The United States has dispatched the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, the world's largest warship, towards the Caribbean. Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has publicly accused the US of "fabricating a war" in response to this deployment and other recent military actions. The US states its increased military presence in the region targets drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations.
Carrier Deployment and Venezuelan Response
On Friday, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford, an aircraft carrier capable of carrying up to 90 aircraft, to move from the Mediterranean Sea towards the US Southern Command area of responsibility, which encompasses Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro told state media, "They are fabricating a new eternal war." He added, "They promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war."
The USS Gerald R. Ford's last publicly reported location three days prior was off the coast of Croatia in the Adriatic Sea. Its first long-term deployment occurred in 2023. While specific accompanying vessels remain undisclosed, the carrier can operate as part of a strike group that typically includes destroyers equipped with missiles and other equipment. The carrier's aircraft complement includes jets and planes used for transport and reconnaissance.
US Military Operations and Stated Objectives
The US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 aircraft. The Trump administration states these actions are part of a campaign to target drug traffickers.
The US has conducted ten airstrikes on boats it identifies as belonging to traffickers. One such operation on Friday in the Caribbean Sea, targeting a vessel attributed by Secretary Hegseth to the Tren de Aragua criminal organization, resulted in the deaths of "six male narco-terrorists," according to Hegseth. The US also stated it destroyed a drug trafficking boat earlier on Friday.
These strikes have drawn condemnation from various entities in the region. Experts have also raised questions regarding the legality of these operations.
Accusations and Analytical Perspectives
The Trump administration characterizes its operations as a "war on drug trafficking." However, some experts and members of Congress have accused the administration of conducting an intimidation campaign aimed at destabilizing the Venezuelan government. Dr. Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, stated that the military build-up is intended to "strike fear" into the Venezuelan military and Maduro's inner circle, potentially prompting action against Maduro.
President Trump has accused President Maduro of leading a drug-trafficking organization, an accusation Maduro denies.
Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, stated that the additional forces "will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs," referring to transnational criminal organizations.
President Trump has previously mentioned the possibility of "land action" in Venezuela, stating earlier in the week, "We are certainly looking at land now, because we've got the sea very well under control." CNN has reported that President Trump is considering targeting cocaine facilities and drug trafficking routes within Venezuela, though a final decision has not been announced.
The deployment of the aircraft carrier marks an increase in the US military presence in the region, a development that could affect tensions with Venezuela. The US has long accused the Venezuelan government of harboring drug traffickers.