Monthly Archives: October 2025

celebrity, entertainment, relationships

50 Cent goes at Kayla Nicole, says he’d attend Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce’s wedding

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50 Cent has never been one to stay quiet, and his latest comments prove it. The rap icon recently spoke with ExtraTV about Taylor Swift mentioning him on her new album, *The Life of a Showgirl*, and made it clear he approves of her relationship with Travis Kelce, according to PEOPLE.

“I would make my way over there,” 50 Cent said with a grin when asked if he would attend Swift and Kelce’s wedding. “I like the team, you know, I like the whole thing.”

Swift’s track “Ruin the Friendship,” which dropped on October 3, features a line referencing a “50 Cent song” playing in the background of a moment she wished had gone differently. She sings, “Should’ve kissed you anyway, would’ve been the best mistake.”

When the album launched, 50 Cent celebrated the shoutout on Instagram, writing, “THIS IS FOR BIG TIMERS ONLY!” alongside the *Showgirl* album art.

### 50 Cent Praises Swift and Kelce, Shades Kayla Nicole

In his interview with Extra’s Mona Kosar Abdi, the *Get Rich or Die Tryin’* star explained that the lyric meant more than just a casual mention.

“It really is cool because when she makes the reference, if you listen to the song, it’s to what was going on in culture at that time,” he said. “The music, you couldn’t miss it. No one was more prominent in music at that point.”

50 Cent then gave Swift and Kelce his approval, stating, “I like it a lot better than the last thing he had going on. It’s a lot better.”

Though 50 never mentioned her name directly, fans quickly caught that the “last thing” referred to Kayla Nicole, Kelce’s ex-girlfriend of five years. Nicole and Kelce dated from 2017 to 2022, and her name has resurfaced frequently since Swift and Kelce began dating.

Despite the lingering attention, 50 made it clear he is a fan of the new couple.

### Would 50 Cent Collaborate with Taylor Swift?

When asked if he would ever collaborate with Swift, 50 Cent said the decision would depend on her.

“You’d have to ask her,” he explained. “If she had a song that made sense for my voice, I’d be open.”

It looks like even 50 Cent—known for his fearless takes and clever wordplay—is cheering on one of pop culture’s biggest love stories.
https://clutchpoints.com/celebrity/50-cent-goes-at-kayla-nicole-says-hed-attend-taylor-swift-travis-kelces-wedding

business, environment, local, media, social

NYC sidewalk shed that earned ‘worst’ award taken down after nearly 20 years – and locals are throwing a ‘party’

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The owner of an Upper West Side apartment building finally removed its longtime sidewalk shed Monday after nearly two decades, and neighbors are shedding no tears.

The infamous green blight at 51 West 86th St. was even awarded the title of the Worst Sidewalk Shed on the West Side at Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Micah Lasher’s inaugural “Sheddie Awards” this spring.

“It’s been up for a very long time, so the building’s very excited,” resident Omet Hit told The Post. The 31-year-old tech worker added, “There’s so much of it,” referring to the scaffolding that covers much of the Upper West Side. “Then it’s like a whole new world when it’s finally gone.”

“Now it’s so exciting. It’s so beautiful, it’s so open,” Hit said. “It’s like a new breath of fresh air. We had champagne already… but I think there’s going to be a party.”

“We’re organizing a big party,” confirmed another building resident who declined to share her name. “It’s a disease in this city—scaffolding—and there’s more of it there [across the street]; ours was up the longest.”

An 11-year resident of the building added, “I was actually gone for the Jewish holidays for a full month, and I had to come around again because I just didn’t recognize the building. It’s great. I think everybody’s going to be happier, and it’s nice and clean.”

The scaffolding and netting that had covered the area since 2020 came down four months ago, the West Side Rag first reported. The building’s notorious shed was erected in 2006. It is owned by Weinreb Management, which did not return a request for comment on Thursday.

In 2022, Weinreb Management was sued by the city for hundreds of building violations, including fire safety issues and “failing to correct hazardous facade defects,” following a tragic fire at another Weinreb-owned building in the Bronx that killed 17 residents.

