File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Naval Technology

 

The US is escalating its military presence by deploying the USS Gerald R Ford, the world's largest warship, towards the Caribbean. This action is part of a broader strategy targeting drug trafficking operations. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the carrier, capable of holding up to 90 aircraft, to move from the Mediterranean last Friday.

 

In recent weeks, the US has increased its Caribbean presence with eight warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 aircraft. Airstrikes have been launched against alleged drug traffickers, including one on Friday that killed "six male narco-terrorists" linked to the Tren de Aragua organisation. This US initiative, branded a war on drug trafficking, has faced legal concerns and accusations of an intimidation campaign against Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro.

 

Experts, including Dr Christopher Sabatini from Chatham House, see this military build-up as a move to unsettle Venezuela's military. The US Southern Command deployment aims to enhance operations against transnational criminal organisations. The new resources allow for ground strike possibilities, intensifying Trump's rhetoric about "land action" in Venezuela.

 

US lawmakers remain divided over the legality of these strikes, with Democrats and Republicans voicing concerns. Issues arise surrounding congressional approval for such actions. The Trump administration argues it has legal grounds, having labelled Tren de Aragua a terrorist group. Latest operations have brought the death toll to at least 43 in the region since September.

 

Looking ahead, the USS Gerald R Ford's deployment signals increased military activity in the Caribbean and potentially Central and South America. It also sets the stage for more diplomatic tension with Venezuela, as US strategies continue to focus on drug trafficking interdiction and potential actions within Venezuela.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• The US has deployed the USS Gerald R Ford to the Caribbean.
• US military activity in the region targets drug traffickers.
• Tensions with Venezuela may rise due to increased military presence.

Related Story:

US Military Expands Lethal Strikes on Drug Boats in Pacific 

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-10-25

 

 

 

I think the Venezuelan military should be concerned.  If their illegitimate President leads them into open war with the USA it will not go well for them.  They are really good at tamping down unarmed citizens of their own nation protesting rigged elections but facing the USA armed forces is another story.  

 

Pity Maduro is still in power.  They have destroyed that nations prosperity and freedom with their tyrannical socialist policies.  My socialist friends used to point at Venezuela as a prime example of how well socialism works.  Not any longer. In the end it's always the same result.

I’m thinking old Donnie is fixing to steal Venezuelas oil under the guise of chasing drug smugglers……just my guess…time will tell….now let me know were the gator freighters and LHAs are,if they get deployed then it’s on….hope not!!

Ahhh the old "we are chasing the oil".  They said that about Bush and Iraq.  Is it just possible he is doing it because 100,000 Americans die every year from drug overdose?  And just maybe it could be impacted closer to the source?  I dunno.  Maybe he really does care about those 100,000 families losing a loved one.

 

Or do people with drug addictions not matter?

Should be some interesting port visits for the sailors.

35 minutes ago, jimmybcool said:

Ahhh the old "we are chasing the oil".  They said that about Bush and Iraq.  Is it just possible he is doing it because 100,000 Americans die every year from drug overdose?  And just maybe it could be impacted closer to the source?  I dunno.  Maybe he really does care about those 100,000 families losing a loved one.

 

Or do people with drug addictions not matter?

The dopers / druggies are the real problem,no demand no market no more problem.In my view taking trumps deeds into consideration he doesn’t care about drug addicted people not a twit unless he can use that for a reason/ headlines for something else in this case I believe it’s oil.keep an eye out for vessels deployed that carry troops and equipment that will tell the intent.

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

The dopers / druggies are the real problem,no demand no market no more problem.In my view taking trumps deeds into consideration he doesn’t care about drug addicted people not a twit unless he can use that for a reason/ headlines for something else in this case I believe it’s oil.keep an eye out for vessels deployed that carry troops and equipment that will tell the intent.

When has anyone done anything about the drug addicted people?

4 minutes ago, Mike_Hunt said:

When has anyone done anything about the drug addicted people?

There’s lots of programs to help them mand decent noble people have made it their life’s work trying to help them,they cannot be helped unless they’re ready.hence the market for dope.

Just now, Tug said:

There’s lots of programs to help them mand decent noble people have made it their life’s work trying to help them,they cannot be helped unless they’re ready.hence the market for dope.

