17.11.2025 12:02
The U.S. Navy announced that the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, has passed through the Anegada Passage and reached the Caribbean Sea with its strike group. It was reported that the fleet would join the joint task force conducting Operation Southern Spear, while claims were made that a U.S.-Venezuela war is imminent.
As the repercussions of U.S. President Donald Trump's order to launch the "Southern Lance Operation" against drug cartels operating in the Caribbean continue, a new development regarding the operation has emerged.
USS GERALD R. FORD HAS REACHED THE CARIBBEAN SEA
In a written statement from the U.S. Navy, it was reported that the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, leading an attack fleet, passed through the Anegada Passage and reached the Caribbean Sea on November 16. The statement reminded that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had instructed the attack fleet heading to the region to support President Donald Trump's directive to eliminate transnational criminal organizations and combat drug terrorism, and that the fleet would join the joint task force conducting the Southern Lance Operation initiated for this purpose.
CARRYING OVER 4,000 MILITARY PERSONNEL AND DOZENS OF AIRCRAFT
It was noted that the attack fleet led by USS Gerald R. Ford carries over 4,000 military personnel and dozens of tactical military aircraft, stating, "As the first aircraft carrier of its class, USS Gerald R. Ford can continuously support operations by allowing fixed-wing aircraft to land and take off simultaneously, regardless of day or night." It was emphasized that in addition to the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, numerous military assets, including Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, as well as the integrated air and missile defense command ship USS Winston S. Churchill, have been deployed to the region.
"THE U.S. ARMY IS READY TO FIGHT TRANSNATIONAL THREATS"
SOUTHCOM Commander Admiral Alvin Holsey emphasized in a statement that the U.S. Army is ready to combat transnational threats aimed at destabilizing the region, thanks to its unwavering determination, stating, "The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford attack fleet to the region plays a critical role in reinforcing our commitment to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the United States."
"WE WILL FURTHER ENHANCE OUR CAPABILITIES AGAINST NARCOTERRORISM"
Commander of the 12th Aircraft Carrier Strike Group, Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, highlighted that the fleet led by USS Gerald R. Ford is one of the world's most capable, most integrated, and most lethal military forces, stating, "This force will further enhance our existing capabilities to protect our nation's security and prosperity against narcoterrorism in the Western Hemisphere."
THE U.S. HAD ANNOUNCED THE SOUTHERN LANCE OPERATION
Last week, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that they had launched the "Southern Lance Operation" against narcoterrorists in the Americas at the instruction of President Donald Trump. It was reported that the U.S. had sent the attack fleet led by the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, to the region as part of this operation.
MADURO: A FAKE WAR IS BEING WAGED
Maduro, who is wanted in the U.S. on narcoterrorism charges, claims that Washington is waging a 'fake war' against him. The Venezuelan government announced that it has declared a 'massive' mobilization of soldiers and civilians against potential U.S. attacks.
Trump defends attacks on boats allegedly carrying drugs, claiming that the U.S. is in an 'armed conflict' against the cartels, asserting that these boats are 'operated by foreign terrorist organizations.'
However, leaders in the region, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and U.S. representatives are reacting by requesting more information about the targeted individuals and the legal basis for the attacks.
Recently, Republicans in the Senate rejected a bill that would limit Trump's authority to launch an attack on Venezuela without Congressional approval.