WASHINGTON (AP) — This country state-of-the-art aircraft carrier It arrived in the Caribbean on Sunday in a show of American military power, but questions are being raised about what the new influx of troops and weapons could signal to the Trump administration. drug enforcement campaign In South America.
of Arrival of USS Gerald R. FordThe announcement by the U.S. military in a news release marks a significant moment in Trump administration policy. Claims it’s an anti-drug operation But it is seen as an escalating pressure tactic against the Venezuelan president. Nicolas Maduro. US airstrikes have continued since early September. Killed at least 80 people in 20 attacks A small boat accused of transporting drugs in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Ford rounds maximum amount US firepower increase The operation, dubbed “Operation Southern Spear” by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, brought the total number of soldiers stationed in the region for generations, aboard nearly a dozen Navy ships, to about 12,000.
Ford’s carrier strike group, which includes a squadron of fighter jets and a guided missile destroyer, passed through the Anegada Strait near the British Virgin Islands on Sunday morning, according to a Navy statement.
Rear Admiral Paul Langillotta, commanding officer of the Ford Carrier Strike Group, said the US would be adding to its already large fleet of U.S. warships to “protect our nation’s security and prosperity from narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.”
The administration maintains that the warship buildup is focused on stopping the flow of drugs into the United States, but has released no evidence to support the claim that those killed on the warships were “narco-terrorists.” Mr Trump is hinted that military action could extend beyond maritime attacksthe United States said it would “stop the flow of drugs by land.”
The United States Aircraft carriers that have been used for a long time This is to deter and put pressure on invasions by other countries, as warplanes from other countries can attack targets deep within other countries. Some experts say Ford is ill-suited to fighting cartels, but it could be an effective tool. tool of intimidation for maduro They are lobbying for his resignation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States does not recognize President Maduro. widely accused of stealing last year’s electionas the legitimate leader of Venezuela. Rubio called the Venezuelan government a “transshipment organization” that openly cooperates with drug trafficking.
Maduro, who is facing drug-terrorism charges in the United States, said the U.S. government was “manufacturing” a war against him. The Venezuelan government recently touted a “massive” mobilization of troops and civilians to ward off a possible U.S. attack.
President Trump justified attacks on drug smuggling ships by saying the United States is a drug smuggler. “Armed conflict” with drug cartels While claiming that the boat is being operated. foreign terrorist organization.
he faces backlash from local leaders, United Nations Human Rights Director And U.S. lawmakers, including Republicans, Detailed information about who is being targeted and the legal justification for the boat strike.
However, Senate Republicans recently voted to: veto a bill that would impose restraints About Trump’s ability to launch an attack on Venezuela without Congressional authorization.
Experts are divided on whether American jets will be used to attack land targets inside Venezuela. Either way, the 100,000-ton warship is sending a message.
“This really defines what it means to have U.S. military power again in Latin America,” said Elizabeth Dickinson, senior Andean analyst at the International Crisis Group. “It’s causing a lot of unrest, not only in Venezuela but throughout the region. I think everyone is waiting with bated breath to see how willing the United States is to actually use military force.”
