United States Marine Corps general, commander of U.S. Southern Command since Feb 2026.
The United States has expanded sanctions and enforced an energy blockade that has cut fuel supplies to Cuba, targeted President Miguel Díaz‑Canel, members of the Castro family and military institutions, and has indicted former president Raúl Castro; the measures have deepened power outages, food and medicine shortages and drawn condemnation from the UN human rights commissioner.
Cuba faces heightened tension as US pressure intensifies amid oil blockades and drone acquisitions discussions. Washington warns against weapons that could threaten bases like Guantánamo Bay, while diplomats anticipate the World Cup in Miami could affect calculations on possible military action.
U.S. forces have carried out an airstrike that has killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as Niño Guerrero, the leader of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, U.S. and Venezuelan officials have said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump have said the operation targeted a compound in Bolívar state earlier this week and involved coordination with Venezuelan security forces.
Two powerful earthquakes have struck near Caracas, killing thousands and injuring many more while triggering a major disaster response. The government reports rising tolls and widespread missing-persons amid damaged infrastructure and international aid efforts.