Pentagon deploys USS Gerald R Ford carrier group to counter drug trafficking as Venezuela warns of fabricated war and regional tensions escalate.
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has ordered an aircraft carrier strike group deployment to counter drug-trafficking organisations in Latin America.
This major escalation of the US military buildup prompted Venezuela’s leader to warn Washington was fabricating a war.
President Donald Trump launched a military campaign targeting alleged narcotics smuggling vessels in early September.
American forces have destroyed at least ten vessels through a series of strikes since the campaign began.
The growing US military presence includes ten F-35 stealth warplanes and eight Navy ships.
Venezuela fears Washington’s ultimate goal is overthrowing President Nicolas Maduro through this buildup.
Maduro accused the Trump administration of stoking a new eternal war during a state broadcast.
“They promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war that we are going to prevent,” Maduro stated.
The US-Venezuela standoff has also drawn in Colombian President Gustavo Petro as a sharp critic.
Washington sanctioned Petro on Friday for allegedly allowing drug trafficking to flourish.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the USS Gerald R Ford deployment will enhance capabilities against criminal organisations.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an overnight strike killed six people aboard an alleged Venezuelan drug boat.
“If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat Al-Qaeda,” Hegseth posted on X.
The US strikes have caused at least 43 deaths according to an AFP tally based on American figures.
Washington has not released evidence proving its targets were actually smuggling narcotics.
Caracas accuses the United States of plotting to overthrow Maduro’s government.
Venezuela claims to possess 5,000 Russian man-portable surface-to-air missiles to counter US forces.
US B-1B bombers flew over the Caribbean off Venezuela’s coast according to flight tracking data.
This followed last week’s show of force by multiple US B-52 bombers circling the country’s coast.
Brazil views military intervention in Venezuela as unacceptable according to a senior foreign policy advisor.
Celso Amorim warned outside intervention could trigger immense resentment across South America.
“It could inflame South America and lead to radicalization of politics on the whole continent,” Amorim stated.
Trump said he needs no congressional war declaration to attack Venezuela or other drug trade nations.
“The land is going to be next,” Trump warned, comparing drug cartels to the Islamic State group. – AFP
