A US naval strike group, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, has reportedly arrived in the Caribbean, as confirmed by the US Navy. This deployment follows an order from President Donald Trump last month and occurs in the context of ongoing military operations against suspected drug trafficking boats and rising tensions with Venezuela.
To date, the US has conducted at least 19 strikes against boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 76 fatalities. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, along with other officials, has criticized these actions, alleging that the US is creating a false crisis as a means to undermine Venezuela’s socialist government.
According to the US Navy, the strike group entered the area under the jurisdiction of US Southern Command on November 11. This force includes over 4,000 sailors, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, guided-missile destroyers, and a number of support vessels. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that this deployment aims to enhance the US’s ability to monitor and disrupt illegal activities that threaten the nation’s safety and economic interests.
The newly arrived carrier group adds to existing military resources in the region, which include thousands of troops, a nuclear-powered submarine, and military aircraft stationed in Puerto Rico, contributing to what is described as the largest US military presence in Latin America in several decades.
The US has continued its campaign against alleged drug trafficking, which officials insist is essential to curbing drug flow into the country. Recently, two additional strikes in the Pacific killed six individuals. These strikes have increased tensions with governments in Colombia and Venezuela, raising concerns about potential human rights violations.
In prior statements, President Trump indicated he was not planning to invade Venezuela but maintained a firm stance on addressing drug trafficking, asserting that every boat targeted prevents significant harm to American families.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gkypezze8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss