A U.S. aircraft carrier strike group arrived in Latin America on Tuesday, November 12th, heightening tensions with Venezuela. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest carrier, entered the region under U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command as part of an operation officially aimed at combating drug trafficking.
Venezuela condemned the move as a threat, with President Nicolás Maduro accusing Washington of preparing for war. In response, Caracas announced a nationwide military deployment involving land, sea and air forces.
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro suspended intelligence cooperation with the U.S. after recent missile strikes on vessels in international waters killed dozens of people. Russia also criticized the U.S. actions as “unacceptable,” accusing Washington of acting above international law.
Despite growing criticism the Trump administration insists the operations target drug cartels and are meant to protect regional security.
