INTERNACIONAL
Hegseth hints at major defense spending hike, reveals new details on Trump’s anti-narco-terrorism operations
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth offered new details Saturday about how he personally authorized the Trump administration’s first strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel off Venezuela on Sept. 2, telling Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson he watched the strike live in the Pentagon after giving the green light.
Earlier in his keynote remarks, Hegseth declared that President Donald Trump is the true heir to Ronald Reagan’s «peace through strength» doctrine, accusing past bipartisan leaders of drifting into endless wars.
After his speech, Hegseth sat down with Tomlinson for a Q&A that revealed new details about the Sept. 2 operation, which he said was the first in a series of more than 20 U.S. strikes targeting cartel-linked narco-terrorist networks across the Caribbean.
He also sharply rejected reporting that he had instructed U.S. forces to kill all individuals on the boat.
AS TRUMP’S STANDOFF WITH MADURO DEEPENS, EXPERTS WARN THE NEXT MOVE MAY FORCE A SHOWDOWN
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gives a speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum Saturday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. (Caylo Seals/Getty Images)
«(Is) anybody here from The Washington Post? I don’t know where you get your sources, but they suck,» Hegseth said when asked if he had ever issued such an order. «Of course not … you don’t walk in and say, ‘Kill them.’ It’s just patently ridiculous.»
Hegseth also said it took «a couple of weeks, almost a month» to build the intelligence required for the first strike. He said the Pentagon had to reorient assets that had been focused «10,000 miles around the other side of the world for a very long time.»
He kept strike authority at his level only for the initial operation due to its «strategic implications.»
CAPITOL HILL REVOLT THREATENS TRUMP’S VENEZUELA PLAYBOOK AMID CARIBBEAN STRIKE OVERSIGHT
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers the keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum Saturday, in Simi Valley, Calif. (Fox News/Pool)
«The briefing that I received before that strike was extensive, exhaustive,» he said. «Military side, on the civilian side, lawyers, intel analysts, red-teaming … all the details you need to strike a designated terrorist organization.»
Hegseth said the target was part of an organization President Trump had formally designated as a terrorist group.
«My job was to say execute or don’t execute,» he said.
He approved the strike.
HEGSETH TO HIGHLIGHT REBUILDING THE ‘ARSENAL OF FREEDOM’ IN SPEECH AT REAGAN NATIONAL DEFENSE FORUM
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers the keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum Saturday, in Simi Valley, Calif. (Fox News/Pool)
According to Hegseth, he viewed the mission feed «for probably five minutes or so» before moving to other tasks once the strike shifted to tactical execution.
Hours later, Hegseth said he was informed by commanders that a second strike was necessary.
«There had to be a re-attack, because there were a couple of folks that could still be in the fight,» he said, citing access to radios, a possible link-up point with another boat and remaining drugs on board.
«I fully support that strike,» he said. «I would have made the same call myself.»
He added that secondary attacks are common in combat zones and fell «well within the authorities of Adm. Bradley,» who now oversees strike decisions. Hegseth said he no longer retains approval authority for subsequent missions.
Addressing questions about survivor protocols, Hegseth pointed to a later incident involving a semi-submersible drug vessel.
«In that particular case, the first strike didn’t take it out, and a couple of guys jumped off and swam,» he said. After the vessel was struck again and sank, U.S. forces retrieved the survivors.
«We gave them back to their host countries,» he said, adding that the situation «didn’t change our protocol» but reflected different circumstances.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS BACK TRUMP’S VENEZUELA MOVES FOR NOW AS ESCALATION UNCERTAINTY LOOMS
Fox News Channel’s Shannon Bream interviews Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought at the Reagan National Defense Forum Saturday in Simi Valley, Calif. (Fox News)
Hegseth argued that the operations have already had a deterrent effect.
«We’re putting them at the bottom of the Caribbean. … It will make the American people safer,» Hegseth said.
Tomlinson pressed Hegseth on President Trump’s public statement that he did not oppose releasing the unredacted video of the first strike.
«We’re reviewing it right now,» Hegseth said, citing concerns over «sources, methods» and ongoing operations.
Hegseth said defense spending is one of the issues that «keeps [him] up,» adding he was recently in Oval Office meetings about the fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 budgets.
Asked directly whether defense spending as a share of GDP will rise, he replied, «I think that number is going up,» while declining to get ahead of President Trump.
«We need a revived defense industrial base,» he said. «We need those capabilities. We need them yesterday.»
