(The Hill) – The Pentagon is sending the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, and its carrier air wing to the Caribbean as the Trump administration conducts strikes against boats it says are smuggling illegal drugs in the region.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Friday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, which was deployed in the Mediterranean, to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility to help “dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland.”
Parnell wrote in a statement that the presence of the USS Gerald R. Ford in the region will “bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere.”
“These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs,” he added.
Hegseth’s order comes as the Trump administration has been striking alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela and in the Eastern Pacific, killing at least 43 people, which officials have said are “narco-terrorists.”
On Thursday, two B-1 Lancer bombers departed from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas and flew near the coast of Venezuela, according to flight tracking data. Trump called the news reports about the presence of B-1 bombers “false,” but added that “we’re not happy with Venezuela for a lot of reasons. Drugs being one of them.”
The latest strike, which Hegseth disclosed Friday morning, hit an alleged vessel affiliated with Tren de Aragua and killed all six individuals on board. No U.S. service members were injured in the operation, according to officials.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, which is based out of Norfolk, Va., and the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 12, was in Croatia earlier this week.
The strikes against boats are part of the Trump administration’s effort to ramp up pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom U.S. officials say is an “illegitimate” leader.”
Maduro pleaded against a “crazy war” as the tensions between Caracas and Washington escalate.
“Yes peace, yes peace forever, peace forever. No crazy war, please,” Maduro said Thursday in English.
The administration has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean, sending warships, at least one nuclear-powered submarine and having around 10,000 U.S. forces supporting counternarcotics operations. Trump confirmed earlier this month that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela.
The USS Gravely, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, will be in Trinidad and Tobago from Oct. 26 to 30, and will dock in Port of Spain, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs said on Thursday.
During the same period, the 22nd U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit will perform joint training exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force.
“The visit strengthens U.S.-Trinidad and Tobago military-to-military cooperation through expert exchanges focused on core infantry tactics, maintenance procedures, and advanced medical capabilities, leveraging the TTDF’s facilities to enhance tactical proficiency and enhance mutual trust,” the ministry said in a statement.
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