Pentagon Deploys Aircraft Carrier to Latin America Amid Military Surge

Pentagon Dispatches Aircraft Carrier to South American Waters

In a significant move, the Pentagon announced on Friday that the U.S. military is sending an aircraft carrier to the waters off South America. This deployment marks a notable increase in military presence in a region where the Trump administration has ramped up its military operations against vessels suspected of drug trafficking.

USS Gerald R. Ford to Enhance U.S. Military Operations

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford along with its strike group to the U.S. Southern Command area. This initiative aims to “enhance U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States,” as stated by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell via social media.

Current Position of the USS Ford

Currently, the USS Ford is stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, accompanied by five destroyers. According to a source familiar with the operations, one of these destroyers is operating in the Arabian Sea, while another is positioned in the Red Sea. As of Friday, the aircraft carrier was docked in Croatia, situated on the Adriatic Sea.

Uncertain Timing for Arrival in South America

The source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of military logistics, did not disclose when the strike group would reach South American waters or confirm whether all five destroyers would accompany the carrier on its journey.

U.S. Military Presence in the Region

This deployment of an aircraft carrier adds substantial resources to an area that has already witnessed a notable U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean Sea and off the coast of Venezuela. The decision to send the USS Ford and the quickened pace of U.S. military strikes, including one that occurred on Friday, has fueled speculation regarding the extent of operations by the Trump administration targeting drug trafficking. There is also conjecture about potential actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently facing narcoterrorism charges in the U.S.

Boosting Troop Numbers in the Region

Presently, over 6,000 sailors and Marines are stationed on eight warships in the vicinity. If the entire USS Ford strike group makes its way to the region, it could introduce nearly 4,500 additional sailors along with nine squadrons of aircraft designated for the carrier.

Weather Complications with Tropical Storm Melissa

The situation is further complicated by the presence of Tropical Storm Melissa, which has been nearly stationary in the central Caribbean and is forecasted to potentially strengthen into a formidable hurricane.

Recent Military Actions Against Drug Traffickers

Just hours before Parnell's announcement, Hegseth revealed that the military had conducted its 10th strike on a suspected drug-running boat, resulting in six fatalities and bringing the total death toll from operations initiated in early September to at least 43 individuals.

Hegseth noted on social media that the targeted vessel was operated by the Tren de Aragua gang. This marked the second instance in which the Trump administration has engaged in military operations against suspected drug traffickers, highlighting the administration's aggressive stance on drug-related activities in the region.