Tomlinson also asked whether Hegseth regretted using Signal ahead of combat operations in Yemen, referencing a recently closed inspector general review.
«I don’t live with any regrets,» Hegseth said. «I know exactly where my compass is on our troops.» He argued that morale has surged under Trump.
«The revival of the spirit inside our military … the desire to join and reenlist is at historic levels,» he said.
Asked whether he prefers troops equipped with more AI-enabled tools or autonomous systems replacing them, Hegseth said the modern battlefield requires both.
«It has to be both,» he said. «What AI is doing to ten, 100, 1,000 times the speed of sensing … is critical.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Tomlinson ended with a traditional Reagan Forum question, asking who Hegseth wants to win the Army–Navy game.
«Well, I’m with Navy,» he said, before adding that the Marine Corps «stood strong» during political «nonsense» in recent years.
pete hegseth,defense,military,politics,caribbean region
INTERNACIONAL
Panamá se ofreció a recibir a miembros de la dictadura de Nicolás Maduro para facilitar una transición en Venezuela
Panamá afirmó que está dispuesto a asumir un papel de mediación entre Estados Unidos y Venezuela en un contexto marcado por el incremento de la presión internacional sobre el régimen de Nicolás Maduro.
El vicecanciller panameño, Carlos Hoyos, explicó que el país centroamericano analiza opciones para facilitar un canal diplomático directo entre Washington y Caracas, incluida la posibilidad de brindar acogida temporal a personas vinculadas al entorno de Maduro, como parte de un eventual proceso de negociación.
“El presidente José Raúl Mulino ha sido claro en que, si se requiere recibir a ciertos actores para facilitar un acuerdo, Panamá estaría dispuesto a evaluarlo de forma temporal”, declaró Hoyos durante su participación en el Foro de Doha.
Las declaraciones se producen meses después de que ambos países reactivaran parcialmente los servicios consulares, un vínculo que había quedado en pausa tras las objeciones de Panamá a las elecciones presidenciales venezolanas de 2024.
En aquel proceso, Maduro fue declarado vencedor en medio de denuncias de manipulación electoral. Estados Unidos y varios gobiernos de la región cuestionaron la transparencia de los resultados, mientras la oposición venezolana argumentó que el proceso se desarrolló sin garantías.
El incremento de tensiones también coincide con el despliegue de unidades militares estadounidenses en el Caribe. Washington sostiene que la operación busca frenar redes de narcotráfico, pero la dictadura chavista afirma que se trata de una maniobra que podría servir como plataforma para acciones orientadas a forzar un cambio político.
En una declaración reciente, Maduro aseguró que “Venezuela enfrenta una amenaza inaceptable” y acusó a Estados Unidos de promover “una política de presión permanente”.
A esto se suma el aviso emitido por la Administración Federal de Aviación de Estados Unidos, que instó a las aerolíneas a extremar la precaución durante vuelos sobre Venezuela y áreas del sur del Caribe.
El comunicado advirtió sobre un “entorno operativo impredecible” en la región, lo que generó efectos inmediatos en la conectividad aérea hacia y desde el país sudamericano, ya afectado por restricciones previas.
Panamá observa estos desarrollos con preocupación, en particular por la posible repercusión en el Canal, uno de los principales corredores marítimos del comercio global.
Hoyos recalcó que cualquier hecho que altere la estabilidad regional podría afectar el tránsito seguro.
“El Canal es crítico para el comercio internacional y para nuestra economía. Una interrupción tendría efectos globales”, explicó.
Autoridades panameñas han recordado que cada año la vía genera ingresos esenciales para el presupuesto estatal y sostiene una porción significativa del movimiento marítimo entre Asia, Norteamérica y Europa.
Respecto al papel de Estados Unidos en la protección de la vía interoceánica, Hoyos sostuvo que ambos países mantienen coordinación técnica constante.
“Estados Unidos siempre ha mostrado interés en garantizar que el Canal opere sin interrupciones”, afirmó.
Agregó que Panamá preserva el principio de neutralidad establecido por los tratados que regulan el funcionamiento de la ruta marítima.
Las relaciones entre Washington y Panamá habían sufrido fricciones a comienzos de año tras declaraciones del presidente Donald Trump, quien comentó que su administración buscaría “revisar la situación del Canal”.
Aquellas palabras generaron inquietud política dentro de Panamá, pero Hoyos señaló que el episodio quedó atrás.
“Ese impás está totalmente superado. Hoy las conversaciones se concentran en comercio, migración y seguridad”, dijo.
