Pentagon orders aircraft carrier to the Caribbean

The Pentagon is sending the USS Gerald R. Ford, its most advanced aircraft carrier, to the Caribbean to bolster the Trump administration's campaign against drug smuggling and threats in Latin America.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered this deployment from the Mediterranean, which includes additional fighter and surveillance aircraft.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated, “In support of the President’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism,” the carrier will aid operations in the Southern Command area.

This move indicates an expansion of airstrikes beyond small vessels to land targets, aiming to disrupt drug operations and challenge Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government.

Having a carrier in the region will enhance the frequency of airstrikes and reduce flight distances for targets.