(Washington, D.C.) A carrier strike group led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest U.S. aircraft carrier in the world, has entered the Caribbean Sea and joined the previously deployed U.S. amphibious ready group and Marine Expeditionary Force to conduct U.S. anti-drug operations.
The U.S. Southern Command, responsible for Latin America and the Caribbean, issued a statement on Sunday (November 16) saying that the carrier strike group, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, includes the U.S.'s most advanced aircraft carrier, two guided-missile destroyers, other support ships and aircraft, and 5,000 military personnel.
The strike group joined several previously deployed warships to form Joint Task Force "Operation Southern Spear." This further expands the U.S. military presence in the region, making it the largest U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean in more than 30 years.
Since September, the U.S. has been continuously cracking down on drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. The most recent operation took place last Saturday (November 15), resulting in the deaths of three suspected drug traffickers.
The U.S. Southern Command posted on social media: "Intelligence confirms that the vessel in question is involved in drug smuggling, is sailing along a known drug trafficking route, and is carrying drugs."
Further Reading
This marks the 21st known attack by the U.S. military on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel, resulting in over 80 deaths.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement Sunday saying that the Venezuelan-based Cartel de los Soles will be formally designated a foreign terrorist organization next Monday (24th), and that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is the leader of this drug cartel.
U.S. officials stated that the Cartel de los Soles collaborates with the criminal organization Tren de Aragua to smuggle drugs into the United States. Tren de Aragua had previously been designated a foreign terrorist organization.
This means that in addition to banning members of the organization from entering the United States, anyone in the U.S. providing material support to the organization will also be considered a crime.
Last week, senior Trump administration officials held three meetings at the White House to discuss possible military action options against Venezuela, including ground strikes within Venezuelan territory.
However, Trump said Sunday that no further action has been decided, but the Venezuelan government hopes to engage in dialogue with the United States. "We may have some discussions with Maduro and see what happens."
Venezuela, on the other hand, emphasized that the U.S. troop increase is a clear threat. Maduro criticized the joint training exercises between the U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago forces, scheduled to begin on Sunday, as "irresponsible." This would be the second joint exercise between the U.S. and the southern Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in less than a month.
