The U.S. military is intensifying its presence in South America with the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and its strike group to the region. This move, announced by the Pentagon on Friday, aims to enhance the U.S. capacity to monitor and disrupt illicit activities that threaten national security. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the mission’s focus on combating drug trafficking and other criminal operations. The USS Ford, currently stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, will take several days to reach South America, marking a significant escalation in a region already witnessing a substantial U.S. military buildup, particularly near Venezuela. This deployment follows a series of targeted strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels, which have resulted in at least 43 deaths since September. The Trump administration has linked these operations to the Tren de Aragua gang, a Venezuelan criminal organization designated as a foreign terrorist group. Critics argue that the military actions, including the recent flight of supersonic bombers near Venezuela, are less about drug interdiction and more about exerting political pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro has responded by mobilizing security forces and civilian militias to defend Venezuela’s coastline. Analysts suggest the U.S. is using the drug crackdown as a pretext to assert dominance in the region, drawing parallels to the post-9/11 war on terror. While some lawmakers support the aggressive approach, others express concerns about the lack of congressional oversight and potential violations of international law.
US is sending an aircraft carrier to Latin America in major escalation of military buildup