According to the lawsuit, “Defendants have displayed a pattern of failing to correct hazardous façade defects at their buildings: rather than taking corrective action, Defendants have allowed their buildings to deteriorate to the point where they pose an imminent threat to the health and safety of the tenants and the public.”

The 51 West 86th St. building was issued two violations cited in the 2022 lawsuit, including faulty sprinklers and alarm systems, as well as missing fire extinguishers.

This litigation was part of the city’s Long Standing Sheds program, which sought to compel owner Jacob Weinreb “to make needed repairs across 11 of their buildings, several of which had long-standing sidewalk sheds,” a Department of Buildings (DOB) representative told The Post.

Weinreb Management has been “making progress on these repairs and have already resolved hundreds of open violations across their portfolio of buildings,” the DOB confirmed, including the façade repairs finally made to 51 West 86th St.

“Through an affirmative litigation case brought by our partners at the Law Department, we were able to compel the owners of this property to finally make needed façade repairs and return the valuable sidewalk space in front of the building back to the public,” said Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo.

Longtime resident Ellen expressed mixed emotions: “Everybody’s so happy, and everybody is so mad that it took this long. I’m very grateful that the city sued because that’s what really got things going… and after that, I think Weinreb Management company had no choice but to respond, obviously, and they did. I hope it’s a model.”

The oldest current sidewalk sheds in New York City date back to 2010 and can be found at a pair of apartment buildings in Yorkville and the East Village, according to a Post analysis of Buildings records. They are part of 10 buildings across the city that still have scaffolding at least a decade old.

“It’s [scaffolding] clearly out of hand,” added the unnamed 11-year resident of 51 West 86th St. “The city’s beautiful, and I hope we can see more of it.”
https://nypost.com/2025/10/23/us-news/nyc-sidewalk-shed-that-earned-worst-award-taken-down-after-nearly-20-years-and-locals-are-throwing-a-party/

basketball, sports

Lakers Coach Gives Key Austin Reaves Injury Update

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is dealing with ankle discomfort but is expected to play Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, coach JJ Redick told reporters after Thursday’s practice.

“I know Austin and I expect him to play,” Redick said, per Lakers insider Jovan Buha. Reaves was a modified participant in the Lakers’ practice after he shone in their season-opening 119-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers guard put up 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, along with nine assists and five rebounds, showing his growing confidence and importance to the team’s offense. Despite the ankle discomfort, Reaves has a knack for playing through pain.

In one of their preseason matches against the Warriors, Reaves survived an injury scare after he collided with Golden State guard Brandin Podziemski.

“[Reaves] got kneed in the posterior anterior calf or somewhere around there,” Redick said at the time. “I think he just took a knee to his lower leg muscle. I think he’s fine.”

In the season opener, the Lakers — behind Luka Dončić and Reaves — were competitive despite missing LeBron James, who is still recovering from sciatica, until the third quarter.

### Reaves Addresses Lakers’ Ongoing Third-Quarter Struggles

Even after his strong performance, Reaves expressed frustration with a familiar issue: the Lakers’ inability to maintain intensity after halftime.

“We’ve just been bad in the third quarter,” Reaves said after the loss. “Last couple of years for sure, but I think ever since I’ve been here, we’ve had a problem with the third quarter. So, we’ve got to figure out a way to come out with a little more energy.”

Redick addressed the same concern postgame, challenging his players to take responsibility. Reaves agreed.

“That’s on us players, not the coaches,” Reaves said. “They come in here and give us the answers to the test, and we just didn’t come out and execute. We have to be better.”

The Lakers will have a chance to respond Friday in a playoff rematch against the Timberwolves — the team that eliminated them in five games in last season’s first round.

### Contract Year Adds High Stakes to Reaves’ Season

Reaves, 27, entered the season with more than just on-court motivation. He’s playing the final guaranteed year of his four-year, $54 million contract, which includes a $14.8 million player option for next season — one he is widely expected to decline.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently reported there is “a 0.0% chance” Reaves signs an extension and a “99.9% chance” he opts out of his deal next summer.

“Reaves has one of the best value contracts in the NBA,” Windhorst wrote, explaining that current extension rules cap his raise at 140% of his existing salary, or roughly $89 million over four years — far below his expected market value.

