The wider U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean Sea comes as strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels continue. CBS News' Eleanor Watson has more.

The U.S. military has carried out a sixth strike on a suspected cartel boat in the Caribbean, marking the first incident with known survivors. The total number of passengers and survivors remains unclear, and there has been no official statement from the White House regarding the latest attack. 

This series of strikes occurs as the U.S. expands its military presence in the region, deploying 10,000 troops, including 2,000 marines, warships, and fighter jets. The head of U.S. Southern Command, Admiral Halsey, has announced an early retirement amid tensions with Secretary Hegseth, adding to a series of senior military departures since the Trump administration began. The Senate is expected to hold confirmation hearings to address ongoing questions about the U.S. military's objectives in the Caribbean.

10,000 U.S. troops deployed to Caribbean as vessel strikes continue

A U.S. official tells CBS News the U.S. military carried out another strike on a suspected cartel boat in the Caribbean Sea. This marks the sixth boat attack in the area since last month, but it's also the first known instance with survivors. No word from the White House yet on this latest attack, and at this point, the number of passengers and survivors, that's not clear either. The attacks come during a wider U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. The U.S. is sending 10,000 total troops to the region, and that includes 2,000 marines, multiple warships, and fighter jets. Meanwhile, Venezuela's president claims he is now mobilizing militia members. Let's go to CBS News Pentagon reporter Eleanor Watson. Eleanor, thank you so much for joining us today. What do we know about this latest strike? Well, Mugo, as you said, it's at least the sixth known strike on a vessel in the Caribbean, and it's the first one that we know of that is thought to have survivors. We don't know who was targeted, how many survived, how many were killed, but the previous strikes in the over a month-and-a-half have targeted alleged drug vessels, killing nearly 30 people in total. It marks kind of this expansion of the U.S. military in the Caribbean for missions targeting drug cartels that have usually been handled by the Department of Homeland Security with interdictions. As you mentioned, there is a buildup in the region that includes about 10,000 U.S. forces either on warships or on bases in Puerto Rico. That buildup could seem a bit like overkill if these strikes remain limited to just drug boats, but President Trump has threatened over the past several weeks that the strikes could expand to not only international waters, but potentially on land. OK, Ellie, so I understand you have reporting on the head of the U.S. Southern Command who oversaw these strikes. What can you tell us about him? Yeah, Admiral Halsey, in a surprise move, announced he will retire early, just one year into what is a usually two- to three-year term. We learned about this first from Secretary Hegseth, who put out a statement honoring Halsey's career, and then a statement from the admiral himself. Neither of the two men gave a reason for their early retirement. Officials tell CBS that the two men did have some tensions for a while, and at least one official suspected that the firing was going to come in the days ahead of the announcement. But this firing adds or this retirement adds to a list of over a dozen senior military leaders who have either stepped down or been fired by Hegseth over the previous months since the Trump administration entered the White House. But this one comes at a time during this buildup in the region and will tee up a confirmation hearing in the Senate, where senators can ask questions that are still pretty much unanswered about the military's goal in the Caribbean. Yeah. Ellie Watson, thank you so much for your reporting.

The Trump administration is awaiting word from the Supreme Court after asking it to allow the immediate deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. A lower court blocked the move.

Portland

Tensions rising in Portland, Oregon over immigration tactics

President Trump posted a video of a U.S. military strike on a submersible suspected of smuggling drugs. Two people were killed in the strike but the survivors were brought to a Navy ship. Trump says the U.S. will send the them back to their home countries for prosecution.

Washington

Trump says survivors of U.S. drug submersible will be sent home

The U.S. State Department issued a warning that Hamas appeared to be planning an attack 'against Palestinian civilians,' warning that such an attack would 'constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement'.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

State Dept. flags ceasefire violation by Hamas

Britain's Prince Andrew said on Friday he would give up using his title of Duke of York following years of criticism about his behavior and connections to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Windsor

Prince Andrew gives up title of Duke of York

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy came to the White House on Friday looking for weapons to keep fighting his country's war with Russia, but met an American president who appears more intent on brokering a peace deal than upgrading Kyiv’s arsenal.

Ukraine Invasion

Trump pauses on sending Tomahawks to Ukraine

Tension is rising between the U.S and Venezuela. The latest threats from the US warning of stronger measures against Nicolas Maduro’s government — have sparked both fear and fragile hope across Venezuela.

Caracas

Venezuela on high-alert amid U.S strikes

In the aftermath of a destructive Typhoon Halong, historic floodwaters have destroyed remote communities across western Alaska, forcing hundreds of evacuations that could continue for days.

Kipnuk

Mass evacuations in Alaska after record floodwaters

Mr. Trump seemed open to trading U.S.-made Tomahawk's for Ukrainian-made drones, but then he argued Ukraine might not even need new weapons if he can broker a swift end to the invasion.

