24.10.2025 22:11
The U.S. Department of Defense has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to the area of responsibility of the Southern Command as part of its efforts to combat international criminal organizations. This move is notable as it follows Donald Trump's statement, "We will soon see a ground operation in Venezuela."
U.S. Department of Defense Spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and its accompanying air wing, belonging to the U.S. Navy, will be deployed to the area under the responsibility of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) as part of the fight against international criminal organizations.
While political tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela continue, a step has been taken by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to increase the country's military presence in South America.
U.S. SENDS AIRCRAFT CARRIER TO THE REGION
In a statement made by U.S. Department of Defense Spokesperson Sean Parnell, it was noted that the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and its accompanying air wing will be deployed to the region.
Parnell stated, "U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has directed the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group and the air wing stationed on the ship to the area under the responsibility of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to support President Trump's objectives of eliminating international criminal organizations and combating narco-terrorism as part of homeland defense. The increased U.S. military presence in SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility will enhance our capacity to detect, monitor, and interdict illegal actors and activities that threaten the security and prosperity of the nation and our security in the Western Hemisphere," he said.
LAST DOCKED IN CROATIA
Parnell did not provide details on when the aircraft carrier would move to the region. It is known that the USS Gerald R. Ford last docked in Split, Croatia, on October 21.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, which joined the U.S. Navy's inventory in 2017, is considered the newest and largest aircraft carrier in the world. Equipped with a nuclear reactor, the ship has a capacity to carry approximately 5,000 sailors and can host more than 75 combat aircraft. The aircraft carrier is also known to have advanced medium-range missile systems capable of hitting aerial targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and fighter jets. The U.S. currently has 8 warships, 1 nuclear submarine, and F-35 fighter jets in the Caribbean.
U.S. CONDUCTED 10 ATTACKS
As part of its fight against international criminal organizations and drug trafficking, the U.S. military has conducted a total of 10 attacks since September, mostly in the Caribbean, against maritime vessels suspected of carrying drugs. Officials have stated that some of the individuals killed in the attacks were reportedly Venezuelan.
TRUMP: WE WILL SEE GROUND OPERATIONS
U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a recent announcement at the White House in Washington that he is not pleased with Venezuela, saying, "We will soon see a ground operation in Venezuela."