The Lakers have full Bird rights on Reaves, meaning they can offer him any salary up to the max to retain him, but competition is looming.

### Reaves Drawing Interest From Multiple Teams

According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike on The Zach Lowe Show podcast, Reaves is already drawing interest from rival teams preparing “lucrative offers” potentially exceeding $40 million per year.

According to ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks, there will be about 10 teams projected to have significant cap space next summer.

“If he has a good year, he could be a fringe All-Star candidate for sure,” Lowe said. “And honestly, the max is not out of the question.”

Woike added that with the expected cap spike, Reaves’ maximum salary offer from another team could start around $42 million per year.

“It’s him and Trae Young — those are the free agents everyone’s watching,” Woike said.

### Rising Star With Higher Stakes Ahead

Reaves’ rise from undrafted rookie to potential nine-figure free agent has made him one of the NBA’s most intriguing stories entering the 2025 season.

His mix of shooting, playmaking, and poise has made him a cornerstone of Redick’s new system and a priority for the Lakers to keep long-term.

For now, Reaves’ focus remains on the floor. Despite the ankle discomfort, he’s expected to suit up Friday, continuing to prove his value on both ends.

If his early-season form continues, Reaves won’t just be one of the Lakers’ most important players — he could be one of the NBA’s most expensive free agents by next summer.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/los-angeles-lakers/reaves-injury-update-2/

politics, survey, voting

More than 6 in 10 plan to vote for California redistricting plan: Survey

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More than six in 10 Californian voters plan to support an upcoming redistricting plan, according to a new poll.

In the CBS News/YouGov poll released Wednesday, 62 percent of respondents said they would vote “yes” on Proposition 50 if the election happened on the day they responded. Meanwhile, 38 percent said they would vote “no.”

These results indicate strong voter support for the measure ahead of the upcoming election.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5570623-california-voters-support-redistricting-poll/

death, entertainment

KISS co-founders Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss attend Ace Frehley’s private funeral

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Ace Frehley Laid to Rest in Private New York Ceremony

Ace Frehley, the co-founder and original guitarist of the legendary rock band KISS, has been laid to rest. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was buried in his hometown of New York City on Wednesday, during a solemn ceremony attended by close friends, family, and his former bandmates Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss.

SiriusXM host Eddie Trunk shared the news on Instagram following the service, writing, “Ace Frehley has now been laid to rest in Bronx, NY. It has been an emotional couple of days to say the least, saying farewell to a rock icon and long-time friend.” He added that the intimate gatherings went as well as could be expected and were attended by a small group of family and close friends, including the three surviving original members of KISS.

In a video shared on social media, Trunk further reflected on the private memorial and funeral. “Of course, where he grew up, very close to where his parents were buried, which were his wishes,” he explained regarding Frehley’s decision to be buried in the Bronx. “It was not a big event by any means. Nothing with fans or anything like that, just a very small private service for Ace. And it was attended by the three surviving members of KISS – Gene, Paul, and Peter.”

Trunk, who has been a longtime friend of Frehley’s, described the gathering as “wonderful to celebrate Ace and remember him and give him a good sendoff.” He also revealed plans to organize a fan tribute concert to honor the guitar legend, saying, “I think he’d love that and I think he deserves that.”

Ace Frehley passed away on October 16 in Morristown, New Jersey, at the age of 74. Although the cause of death has not been officially disclosed, his representative Lori Lousararian attributed it to a “recent fall at his home.”

In a heartfelt statement, Frehley’s loved ones expressed their sorrow: “We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension.”

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley also paid tribute to their late bandmate in an emotional joint message: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique, and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”

Prior to his passing, it was reported that Frehley had been placed on life support with a brain bleed following a fall he suffered weeks earlier in his studio. The “New York Groove” artist had referenced the incident last month when he canceled a performance in California due to “a minor fall in his studio” that required a hospital visit. Subsequently, he canceled the remaining dates of his 2025 tour, citing “ongoing medical issues” stemming from the fall.

Known by the nicknames “Spaceman” and “Space Ace,” Frehley co-founded KISS in 1973 alongside Simmons, Stanley, and Criss. Although he left the band in 1982 to pursue a successful solo career, he reunited with KISS for a 1996 tour and remained with them until 2002.

