Trump Warns Maduro as Coast Guard Hunts Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers
US President Donald Trump warned Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of further escalation as the US Coast Guard intensified efforts to seize sanctioned oil tankers in the Caribbean.
US forces are pursuing vessels Washington describes as part of a Venezuelan “dark fleet” used to evade sanctions, following recent seizures of multiple tankers.
Trump reiterated threats of a blockade and said the campaign aims to pressure Maduro’s government, while US officials framed the actions as enforcement against illegal activity.
BREAKING VIDEO: Trump says Venezuela’s Maduro “can do whatever he wants …we have a massive armada formed… by far the biggest we’ve ever had in South America… If he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough.”
H/T @EricLDaugh pic.twitter.com/edCz1pKu97
— The Western Journal (@WesternJournalX) December 22, 2025
Russia began evacuating diplomats’ families from Venezuela, and Caracas condemned the US actions as violations of international law, even as Venezuela’s legislature moved to criminalize cooperation with tanker seizures.
US Military Reports Another Fatal Boat Strike in Eastern Pacific
The US military said it carried out another strike on a vessel it described as a drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person.
US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said intelligence linked the boat to known trafficking routes but released no evidence to support the claim.
Video released by the command shows the vessel taking fire and burning while adrift.
On Dec. 22, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting… pic.twitter.com/LGzEaQSTiR
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 23, 2025
The strike is part of a broader Trump administration campaign aimed at curbing drug trafficking and increasing pressure on Venezuela’s government, a campaign that has killed at least 105 people since early September and drawn criticism from lawmakers and human rights groups.
USO Opens First Brick-and-Mortar Center in Singapore
The United Service Organizations (USO) opened a new center at Sembawang Naval Installation in Singapore, marking its first permanent brick-and-mortar presence in the country.
The facility offers service members and their families access to Wi-Fi, computers, movies, games, books, American food, and volunteer opportunities.
The United Service Organzations (USO) has officially opened in Singapore!
Ambassador Sinha is proud to support the USO’s mission of providing a home away from home for U.S. service members and their families—offering connection, support, and comfort while serving abroad. The… pic.twitter.com/UIfB2KFuih
— U.S. Embassy Singapore (@USEmbassySG) December 23, 2025
USO leaders said the center grew out of expanded support efforts in the region following the 2017 USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) collision, which killed 10 sailors.
US Navy officials said the center will provide a sense of community and help reduce isolation for personnel stationed or deployed in the Indo-Pacific.
US Halts Deportation of Chinese Activist Who Filmed Xinjiang Detention Sites
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has withdrawn its plan to deport Chinese national Guan Heng, clearing the way for his asylum case to move forward, rights advocates said.
Guan entered the United States illegally after secretly filming Uyghurs detention facilities in China’s Xinjiang region and releasing the footage publicly, actions that activists say put him at risk of persecution by Beijing. He has remained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since August, and his legal team is seeking his release on bond.
#USA #China #Uganda “The Department of Homeland Security has dropped its proposal to deport Chinese citizen journalist and asylum-seeker Guan Heng to Uganda—where he would almost certainly face retaliation from China. This is a welcome course correction. DHS must now ensure that… pic.twitter.com/y5JP3zqmIs
— CPJ Américas (@CPJAmericas) December 19, 2025
The decision followed growing public and congressional pressure urging US authorities to grant Guan protection due to his role in exposing alleged human rights abuses.
Mexican Navy Medical Flight Crashes Near Galveston, Killing at Least Five
A small Mexican Navy aircraft on a medical mission crashed in Galveston Bay near the Texas coast, killing at least five of the eight people aboard, US and Mexican officials said on Monday.
The flight was transporting a child patient and others, including Navy officers and civilians linked to a nonprofit that helps children with severe burns receive treatment in Galveston.
Emergency responders launched search and rescue operations as witnesses reported finding survivors trapped in the submerged wreckage.
A Mexican Navy Beechcraft King Air 350i crashed into Galveston Bay in southeastern Texas while approaching Scholes International Airport. Local authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard are conducting ongoing search-and-rescue operations. pic.twitter.com/ycmL1TDJBH
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 22, 2025
US and Mexican authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with foggy conditions reported in the area at the time.
Russian Missile and Drone Barrage Kills Civilians, Knocks Out Power Across Ukraine
Russia launched overnight a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine, killing at least three people, including a child, and forcing emergency power cuts across much of the country, Ukrainian authorities said on Tuesday.
The strikes hit energy and critical infrastructure in multiple regions, with western areas suffering the heaviest damage.
Ukrainian officials said the barrage involved more than 30 missiles and 650 drones and came as the country prepared for Christmas.
🔴 Russian forces launched more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles in the attack against Ukraine overnight, according to PM Svyrydenko.
At least 13 regions of Ukraine were attacked. pic.twitter.com/Sch4o7eTiv
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) December 23, 2025
Poland and allied aircraft were deployed to protect NATO airspace as the attacks reached areas near the Polish border, while Kyiv said Moscow is intensifying pressure amid renewed diplomatic efforts to explore a possible settlement.
Netanyahu Says Iran Nuclear Issue to Top Talks With Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will discuss Iran’s nuclear activities with US President Donald Trump during a visit to Washington next week, citing concerns over recent Iranian military exercises and uranium enrichment.
Speaking alongside Greek and Cypriot leaders, Netanyahu said Israel is not seeking confrontation with Iran but wants stability while maintaining pressure to limit Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. He said talks with Trump will also focus on Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and threats to international shipping from Iran-aligned groups.
Israeli PM Netanyahu on Iran’s nuclear program: Our expectations from Iran remain the same, and the US position hasn’t changed. I will discuss this with Trump.
Follow: https://t.co/mLGcUTSA3Q pic.twitter.com/ySZKsw6M6u
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) December 22, 2025
Israel, Greece, and Cyprus agreed to deepen security and energy cooperation, including regional infrastructure and power interconnection projects.
Gunmen Kill Five Police Officers in Northwest Pakistan Ambush
Suspected militants attacked a police patrol in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing five officers in Karak district before setting their vehicle on fire and fleeing, officials said on Tuesday.
Police launched a search operation as national and provincial leaders condemned the attack and pledged accountability. No group claimed responsibility, though authorities suspect the Pakistani Taliban, which has been linked to a surge in militant violence along the Afghan border.
🛑 Five policemen were killed after their vehicle came under a terror attack in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province https://t.co/QNbcpNwFeG pic.twitter.com/nWoRUn0kCO
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 23, 2025
The attack comes amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border militancy and recent clashes.
Sources: News Agencies
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Morning Brief: Trump Announces Plan to Revive Battleships, Another Fatal Boat Strike in Eastern Pacific, Russian Barrage Knocks Out Power Across Ukraine
Battleship revival, Ukraine under attack, and a fatal Pacific boat strike. Here’s your Tuesday morning brief for December 23rd, 2025.
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