President Donald Trump is sending America's largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean to help stop small boats he says are transporting drugs to the U.S. Trump says the U.S. is in "armed conflict" with Venezuelan drug cartels.

Washington

The United States has significantly increased its naval forces off the coast of Venezuela, following a series of strikes on boats it claims are involved in drug smuggling. These operations have resulted in dozens of deaths in international waters, with U.S. officials, including Donald Trump, stating the actions are part of a campaign to stop drug trafficking into the country.

The strikes have faced criticism for causing civilian casualties and lacking transparency about the targets. Venezuela alleges the attacks are part of a broader effort to undermine President Nicolas Maduro's government, which faces U.S. charges of narco-terrorism. Analysts note that while Venezuela is a transit point for drugs, most narcotics destined for the U.S. use other routes. The U.S. has deployed a substantial military force to the region, prompting further questions about the true objectives of the operation.

U.S. masses more naval forces off coast of Venezuela

U.S. strikes on what it says are drug-smuggling boats have been escalating for weeks. Dozens of people have been killed in the attacks in international waters. Donald Trump maintains it's part of a campaign to stop drugs flowing into the U.S. The Navy has supported our mission to blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water. You see that? And, you know, there are no boats in the water anymore. You can't find any. We're having a hard time finding them. Despite Trump's claims, the deadly boat strikes have continued. And as the number grows, so do questions about their legality and motivation. It murders civilians without providing information as to their identity, without providing the nature of the cargo aboard the vessels, and without providing any evidence on the imminent nature of an armed attack against U.S. forces. This is not self-defense. These are extrajudicial executions. Venezuela says the boat strikes are part of a wider attack and aim to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro's regime. Maduro faces charges of narco-terrorism in the U.S. with a $50 million bounty for his capture. Trump believes that Nicolas Maduro is an illegitimate president leading an illegitimate regime that has been trafficking drugs to the United States of America for far too long and we're not going to tolerate it. Analysts say while drugs do flow through Venezuela, they're usually headed to Europe, with the Pacific route preferred by traffickers trying to reach the United States. The U.S. has been ramping up its military presence in the Caribbean. There are now 10,000 marines, at least eight warships, a submarine, drones and fighter jets in the region, an unprecedented show of force to confront suspected drug boats. Nicolas Maduro is a brutal dictator and I think this administration is interested in advancing democracy in Venezuela. But the other reality is that Venezuela is home to the world's largest oil reserves on the planet. It has been the source of a migration crisis that has led eight million Venezuelans to flee the country. And of course, Venezuela is something of a staging ground for Chinese and Russian influence in the Western Hemisphere. So I think for all these reasons, the Trump administration has Venezuela in its crosshairs. The U.S. military presence in the area is being beefed up even further with its biggest aircraft carrier, perhaps the strongest sign yet that Trump's war on drug boats may have other aims.

President Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This is their first face-to-face since Mr. Trump returned to the White House. Jessi Mitchell anchors this Special Report.

Gyeongju-si

Trump, Xi Jinping meet face-to-face in South Korea over trade

The Bank of Canada made a 25-basis-point cut to its key interest rate while governor Tiff Macklem suggested rates will hold where they are as long as inflation stays in the target range of two per cent.

Ottawa

Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate to 2.25%

After leaving Jamaica with widespread power outages and flooding, Melissa caused fatal flooding in Haiti that has killed 25 people and hit Cuba with a storm surge.

Port-au-Prince

Hurricane Melissa causes floods in Haiti, killing at least 25

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Fentanyl crackdown central in U.S.-China talks

APEC members face economic uncertainty amid rising US-China rivalry—South Korea prepares for potential fallout from high-stakes talks.

U.S.-China trade tensions leave South Korea navigating APEC fallout

President Putin announced that the Poseidon super torpedo was successfully tested and cannot be intercepted, marking a new stage in Russia’s naval capabilities.

Moscow

Russia says its successfully tested nuclear-capable underwater drone

The Justice Department has put D.C. prosecutors on leave after they submitted a court memo describing those who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 as "rioters." The filing was in a case involving Taylor Taranto, who was part of the Capitol riot and is currently facing unrelated weapons charges.

DOJ sidelines prosecutors over Jan. 6 'rioters' court filing

Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff's deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home in 2024, was found guilty of second-degree murder.

Illinois

Ex-officer found guilty of murder in Sonya Massey shooting

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it will lower its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points in its second straight cut.