In August, KISS made headlines when they were announced as 2025 Kennedy Center honorees. Reflecting on the honor at the time, Frehley told TMZ, “A dream come true that I never thought would materialize.”

Following Frehley’s death, Simmons lamented that his friend would not be able to attend the awards ceremony. “Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on,” he wrote on X last week. “No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Center Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”

Ace Frehley’s contributions to rock music and KISS’s enduring legacy will be remembered by fans and fellow musicians alike for generations to come.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/23/entertainment/kiss-co-founders-attend-ace-frehleys-private-funeral/

football, sports

Chargers elevate RBs Nyheim Hines and Jaret Patterson to active roster for tonight

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The Chargers are currently short on running backs, prompting them to make roster adjustments ahead of tonight’s game against the Vikings.

Practice squad running backs Nyheim Hines and Jaret Patterson were both elevated to the active roster just four hours before kickoff. Prior to these moves, the Chargers had only two running backs on their 53-player roster: Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins.

With the additions of Hines and Patterson, the Chargers now have four running backs available for tonight’s matchup against the Vikings.

Notably, Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris—who would typically be the team’s top two running backs if healthy—are both currently on injured reserve.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/chargers-elevate-rbs-nyheim-hines-and-jaret-patterson-to-active-roster-for-tonight

sports

Giants veterans tell Jaxson Dart to ‘stick close’ in Philadelphia debut

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The New York Giants face one of their most important games of the season in Week 8. New York heads to Philadelphia with a chance to sweep their division rival in front of the Eagles’ home crowd.

Giants veterans are making sure that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is ready for his first road game in Philadelphia. Giants receiver Darius Slayton warned that Dart is about to receive some hate from Eagles fans this weekend.

“Yeah, I mean, if he didn’t have any haters, he’ll find where they all live,’’ Slayton said, as reported by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post. “He’s about to get introduced to all of ’em.’’

Tight end Daniel Bellinger also advised Dart to “stick close” to his teammates when playing in Philly. “You know you got to stick close to your brothers in the locker room, just kind of stay as tight as one group because that team and that fan base, they’re going to get a little gritty on the sidelines,’’ Bellinger added. “I would tell him, ‘Listen, focus on you, focus on the team and stick together and not worry about the outside noise.’”

The Giants at Eagles matchup is expected to be one of the best games on the Week 8 slate.

### Jaxson Dart Looking Forward to Playing the Villain in Philadelphia

Despite the warnings from New York’s veterans about the hostile environment, Dart is undeterred. The rookie quarterback expressed excitement about taking in the “hostility” when playing in Philly this Sunday.

“Yeah it’s going to be intense for sure,” Dart said on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. “I can’t wait to go out there and compete and kind of feel like the hostility in the air. The rivalry between the two organizations—it’s going to be really cool.”

Dart also admitted he is looking forward to embracing the villain role this weekend in Philadelphia.

“Yeah I think a little bit,” Dart concluded. “I think anybody finds it enjoyable when you’re able to win games on the road. That’s something that we haven’t done yet, so we’re still chasing that and I’m just excited for the environment.”

Now, the question becomes whether Dart will end up eating his words.

The Giants at Eagles game kicks off at 1 PM ET on Sunday.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-york-giants/giants-news-ny-veterans-jaxson-dart-stick-close-philadelphia-debut

business, economy, finance, international, technology

CZ Reveals Real Reason Tokenized Gold Has Not Taken Off

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**Changpeng Zhao (CZ) Responds to Peter Schiff’s Tokenized Gold Plans**

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder and former CEO of Binance, has recently commented on Peter Schiff’s announcement regarding a tokenized gold product. Schiff, a well-known gold proponent, is making a notable pivot by embracing blockchain technology to tokenize gold, aiming to make it more accessible and transferable. However, CZ remains skeptical about the idea.

### CZ Critiques the Tokenized Gold Concept

For years, Peter Schiff has dismissed Bitcoin (BTC), even recently forecasting an imminent crash in its price. Now, with his plans to create a tokenized gold product, he appears to be adopting blockchain technology—albeit for gold rather than cryptocurrencies.

