Overview
- U.S. forces boarded and seized the Skipper off Venezuela on Dec. 10, the first such mission during the current regional buildup, targeting a vessel previously sanctioned in 2022 for illicit Iranian oil shipments.
- Treasury announced new sanctions on relatives of Cilia Flores, a Maduro-linked businessman, six shipping companies, and associated vessels over deceptive and unsafe maritime practices.
- The White House framed the seizure as enforcement of sanctions aimed at disrupting narco-terror financing networks and indicated similar missions could follow.
- A large U.S. naval and air presence continues in the Caribbean, with more than 20 lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats since September resulting in roughly 85 deaths.
- Senior congressional Democrats pressed for release of full videos of the Sept. 2 strike as new polling shows most voters oppose sending troops to remove Maduro and prioritize adherence to international law.