Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro rejected a “slave’s peace” amid escalating US pressure, accusing Washington of testing the nation with a prolonged naval deployment. Reports suggest President Trump issued an ultimatum for Maduro to step down, which was reportedly refused. The US has intensified military pressure in the Caribbean, with strikes targeting suspected drug-carrying boats.

A US appeals court on Monday struck down an attempt by President Donald Trump to bypass the customary Senate confirmation process and appoint his former personal lawyer to a post as a top federal prosecutor.

A son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin “El Chapo” pleaded guilty Monday to US drug trafficking charges, months after his brother entered a plea deal.