“The deployment of the aircraft carrier strike group USS Gerald R. Ford represents a critical step in strengthening our commitment to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the security of the American homeland,” Admiral Alvin Holsey of the United States Southern Command said in a statement.
Earlier this week, an American military official, who did not wish to be named, told the American website NPR that “the ground is being prepared” for possible military action in the area. According to him, government officials are continuing high-level negotiations with members of Congress and foreign leaders amid ongoing military exercises.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Thursday on social networks that a mission called “Operation Southern Spear” is underway. “This mission defends our homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our hemisphere, and protects our homeland from the drugs that are killing our citizens,” he wrote. “(US President Donald) Trump is serious and the world knows it,” he added.
According to NPR, however, it is still unclear whether the Trump administration intends to use military force against Venezuela. The US has so far carried out 20 attacks on ships in this area, claiming that they were smuggling drugs. In August, the US government offered a $50 million reward for the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, whom Trump accused of being linked to drug traffickers.
Officials told NPR that the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, which was withdrawn from the Mediterranean Sea, may be just another pressure tactic on Maduro, who has put his own forces on high alert.
On Friday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he had “kind of made up his mind” about whether to launch an attack against Venezuela. “I can’t tell you how it is,” he said, “but we’ve made great progress with Venezuela in terms of stopping the flow of drugs.”
The website Politico wrote on Saturday that some representatives of the Trump administration are already talking about the destination where Maduro could be deported. His safe departure to Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan or Cuba is being considered. Others suggest that Maduro will be arrested and put on trial in the US. Some Trump aides hope that the threat of military action alone will fuel chaos in Venezuela and cause Maduro to lose control of the country.