Fed lowers interest rates by 0.25 percentage points

The police operation was one of the most violent in Brazil’s recent history, with human rights organizations calling for investigations into the deaths.

Rio de Janeiro

Raid on Rio drug trafficking gang leaves at least 64 dead

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday after ripping through Jamaica. CBS News' Jarred Hill has more details.

Havana

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba after slamming Jamaica

U.S. President Donald Trump landed in South Korea on Wednesday (October 29) for the final leg of his Asia trip, optimistic about striking a trade war truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping after summit talks with South Korea's Lee Jae Myung.

Busan

Trump lands in South Korea, hopes to strike deal with China's Xi

The U.S. Embassy in Mali is urging all American citizens to leave the country immediately, warning of rising terror threats and a worsening fuel crisis caused by a jihadi blockade.

Bamako

U.S. Embassy urges Americans to leave Mali immediately

Israeli planes launched strikes in Gaza on Tuesday (October 28) after Israel accused the militant group Hamas of violating a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, marking the latest test of a fragile deal brokered earlier this month by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Jerusalem

Israel strikes Gaza after accusing Hamas of violating ceasefire

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on Tuesday (October 28) that the artificial intelligence chip leader will build seven new supercomputers for the U.S. Department of Energy, and said the company has $500 billion in bookings for its AI chips.

Nvidia will build AI supercomputers for U.S. Energy Department

25 states are suing the Trump administration to stop federal food aid from being suspended amid the government shutdown. All but two of those states, Nevada and Vermont, have a democratic governor.

25 states sue Trump administration over SNAP food stamp funding freeze

A federal judge is ordering a top Border Patrol official in charge of operations in Chicago to give nightly reports to the court after agents were accused of potentially violating limits on their arrest and crowd control tactics.

Chicago

Judge admonishes ICE leader in Chicago after violations

The U.S. military struck four more alleged drug vessels on Monday, killing at least 14 people and leaving one survivor. It marks the 11th time in under two months the U.S. has carried out strikes on vessels allegedly trafficking narcotics.

Caracas

Latest U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats kill at least 14 people

Major League Baseball says it's weighing a ban on all prop betting, which is a wager on an individual player or event that isn't necessarily tied to the outcome.

Los Angeles

MLB weighing ban on all prop betting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has ordered the military to carry out powerful strikes on the Gaza Strip. This comes after Israel accused Hamas of violating their fragile peace deal by returning the wrong remains of a hostage.

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu orders strikes on Gaza over wrong hostage remains

Hurricane Melissa, a massive Category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica, barreling in from the Atlantic with 185 mph sustained winds, the National Hurricane Center said. CBS News meteorologist Jessica Burch has more.

Kingston

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica

The ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations and China signed an upgrade to their free trade agreement, which includes sections on digital, the green economy and other new industries, Beijing's Commerce Ministry said.

Kuala Lumpur

Global Tariffs

China and ASEAN, hit by U.S. tariffs, sign upgraded free trade pact

President Trump met with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday and signed a trade agreement that the countries made over the summer. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

Tokyo

Trump touts trade deals with Japan, heaps praise on new prime minister

Argentina's president, Javier Milei's party, has won a decisive victory in Sunday's mid-term elections. The vote is seen as a support for his economic reforms and drastic austerity measures. In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump had pledged a 40-billion-dollar bailout to bolster Argentina's failing economy and had endorsed Milei publicly.

Buenos Aires

Argentine markets jump after Milei party victory

Venezuela is accusing the U.S. of preparing a false flag attack as the U.S. continues to escalate its military presence in the Caribbean after carrying out multiple deadly strikes on boats the Trump administration said were carrying drugs.

Venezuela accuses U.S. of preparing false flag attack

U.S. President Donald Trump declined to meet with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney as trade tensions linger, while China and the United States moved toward easing tariffs.

China urges free trade amid U.S. tariff talks at ASEAN summit

Ten people are on trial in Paris for spreading false rumors about French first lady Brigitte Macron’s gender and personal life. The case, involving influencers and online figures, comes as the Macrons also pursue legal action in the U.S. over similar attacks spread by far-right media.

Paris

Brigitte Macron harassment trial opens in Paris

Millions of Americans are set to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and federal food aid starting Nov. 1 as the government shutdown continues, according to a post on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website.

Millions of Americans set to lose SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1

The USS Gravely docked in Trinidad and Tobago as the Trump administration signals possible land strikes against Venezuela. CBS News national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata has more details.

Breakdown