Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued orders to reposition an aircraft carrier strike group currently stationed in Europe to the Caribbean region. This decision comes amid a significant buildup of US military forces in the area, aimed at enhancing national security and combating drug trafficking.
The Gerald R. Ford strike group, along with its air wing, is being deployed to “dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations and counter narco-terrorism,” according to Pentagon Press Secretary Sean Parnell. This strategic move signifies the US commitment to tackling the escalating drug crisis and organized crime in the Caribbean.
As of October 21, the Ford strike group has docked near the harbor of Split, Croatia. This positioning places the ships over 5,000 miles away from the Caribbean, indicating that it may take several days for the group to arrive and be ready for operational strikes against criminal entities.
The recent buildup of US forces in the Caribbean has sparked discussions regarding the intent of the Trump administration in the region. While officials have maintained that the increased military presence is part of a counter-drug trafficking initiative, reports suggest that President Donald Trump is also considering military actions within Venezuela. Such strategies aim to undermine the regime of leader Nicolas Maduro, as highlighted by CNN.
In a related development, Hegseth announced that the US military conducted an overnight strike against a vessel he claimed was operated by a drug cartel involved in narcotics smuggling in the Caribbean. This strike reportedly resulted in the deaths of six individuals, raising the total number of targeted boats to ten and the death toll to 43 since the commencement of this military campaign last month.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available regarding the operations of the Gerald R. Ford strike group and the overall strategy of the US military in the Caribbean.