Trump says he'd rather broker peace than send Tomahawks to Ukraine

President Trump announced that he has commuted former New York Rep. George Santos' sentence on Friday in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

President Trump commutes George Santos' sentence

The head of the World Trade Organization said on Thursday (October 16) she is urging the U.S. and China to de-escalate trade tensions, warning that a decoupling between the world's two largest economies could reduce global economic output by 7% over the longer-term.

WTO urges U.S., China to ease trade war or risk global growth

John Bolton pleaded not guilty at a Maryland federal court on Friday (October 17). This comes after the former Trump administration national security adviser was indicted on 18 counts for his alleged mishandling of classified information.

Greenbelt

John Bolton pleads not guilty to criminal charges

Buckingham Palace announced Friday that Prince Andrew is giving up his royal titles. This comes after a posthumous memoir by Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre emerged.

London

Prince Andrew giving up his royal titles, Buckingham Palace says

U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Friday as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues. On Thursday, Trump spent more than two hours on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump set to meet with Zelenskyy

Ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Trump cast doubt on supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, citing U.S. stock concerns. He also discussed the issue with Russian President Putin, who opposed the idea, raising questions about future Ukraine aid.

Trump questions sending Tomahawks to Ukraine after Putin call

At least one person was killed and dozens of police officers injured in widespread protests overnight in Peru against President Jose Jeri, who assumed power just days ago. The government will declare a state of emergency in Lima within hours and is preparing a package of measures to tackle rising insecurity.

Lima

Peru to impose state of emergency after violent clashes

The espionage case against Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash collapsed after government officials refused to testify under oath that China posed a threat to national security.

MI5 chief warns China a ‘daily threat’ after spy case collapse

NATO is increasing its capabilities on its eastern flank after recent Russian drone incursions. At the same time the EU has announced a major defence policy roadmap aimed at deterring threats from Russia.

Šiauliai

NATO, EU step up defences to deter Russia

The U.S. military flew three B-52 bombers on missions near the coast of Venezuela, according to a Global Strike Command spokesperson and a U.S. official, as the Trump administration continues to exert pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government.

U.S. flies B-52 bombers off the coast of Venezuela

A federal judge overturned a Homeland Security decision to cut anti-terrorism funding for New York City. The ruling comes as the Trump administration faces lawsuits from Democratic governors over similar cuts.

New York

Judge blocks Trump cuts to New York City's anti-terrorism funds

China has accused the U.S. of stoking panic over its rare earth controls and said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had made "grossly distorted" remarks about a top Chinese trade negotiator, rejecting a White House call to roll back the curbs.

Beijing

Global Tariffs

China blames U.S. for global panic over rare earths controls

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he had a "productive" phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced plans for a meeting with Putin in Hungary.

Trump says he plans to meet with Putin in Hungary

Israel said it was preparing for the reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt but set no date as it traded blame with Hamas over violations of the ceasefire. A row over the return of bodies of hostages from Gaza retains the potential to upend the truce.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu says fight with Hamas 'not over yet'

Tumultuous scenes unfolded during the public viewing of late Kenyan Prime Minister Ralia Odinga's body. The 80-year-old's coffin was on its way to a Nairobi stadium when security forces fired tear gas and gunshots into the crowds. At least two people have reportedly been killed.

Nairobi

Kenyan police open fire at mourners at Odinga public viewing

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday after airstrikes and ground fighting ramped up tensions between the South Asian neighbors, leaving more than a dozen civilians dead and 100 wounded.

Balochistan

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree temporary truce after fresh fighting

U.S. President Trump confirmed CIA covert operations in Venezuela during a press conference in the Oval Office on Wednesday. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe asked Trump about what that means for Nicolás Maduro.

Trump authorizes CIA covert operations in Venezuela

Israel is still limiting the number of aid trucks allowed to enter Gaza nearly a week after a ceasefire deal was agreed. It’s told the United Nations will only allow 300 per day - that's half the minimum number agreed under the truce.
The UN says even 600 trucks entering daily would not be enough to meet the needs of the population.

Gaza ceasefire fears as Israel limits aid trucks to less than agreed

President Trump confirmed that he has authorised the CIA to go into Venezuela and conduct covert operations.

Trump says he authorised covert CIA operations in Venezuela

Hamas is back on the streets of Gaza in an attempt, it says, to restore law and order -- and to send a message.

Hamas executes Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel

A federal judge in Oregon has extended temporary restraining orders that block the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland. Meanwhile, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas to disperse a crowd after a car chase ended in a crash.

Chicago

Federal agents deploy tear gas in Chicago despite court order

A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily ordered the Trump administration to halt the firing of workers during the government shutdown.

Breakdown