Tensions are escalating in the Caribbean following the arrival of the US Navy’s aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Gerald Ford, off the coast of Latin America. The Pentagon states the deployment is part of ongoing counter-narcotics operations.
US Naval Forces Southern Command confirmed the carrier’s arrival within its area of operations, approximately three weeks after deployment orders were issued. The stated mission objective is to “protect regional security and combat illicit drug trafficking.” The US has maintained a naval presence in the Caribbean since August, comprising six warships, purportedly aimed at curbing the flow of narcotics into the United States.
Reportedly, twenty air raids targeting vessels suspected of carrying drugs resulted in at least 76 fatalities.
Venezuela Responds with Military Deployment
In response, Venezuela has announced a “massive” military deployment across the country, citing alleged “imperialist threats” from the United States. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López stated that ground, naval, air, and missile forces, along with units from the Bolivarian Militia, have been mobilized to bolster national defenses.
Caracas views Washington’s counter-narcotics efforts as a “pretext” to pressure President Nicolás Maduro’s government and potentially instigate regime change. The United States maintains that its naval presence in the region is solely intended to counter trafficking networks targeting its territory. Maduro has repeatedly called for dialogue while asserting Venezuela’s readiness to defend itself, frequently showcasing military exercises within the country.
Regional Concerns
This escalation coincides with the conclusion of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit with the European Union in Santa Marta, Colombia. The summit’s final declaration emphasized the rejection of the use of force or interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. The declaration also welcomed what it termed the initial agreement to end the conflict in Gaza, while condemning Israeli actions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
