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Costa Rica, and Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf was diverted from its patrol to survey the site of the attack, the Coast Guard said in a statement Friday. The Bertholf recovered two dead and one survivor, who were all transferred to the Costa Rican Coast Guard.
So the nautical mile range given by Costa Rica might be to the handover point, with an unknown amount of travel before that
hoary laurel
midnight dirge
A Rivet Joint making itself known:
https://fixupx.com/LatAmMilMVMTs/status/2041228658526896512/en
hoary laurel
midnight dirge
https://fxtwitter.com/Southcom/status/2043477652573470959?s=20
surreal mantle
The incoming munition I think?
midnight dirge
They're visible in a number of the strikes..
surreal mantle
And was just thinking it was about time for southcom to murder some more Latinos... the strike tempo does feels pretty regular doesn't it?
April 11
March 25
March 19
March 8
Feb 23
Feb 20
Feb 16
Feb 13
Feb 9
Feb 5
Jan 23
Jan 15
Jan 9
Jan 7
<Jan 3 Maduro raid>
And then 8 murders in December of 2025, three of those in the last three days of December
summer sparrow
And was just thinking it was about time for southcom to murder some more Latinos...
Just a tone check here - this server has a lot of grim news. But let's not forget that we're referencing humans in these figures.
surreal mantle
Just a tone check here - this server has a lot of grim news. But let's not forge...
Apologies, I was trying for a tone that didn't minimise the criminal act and the human suffering the way "lethal strike" does. Would "murder civilians" be ok?
summer sparrow
"some more Latinos" was the part that fell flat. But any amount of editorializing about these strikes runs the risk of coming across as unfeeling or crass. Even if that's not your intention.
midnight dirge
US Southcom discloses new maritime strike - 2 reported killed in the Eastern Pacific
midnight dirge
US Southcom discloses fourth vessel attacked since Saturday in the Eastern Pacific
likely munition highlighted
Of possible interest: The other two strike disclosures this week both included the line "Applying total systemic friction on the cartels"....language Gen. Donovan used in his Senate Armed Services Committee testimony last month.
Today's disclosure notably omits it.
Today's strike raises the number of vessels targeted to 52 and the death toll to 175.
surreal mantle
Hm, I counted around 24 strike announcements on centcoms newsfeed, so that's about 2 vessels per strike on average. But the last few announcements were for one vessel each, when did they really go bananas and attack like 5 groups of civilians the same day?
midnight dirge
Hm, I counted around 24 strike announcements on centcoms newsfeed, so that's abo...
CENTCOM would not announce any US maritime strikes in the Western Hemisphere - that falls under US SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility.
SOUTHCOM took over strike disclosures beginning with the November 10, 2025 strike. The preceding 16 strikes had been disclosed by the US Secretary of Defense and the US President.
In total, the United States has made 39 official social media posts disclosing strikes. Five of those posts disclosed more than one vessel targeted, two of which involved three vessels.
For a visualization (not yet updated with yesterday's strike):
https://airwars.org/conflict/u-s-military-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/
Another tracker maintained by Nick Turse of The Intercept (also lagging with yesterday's strike):
https://theintercept.com/2025/11/17/trump-boat-strikes-death-toll-caribbean-pacific/
Note: the different counts for total killed is due to Airwar's methodology waiting for official confirmation that a survivor is presumed dead.
midnight dirge
SOUTHCOM discloses new new strike - three killed in the Eastern Pacific
midnight dirge
📈 That's 5 vessels targeted, 15 individuals killed since Saturday.
midnight dirge
SOUTHCOM disclosed new Caribbean strike - three killed
elfin birch
midnight dirge
📈 Six strikes in nine days - 18 killed. 2x the number of strikes in March.
midnight dirge
US Southern Command discloses 7th maritime strike this month in the Eastern Pacific
midnight dirge
US Southern Command discloses 8th maritime strike this month in the Eastern Pacific
📈 3 killed bringing total of disclosed deaths to 186, with 23 in April so far.
surreal mantle
By Isaacson's count Donovan is now tied with Trump in total number of strikes ordered, but still some 17 murdered civilians short of match Trump's kill total https://elefanti.co/@adam/116478895092622950
Do we have any clarity of which units are actually doing the murders?
