The U.S. military has deployed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Western Hemisphere to counter suspected drug smuggling activities and narco-terrorism in the Caribbean. The Pentagon announced the move in support of President Trump’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and safeguard national security.
The deployment marks an intensified effort by the Trump administration to disrupt drug trafficking networks, following recent strikes targeting Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan terrorist group. The strike group, which includes the world’s largest aircraft carrier and several guided-missile destroyers, is expected to enhance U.S. capabilities in detecting and neutralizing illicit activities within the region.
This initiative reflects the administration’s broader strategy to combat drug-related threats, with President Trump accusing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug cartel and authorizing CIA covert operations in Venezuela. The move has sparked debate over its legality, with lawmakers from both parties introducing measures to curb U.S. military involvement in such operations.
Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and others have proposed a war powers resolution that would prohibit U.S. armed forces from participating in ‘hostilities’ against Venezuela. The administration’s approach has drawn criticism from various quarters, with some arguing that the military strikes could escalate tensions in the region and potentially destabilize existing geopolitical dynamics.