Thus, it does not work. 

A bit risky I would say: lots of islands in the Carribean, they have to be sailed around, that means lots of "cornering" and airplanes on US carriers have a tendency to fall off when cornering!

 

Talk about overkill - drug smugglers in speedboats are quite effectively dealt with by small helicopters flying from the back of small fast ships, but no - the warriors use the biggest bombers and the biggest ships on the planet. It is a bit.like deploying the (now gone) Vulcan bombers to counter Romany pickpockets in London's West End!

 

Unless of course the aim is bigger...

32 minutes ago, Tug said:

The dopers / druggies are the real problem,no demand no market no more problem.In my view taking trumps deeds into consideration he doesn’t care about drug addicted people not a twit unless he can use that for a reason/ headlines for something else in this case I believe it’s oil.keep an eye out for vessels deployed that carry troops and equipment that will tell the intent.

 

Very sad you feel like these people don't deserve empathy.  Or an effort to cut off easy access forcing them to clean up.  You are probably one of the first to castigate big pharma for getting people hooked on opiates but then don't care about the poor people fighting addiction.

 

But then the left loves homeless in the streets.

 

 

1 hour ago, jimmybcool said:

Ahhh the old "we are chasing the oil".  They said that about Bush and Iraq.  Is it just possible he is doing it because 100,000 Americans die every year from drug overdose?  And just maybe it could be impacted closer to the source?  I dunno.  Maybe he really does care about those 100,000 families losing a loved one.

 

Or do people with drug addictions not matter?

 

Funny thing about oil, especially Iraqi oil.  All proceeds from oil sales go directly into a special account at the Federal Reserve in New York.

 

Iraq must petition the USA for permission to access funds from their oil sales.  Cash is delivered monthly on pallets.

 

No obey, no funds.

2 hours ago, Tug said:

I’m thinking old Donnie is fixing to steal Venezuelas oil under the guise of chasing drug smugglers……just my guess…time will tell….now let me know were the gator freighters and LHAs are,if they get deployed then it’s on….hope not!!

It's a fair point. Getting rid of the dictator (a real dictator not a rhetorical one) will bring in a government that will be friendly to Trump. Of course getting rid of the dictatorship will be good for the people of Venezuela and the region as a whole.

2 hours ago, Tug said:

I’m thinking old Donnie is fixing to steal Venezuelas oil under the guise of chasing drug smugglers……just my guess…time will tell….now let me know were the gator freighters and LHAs are,if they get deployed then it’s on….hope not!!

A good guess and likely correct. Venezuela is not even in the top 5 cocaine supplier.

 

Drug is lucrative business for drug cartels, they will not stop making and smuggling drugs into USA because of the huge demand. The problem should be addressed at home rather than risk war and unsettle the region. 

2 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

It's a fair point. Getting rid of the dictator (a real dictator not a rhetorical one) will bring in a government that will be friendly to Trump. Of course getting rid of the dictatorship will be good for the people of Venezuela and the region as a whole.

Name me a country where the US has "intervened"on behalf of ẗhe people"  that has materially enhanced the population ?

2 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Name me a country where the US has "intervened"on behalf of ẗhe people"  that has materially enhanced the population ?

All I'm saying is Venezuela will be better off without the dictator. Do you disagree?

2 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Name me a country where the US has "intervened"on behalf of ẗhe people"  that has materially enhanced the population ?

 

France

England

Sweden

Norway

Belgium

Germany (convinced Soviet Union to release E Germany)

Italy

S Korea

China (WWII)

 

Might be some more recent but I'm not a history major.  And yes you can list failures as well.  Not every intervention was a good idea.

 

2 minutes ago, jimmybcool said:

 

France

England

Sweden

Norway

Belgium

Germany (convinced Soviet Union to release E Germany)

Italy

S Korea

China (WWII)

 

Might be some more recent but I'm not a history major.  And yes you can list failures as well.  Not every intervention was a good idea.

 

The alternative honest list is as long if not longer. 

 

Just now, 0ffshore360 said:

The alternative honest list is as long if not longer. 