CZ’s response, however, was a pointed critique of what he sees as a mismatch between hype and reality. He clarified that his criticism was not aimed at gold itself, but at the tokenization model. According to CZ, tokenized gold often amounts to little more than a digital claim on physical gold held by a central custodian. In other words, individuals do not truly hold gold “on-chain.” Instead, it resembles a bank promise to return deposits.

The risk lies in trusting the issuer: if they go bankrupt, get hacked, or change ownership, the guarantees tied to these tokens could fail. While physical gold endures through time, CZ pointed out, such promises may not. He questioned whether a third party could reliably deliver on their commitments years down the line, especially amid wars and economic disruptions.

Describing the proposed product as a “trust me bro” token, CZ suggested this inherent trust risk explains why no tokenized gold project has truly taken off. This touches on a broader debate about blockchain’s promise. Schiff’s approach offers convenience with a gold twist, but CZ reminds the community that true innovation in blockchain lies in removing the need to outsource trust.

### Peter Schiff Faces Additional Criticism Following Gold’s Price Drop

Meanwhile, Peter Schiff has come under more fire within the cryptocurrency ecosystem after gold prices plunged to record lows on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

A report by U.Today highlighted commentary from veteran crypto trader Peter Brandt, who took a playful jab at Schiff. Brandt shared a historical chart illustrating that gold investors have endured a difficult journey, often facing deep and long-lasting consolidations over the years. Despite this, gold has averaged a modest annual return of 3.6% over the past 45 years.

Interestingly, Schiff had predicted earlier this month that gold could soar to $6,000 by Christmas, outperforming both Bitcoin and the S&P 500. Contradicting this forecast, gold’s price dipped below $4,100 on Wednesday, fueling recent skepticism and criticism.

On the other hand, Bitcoin continues to experience volatility but is showing signs of recovery. Over the past 24 hours, BTC’s price marginally increased by 1.17%, reaching $109,629.

—

As Schiff ventures deeper into blockchain-based gold products, the debate on trust, innovation, and the future of tokenized assets is sure to intensify. Meanwhile, market movements keep testing the forecasts of both gold and cryptocurrencies alike.
https://u.today/cz-reveals-real-reason-tokenized-gold-has-not-taken-off

business, finance, politics

‘The Epstein Ballroom’ Is Getting Funded By Tech Bribes

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Turns out, it’s not just “patriot donors” funding the new White House ballroom — tech giant Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube, is chipping in, too. CNBC reports that the company is contributing $22 million to the $250 million project, with the money routed through a legal settlement reached last month over Trump’s YouTube ban following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The Google-owned platform froze Trump’s account in the riot’s aftermath, warning his posts could spark further violence. Trump later sued, claiming censorship and wrongful suspension. Under the Oakland, California, federal court settlement, nearly 10% of the ballroom’s estimated construction costs will now come from Alphabet.

CNBC reports the money will be donated on Trump’s behalf “to the Trust for the National Mall, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity dedicated to restoring, preserving, and elevating the National Mall, to support the construction of the White House State Ballroom.”

Images of cranes tearing into the East Wing to make way for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom sparked public backlash this week and raised fresh questions about who is footing the bill. Trump has repeatedly insisted the project is privately funded and will cost taxpayers nothing.

“For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway—with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!” Trump wrote on Monday on Truth Social.

Trump has pledged some of his own money to the project, and other donors include Lockheed Martin, reportedly contributing more than $10 million. Tech companies are also pitching in: Beyond the settlement contribution, Google is committing at least $5 million. Comcast—parent company of CNBC—is also listed as a donor, though the amount is unknown. The company will spin off CNBC later this year under a new parent, Versant.

The project has drawn scrutiny from Treasury Department employees, whose offices overlook the demolition site. The department has barred staff from sharing images of the work, citing security concerns, though critics argue transparency is vital for public oversight.

The East Wing’s demolition, including the removal of historic elements like trees and architectural details, has fueled complaints that the project is far more than a simple upgrade—it represents a substantial transformation of one of the nation’s most symbolic spaces.

