The U.S. military is deploying an aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to South America, marking a significant escalation in military presence in the region. The announcement was made by the Pentagon on Friday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that this deployment aims to enhance the U.S.’s ability to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit activities that threaten national safety and prosperity, as conveyed by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.

Currently, the USS Ford, which is accompanied by five destroyers, is in the Mediterranean Sea. At the time of the announcement, it was in port in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. A source familiar with the operations indicated that while some destroyers are in the Arabian and Red Seas, it was unclear how long it would take for the strike group to reach South America or if all five destroyers would accompany the carrier.

The deployment of the aircraft carrier is a major escalation in a region that is witnessing a large U.S. military buildup, particularly in the Caribbean Sea and off the coast of Venezuela. This announcement followed recent military strikes against suspected drug-running boats, with the 10th strike resulting in six deaths, raising the death toll from these operations to at least 43 since they began in early September.

The frequency of these strikes has increased recently, with three occurring in the past week as opposed to earlier intervals of several weeks between strikes. The operations have expanded into the eastern Pacific Ocean, highlighting areas where cocaine, primarily smuggled from major producers, is trafficked.

In a notable operational detail, Hegseth mentioned that the most recent strike was conducted in international waters and marked a first for being carried out at night. He compared narco-terrorists involved in drug smuggling to Al-Qaeda, stating the U.S. will actively track and eliminate those involved in drug trafficking.

### Focus on Venezuela and Tren de Aragua

The U.S. government’s focus on targeting the Tren de Aragua group, designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration, aligns with its stated intent to combat violence and drug trafficking. Nonetheless, U.S. officials report that a significant number of attacked vessels have originated from Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, however, argues that such military operations are aimed at undermining his government.

In defensive response, Maduro commended military and civilian militia exercises along the 2,000-kilometer (approximately 1,200-mile) coastline of Venezuela, asserting that all coastal areas would be prepared to defend against potential U.S. aggression.

Experts like Elizabeth Dickinson from the International Crisis Group have noted that the U.S. military’s presence in the region is also a message to align countries with U.S. interests, suggesting that the focus on drug trafficking may be a pretext for strategic military objectives.

### Comparing the Drug Crackdown to the War on Terror

Hegseth has drawn parallels between the current crackdown on drug trafficking and the post-9/11 war on terrorism. When asked in a recent roundtable about seeking congressional approval for military action against drug cartels, Trump did not plan to pursue such a declaration, instead stating, “We’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country.”

This approach has raised concerns among lawmakers from both political parties, with some expressing apprehension over military actions conducted without explicit congressional authorization. Senator Andy Kim expressed uncertainty about the potential for escalating military involvement, questioning whether it could lead to prolonged conflict.

In contrast, Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart supported Trump’s military strategy, deeming it necessary to address the threats posed by narco-cartels. As the situation unfolds, the varying viewpoints underscore the complexities and implications of U.S. military operations in the region.

Associated Press writers Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, and Ben Finley and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to the report.