The USS Gerald R. Ford reached the Caribbean Sea on Sunday, marking a major show of US military power. The carrier joined nearly a dozen Navy ships and 12,000 personnel under Operation Southern Spear. The mission targets drug-running vessels, but many observers see a wider effort to pressure Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro.
US forces struck another small boat on Saturday in the eastern Pacific. The military said the vessel carried illegal drugs and confirmed three deaths. These strikes have killed at least 83 people since early September.
Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta said the carrier strike group will strengthen efforts to counter “narco-terrorism.” Adm. Alvin Holsey added that the deployment shows strong US resolve to protect the region. Trinidad and Tobago also launched joint training exercises with US Marines, calling the effort a move to reduce violent crime.
Venezuela condemned the drills and accused Washington of aggression. President Maduro urged citizens to prepare for any attack and claimed the US is inventing a war. The US, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, maintains it does not recognise Maduro and plans to label the Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organization.
Analysts say the carrier’s arrival heightens regional anxiety as countries watch to see how far the US will go.