Preservationists are weighing in as well. On Tuesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation sent a letter urging a pause on demolition until proper public review processes are completed. Carol Quillen, National Trust’s president and CEO, stressed that while a larger meeting space may be useful, the scale and height of the proposed ballroom could “overwhelm the White House itself” and disrupt its classical design.

She called for consultations with the relevant review agencies and public input to ensure the project respects the historic significance of the building and its grounds.

“The National Trust stands ready to assist the White House, the National Park Service, and relevant review agencies in exploring design alternatives and modifications that would accomplish the objectives of the Administration while preserving the historic integrity and symbolism of the People’s House,” Quillen added.

Trump has insisted the ballroom “won’t interfere with the current building.”

“It’ll be near it but not touching it, and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” he said in July. But that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that the White House has decided it would be “cheaper and more structurally sound to demolish the East Wing” rather than build an addition. The full demolition is expected to be finished by this weekend.

The White House has also dismissed criticism, comparing the project to minor modifications under former President Barack Obama, such as adding basketball lines and baskets to the tennis courts. But those changes were far less disruptive than dismantling the East Wing.

With Alphabet, Lockheed Martin, and other major donors helping foot the bill, Trump is moving full steam ahead on a ballroom he says will be “happily used for generations to come,” promising a mix of private financing and personal investment.

The project underscores Trump’s ongoing fascination with leaving a permanent mark on the White House, turning construction into both a legacy project and a showcase for corporate support.
https://crooksandliars.com/2025/10/what-trump-calls-donors-are-actually

government, international, law, military, politics

‘We’ve lived this nightmare before’: Foreign lawmakers unite against Trump ‘catastrophe’

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Dozens of political leaders throughout Latin America are condemning US President Donald Trump’s recent boat-bombing campaign, which began in the Caribbean last month and has since spread to the Pacific Ocean.

In a letter posted by Progressive International on its X account, Latin American leaders from across the region expressed deep concern over Trump’s extrajudicial killings of alleged drug traffickers. They warned that this campaign threatens peace and stability in Latin America and could serve as a pretext for further military intervention in the region.

“The Trump administration is escalating a dangerous military buildup off the coast of Venezuela, deploying naval forces in the Caribbean in preparation for potential armed intervention,” the letter stated. “The pretext is familiar. President Trump justifies intervention in Venezuela as a means to combat ‘cartels,’ celebrating lethal strikes against fishermen accused of carrying drugs.”

The lawmakers drew parallels between the current militarism and past US actions that had destabilized their nations. “We have lived this nightmare before,” they emphasized. “US military interventions of the 20th century brought dictatorships, disappearances, and decades of trauma to our nations. We know the terrible cost of allowing foreign powers to wage war on our continent. We cannot—we will not—allow history to repeat itself.”

They called upon “all organized political forces across Latin America and the Caribbean” to unite in preventing another “catastrophe” from unfolding. “Across our political contexts, we share a common cause: the sovereignty of our nations and the security of our peoples,” the letter concluded. “We must stand together now.”

Over the past seven weeks, the US military has carried out at least nine attacks on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 people. Although the administration claims these vessels were involved in illegal drug smuggling, it has provided no evidence to substantiate these assertions.

Adding to the concern, both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have made remarks suggesting that it would be dangerous “to even go fishing” in the Caribbean, indicating the potential risk to civilians in these strikes.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the incidents this past weekend, stating that the Trump administration had “committed a murder” following a boat attack that killed Colombian citizen Alejandro Carranza. Carranza had been out on a fishing trip when the US military struck his vessel.

The boat strikes have drawn criticism not only from leaders in Latin America but also from multiple US-based legal experts who have accused the administration of engaging in an extrajudicial murder spree. Experts highlight that the US has traditionally treated drug trafficking as a criminal matter—not an act of war warranting military force.

In response to these developments, the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), a US-based think tank, announced on Thursday the launch of a new project to track “US militarism, aggression, and intervention in Latin America and the Caribbean.” This initiative will monitor “US strikes on boats, threats against Venezuela and Colombia, and other aspects of US interventionism in the region under the second Trump administration.”
https://www.rawstory.com/donald-trump-venezuela/