midnight dirge
First US Maritime Strike in May, Death Toll Rises to 188 📈
midnight dirge
Second US Maritime Strike in May, Death Toll Rises to 191 📈
surreal mantle
X
midnight dirge
USS Lake Erie (CG-70 MMSI: 366967000) , a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, made itself know near Cuba's territorial waters this week.
midnight dirge
Third US Maritime Strike in May (Eastern Pacific), Two Killed, One Survivor - USCG notified for SAR mission
Death Toll Rises to 193 📈
midnight dirge
The SAR mission was transferred to Mexico
https://fixupx.com/USCGSouthwest/status/2052921471702651353/en
This suggests the strike likely occurred in SRR Mexico, highlighted in the attached screenshot.
source: https://www.globalsarhub.com/sea-sar.php
midnight dirge
Good example of proper escalation of force in a maritime interdiction:
Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew simultaneously interdicted three suspected smuggling vessels carrying approximately 6,085 pounds of cocaine worth nearly $45.8 million, May 8, approximately 90 miles off Cartagena, Colombia. This seizure represents 2.3 million potentially lethal doses of cocaine that will not reach American streets.
Tahoma’s crew launched their two small boats and their deployed Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew stopping all three vessels.
One vessel was non-compliant and required aerial use of force tactics, including precision sniper fire directed at the engines, to compel the vessel to stop resulting in the suspected smugglers on the vessel jumping overboard. The aircrew released multiple personal flotation devices, and the people were rescued with no reported injuries. The other two vessels stopped when directed by Coast Guard crews. [emphasis added]
The vest the gunner is wearing indicates their unit: HITRON - the USCG's helicopter interdiction tactical squadron.
For a recent article on the units:
https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/4461549/behind-the-scenes-with-hitron/
midnight dirge
The Caribbean Sea has a US Carrier Strike Group Once Again
midnight dirge
USS Iwo Jima 🛰️ spotted off the coast of 🇻🇪
The amphibious assault ship was likely there in relation to yesterday's SOUTHCOM rehearsal for evacuating the US embassy in Caracas: #latin-america-caribbean message
https://fixupx.com/tom_bike/status/2058547110723604553/en
https://fixupx.com/Arr3ch0/status/2058533552732385494/en
Copernicus 🔗 link
surreal mantle
https://fixupx.com/Southcom/status/2059440695488790898#m Donovan racking up som more kills
surreal mantle
(oh, there you are @midnight dirge I was mildly concerned when I didn't find you posting about the latest murders)
midnight dirge
They had posted this one after I had retired for the evening. Thanks for keeping an eye out!
midnight dirge
Fifth May maritime strike on suspected smuggling vessel - two killed
midnight dirge
Sixth May attack - United States has claimed 200 deaths in 9 months
midnight dirge
Blowing Up Boats Hasn't Slowed Cocaine Traffic to U.S., Experts Say New York Times, 29 May 2026
If boat strikes were slowing the flow of cocaine to the United States, public health researchers say one consequence would be an increase in prices.
But street prices for cocaine remain between $60 to $100 per gram in many U.S. cities, about where they were before the boat strikes began, according to Nabarun Dasgupta, an addiction scientist at the University of North Carolina and a leading expert on the epidemiology of street drugs in the United States.
Similarly, epidemiologists say the purity of cocaine sold in the United States would be expected to drop if the maritime strikes were truly hurting drug cartels. Dealers seeking to stretch restricted supplies would likely dilute their product with more adulterants, such as levamisole, a medication used to treat parasitic worm infections that can physically resemble cocaine, or lidocaine, a local anesthetic.
And yet, the average number of such substances in cocaine samples ranges from 1.3 to 1.5 in 2026, after the boat strikes began, compared with a range of 1.4 to 1.6 for much of 2025, Mr. Dasgupta said.
That consistency suggests that the start of the boat strikes in September did not amount to an inflection point limiting cocaine supply in the United States, Mr. Dasgupta said“It’s clearly not going in the expected direction,” Mr. Dasgupta said.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/world/americas/us-boat-strikes-cocaine-trump-south-america.html
Archive: https://archive.is/EEgmk
midnight dirge
