U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)

Force in Play

Continuing strikes under Gen. Francis L. Donovan as commander by May 2026. Resumed strikes on Aug. 24 after a pause that began June 21, and carried out the campaign's 72nd strike on Oct. 27, 2026.

The U.S. military's boat-strike campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific has run for more than a year. An independent tally counted 72 strikes and at least 240 deaths by the Oct. 27 attack, which killed five people on a go-fast vessel in the eastern Pacific.

Updated Oct 28

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Conducted Operation Absolute Resolve

Congress hasn't declared war since 1942, though presidents have ordered 212 military strikes without formal declarations. On January 3, 2026, U.S. special forces raided Venezuela, captured President Nicolás Maduro in his residence, and flew him to New York to face narcoterrorism charges.

Updated May 22

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Leading Operation Southern Spear with 15,000 deployed personnel

Trump confirmed the first known U.S. land attack inside Venezuela on December 30—a drone strike on a coastal dock allegedly used by the Tren de Aragua gang, with no one present when missiles hit. The same day, a U.S. strike on a boat in the Pacific killed two more people, bringing total deaths to at least 107 since September.

Updated May 18

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Entered leadership transition as Venezuela-related maritime escalation accelerates, potentially affecting regional interdiction and surveillance posture.

Trump's Venezuela "blockade" threat is now backed by policy. Washington has added new Venezuela-linked sanctions and also targeted Iran's shadow-fleet network. Together, these expand the pool of already-sanctioned vessels that the U.S. Navy could board if they try to trade with Venezuela.

Updated May 15