The United States is escalating its military presence in the Caribbean by deploying an aircraft carrier strike group. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford, currently located in Europe, to maneuver towards the Caribbean region. The Pentagon aims to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations and counter narco-terrorism, as stated by Pentagon Press Secretary Sean Parnell.
USS Gerald R. Ford Deployment Details
The USS Gerald R. Ford and its air wing docked near Split, Croatia, on October 21. The deployment to the Caribbean will take several days, covering over 5,000 miles.
- Carrier Type: Gerald R. Ford
- Departure Location: Split, Croatia
- Distance to Caribbean: 5,000 miles
- Mission Objective: Counter narco-terrorism and dismantle criminal organizations
Increase in Military Activity
This shift comes amid a significant buildup of US military forces in the region, raising questions about strategic intentions. While the Trump administration emphasizes a counter-drug trafficking campaign, there are reports indicating potential military strikes against Venezuela. This reflects a broader strategy to undermine Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Recent Military Actions
In a recent operation, Secretary Hegseth announced an overnight strike targeting a vessel associated with a drug cartel in the Caribbean. This action resulted in six fatalities, bringing the total number of attacked boats to ten and deaths to 43 since the campaign began last month.
The deployment of the Ford, recognized as the largest warship ever constructed, is a critical component of this extensive military initiative. The situation remains fluid and will be updated as new information emerges.
