The Pentagon’s largest aircraft carrier has arrived in the Latin American region, adding to a massive U.S. military buildup amid tensions with Venezuela.
The USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group moved into the area Tuesday, according to the Navy, after the Ford was ordered to the region last month. The Ford carries more than 4,000 sailors and dozens of tactical aircraft.
Eight warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft are already in the Caribbean.
The arrival follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directing the carrier strike group to support President Trump’s “directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland,” a Tuesday statement said.
The Trump administration has been increasing its military presence in the U.S. Southern Command area, which will “bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities,” chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in the statement.
Tensions have risen as the U.S. military has carried out at least 19 strikes so far against alleged drug boats in international waters, killing more than 70 people.
Mr. Trump has fixed his focus on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of sending drugs to the U.S, which he has denied.
The action has fueled speculation that Mr. Trump intends to drive Mr. Maduro from power. He stated on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that the Venezuelan president’s days are “numbered.”
Senate Democrats have unsuccessfully pushed legislation to halt the boat strikes and block the president from starting a war in Venezuela.
“Through unwavering commitment and the precise use of our forces, we stand ready to combat the transnational threats that seek to destabilize our region,” Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey said in the statement.