 

The OP forget 

 

Japan ( and the countries that Japan occupied) 

 

 

2 hours ago, jimmybcool said:

I think the Venezuelan military should be concerned.  If their illegitimate President leads them into open war with the USA it will not go well for them.  They are really good at tamping down unarmed citizens of their own nation protesting rigged elections but facing the USA armed forces is another story.  

 

Pity Maduro is still in power.  They have destroyed that nations prosperity and freedom with their tyrannical socialist policies.  My socialist friends used to point at Venezuela as a prime example of how well socialism works.  Not any longer. In the end it's always the same result.

Great work again by the one who wanted the Nobel peace prize. 

1 hour ago, Tug said:

The dopers / druggies are the real problem,no demand no market no more problem.In my view taking trumps deeds into consideration he doesn’t care about drug addicted people not a twit unless he can use that for a reason/ headlines for something else in this case I believe it’s oil.keep an eye out for vessels deployed that carry troops and equipment that will tell the intent.

More like No Supply, No get high.  Time to get clean.

1 hour ago, jimmybcool said:

Ahhh the old "we are chasing the oil".  They said that about Bush and Iraq.  Is it just possible he is doing it because 100,000 Americans die every year from drug overdose?  And just maybe it could be impacted closer to the source?  I dunno.  Maybe he really does care about those 100,000 families losing a loved one.

 

Or do people with drug addictions not matter?

vast majority of drugs come through Mexico, full stop. Many of those 100k that die  die from prescription overdose from US doctors with legal drugs bought at pharmacies. The ships being blow up without any factual justification are not capable of reaching US  without multiple (up to 20) refuelings. 

It's like Trump imposing insane tariffs on Canada as retribution for being pipeline for drugs to USA. " Minimal flow from Canada: Only about 0.2% of U.S. border fentanyl seizures occur at the Canadian border. The overwhelming majority—about 97%—is seized at the U.S. southern border with Mexico."

US is blowing up Ven ships to cut supply. Ven should be able to blow up known drug usage hot spots to cut demand. Stock exchanges, trendy resorts, rock concerts, etc

25 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

All I'm saying is Venezuela will be better off without the dictator. Do you disagree?

Same is true for USA.....

Just now, Emdog said:

Same is true for USA.....

Thank you for showing you don't know what a dictator is. Please explain how a republic can happen under a dictator. Please don't say The Democratic People's Rebublic of Korea is a republic. North Korea is neither democratic nor a republic and is ruled by an actual dictator.

17 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Great work again by the one who wanted the Nobel peace prize. 

As I recall , Obama got one just for being “President While Black “.

 

 

5 minutes ago, Rocky Sullivan said:

As I recall , Obama got one just for being “President While Black “.

 

 

That was decided before he was elected which goes to show the lack of credibility of that organization.

39 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

All I'm saying is Venezuela will be better off without the dictator. Do you disagree?

Agreed , but it's not the US that should get him deposed.

2 hours ago, jimmybcool said:

Ahhh the old "we are chasing the oil".  They said that about Bush and Iraq.  Is it just possible he is doing it because 100,000 Americans die every year from drug overdose?  And just maybe it could be impacted closer to the source?  I dunno.  Maybe he really does care about those 100,000 families losing a loved one.

 

Or do people with drug addictions not matter?

 

Let's keep something clear: we are not talking about a compassionate man.  He has resigned his life to be a reality TV character: compassion is not part of it.

He wants personal glory and, of course, $$$.  Whenever he does something it is entirely appropriate to try to discern what is his expected outcome/return.

Live with it.

 

4 minutes ago, novacova said:

Criminals in the US are typically dragged by cops.

Where is your proof of the criminal part?

1 hour ago, jimmybcool said:

 

Very sad you feel like these people don't deserve empathy.  Or an effort to cut off easy access forcing them to clean up.  You are probably one of the first to castigate big pharma for getting people hooked on opiates but then don't care about the poor people fighting addiction.

 

But then the left loves homeless in the streets.

 

 

Huh how on earth did you conflate my post  into I personally don’t think dopers are undeserving of empathy(and be careful empathy is a woke ideal)lol dude I grew up in California in the 60s and 70s I’m a survivor 😂 the fact of the matter is people have to want to get clean you can’t force them it doesn’t work.whats this nonsense about anyone wanting homeless on the streets?are you drunk this early?