USA US attacks on Caribbean boats: aircraft carrier in large region
The US military is increasing its presence in the waters off Latin America following numerous deadly attacks against boats allegedly carrying drugs. The world's largest aircraft carrier, the "USS Gerald R. Ford", was withdrawn from the Mediterranean by the Pentagon some time ago and has now reached the region of the US Southern Command's area of operations, according to the US Navy.
11.11.2025, 20:04
SDA
The exact location was not disclosed. The U.S. Southern Command's large area of operations extends across the Caribbean Sea and waters bordering Central and South America. This means that it is unclear whether the aircraft carrier is located in the Caribbean or at another location in the area of operations.
Tensions between the USA and Venezuela
The USA justifies the military presence with the fight against transnational criminal organizations and the protection of the homeland against drugs. However, increasing tensions between the USA and Venezuela have led to speculation about the actual reason for the aircraft carrier's relocation to the region.
US President Donald Trump's administration accuses Venezuela's head of state Nicolás Maduro of being involved in drug smuggling to the US. Not only the authoritarian Venezuelan government sees the deployment of additional military units in the Caribbean as a threatening gesture, but also countries such as Colombia and Brazil.
Trump also recently confirmed that he had authorized covert operations by the US foreign intelligence agency CIA in Venezuela. The USA accuses drug gangs, which are also said to come from Venezuela, of flooding the United States with drugs.
The largest warship in the world
The US aircraft carrier "USS Gerald R. Ford" is the largest warship in the world. It is 333 meters long and has space for up to 90 fighter planes and helicopters as well as several thousand soldiers. It is powered by a nuclear reactor and is named after the 38th President of the USA.
Dozens killed in US strikes against suspected drug boats
In recent weeks, the US military has repeatedly attacked boats allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Dozens of people have been killed in the process. The actions have been met with international criticism, partly because the US government has not cited any legal basis for its actions. The United Nations called on the US government to exercise restraint.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan armed forces trained their national defense as part of the "Plan Independencia 200" (Independence 200 Plan) maneuver. The army, air force and navy as well as paramilitary units of the militia were involved in the exercise, the Ministry of Defense announced. The aim was to counter the "imperialist threat", according to the statement signed by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