Funcionarios estadounidenses han reiterado en múltiples ocasiones que su interés principal consiste en mantener el funcionamiento estable de la vía.
Las autoridades panameñas esperan que la mediación contribuya a evitar un deterioro mayor en la relación entre Estados Unidos y Venezuela.
Según Hoyos, cualquier incidente de carácter militar en el Caribe tendría consecuencias inmediatas en la región. La postura de Panamá busca reducir la incertidumbre en un escenario donde se combinan tensiones geopolíticas, disputas electorales en Venezuela y decisiones de seguridad adoptadas por Estados Unidos.
(Con información de EFE)
Diplomacy / Foreign Policy,North America,NEW YORK CITY
INTERNACIONAL
Nigeria secures release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from Catholic school after weeks in captivity
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The government of Nigeria has secured the release of the 100 schoolchildren who were abducted last month, according to local media.
The children were taken from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state, on Nov. 21. The release was announced by local broadcaster Channels Television on Sunday.
The news comes as Christians continue to face persecution in Nigeria, which has led President Donald Trump to declare the West African nation a «country of particular concern.»
In November, the BBC reported that as many as 303 children were kidnapped from the school, citing the superior general of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), Mary Barron.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EXPANDS EFFORTS TO STOP CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA WITH AID THREAT
A classroom at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger state, on Nov. 23, 2025. (Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye / AFP via Getty Images)
The nun said the students were «tiny,» and as young as 6 years old.
According to Barron, 50 of the students escaped over that weekend.
«They said they walked and walked, because they knew they couldn’t walk back to the school, so they just kept walking until they found something familiar,» she said.
ALL 24 KIDNAPPED NIGERIAN SCHOOLGIRLS RESCUED AFTER ARMED ATTACK IN KEBBI, PRESIDENT SAYS
Belongings are seen outside a student dormitory at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger state, on Nov. 23, 2025. (Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye/AFP via Getty Images)
Two hundred fifty-three students and 12 teachers are currently in captivity. It is unclear how many will be held after the release goes through.
Soon after the kidnappings, Trump told Fox News Radio that the Nigerian government had «done nothing» to stop the killings.
«I’m really angry about it,» he said on Nov. 23. «What’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace.»
At the time, War Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Nigerian national security advisor Nuhu Ribadu and discussed cutting off aid to Nigeria if it «continues to allow the killing of Christians.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
A signboard for St. Mary’s Private Catholic Secondary School stands at the entrance of the school in Papiri on Nov. 23, 2025. (Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye/AFP via Getty Images)
«Hegseth emphasized the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians and conveyed the Department’s desire to work by, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States,» the Pentagon said in a statement.
Reuters and Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf, Stephen Sorace and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
world,crime,africa,christianity religion,religion,persecutions
INTERNACIONAL
Aumenta la incertidumbre: a una semana de las elecciones, Honduras sigue sin saber quién será el próximo presidente
Incertidumbre y mucha suspicacia
Nasry Asfura, candidato del Partido Nacional, el día de la votación. Foto AP
Panamá se ofreció a recibir a miembros de la dictadura de Nicolás Maduro para facilitar una transición en Venezuela
El emotivo cumpleaños de Gustavo Yankelevich: “Mi corazón está con Romina y Mila”
Inflación de noviembre: esta semana sale el dato, pero ya hay un pronóstico del número
Marcelo Gallo-Tagle: “El poder político busca eliminar al Poder Judicial, domesticarlo”
Gaza: Benjamín Netanyahu acelera la segunda fase de la tregua y viaja a Estados Unidos por apoyo político
Un fallo porteño ordena a una agencia de viajes que deje de promocionar las islas Malvinas como británicas
El irónico cruce entre Florencia Carignano y Virginia Gallardo por su vestimenta en la jura de Diputados
Javier Milei: “Me contrataron para resolver problemas, si no lo hago estaría bien que no me renueven el contrato”
Los documentos que desnudan la gestión económica de la AFA y dejan $66.000 millones sin explicar
Luto en la ficción, murió a los 45 años una de las actrices más queridas tras luchar contra el cáncer: «Criscilla Anderson»
POLITICA1 día agoEl curioso sticker pegado en uno de los aviones F-16 y la explicación oficial: “En honor al Presidente”
- CHIMENTOS3 días ago
Sabrina Rojas dijo lo peor de Pampita al aire por error y murió de vergüenza: “Está muy…”
- DEPORTE23 horas ago
Inter Miami de Lionel Messi y Rodrigo de Paul venció 3-1 a Vancouver y es campeón de la MLS Cup
