The US military is reportedly reeling after a series of deadly attacks on Drugs laden boats are increasing their presence in Latin American waters. The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, was withdrawn from the Mediterranean by the Pentagon some time ago and has now reached the US Southern Command area of operations, the US Navy announced.
The exact location was not disclosed. U.S. Southern Command’s broad area of operations includes the Caribbean Sea and waters bordering Central and South America. This means it is unclear whether the aircraft carrier is inside Caribbean or at another location within the operating area.
Tensions between the US and Venezuela
America justifies its military presence by fighting transnational criminal organizations and protecting its homeland from drugs. However, this happened due to increasing tensions between the US and the US Venezuela to speculation about the real reason for the aircraft carrier’s relocation to the region.
US President Donald Trump’s administration accused Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking United States of America to get involved. Not only does Venezuela’s authoritarian government view the accumulation of additional military units in the Caribbean as a threatening act, but so do countries such as Colombia and Brazil.
Recently confirmed Trump also that he had given up covert operations carried out by the US foreign secret service CIA in Venezuela. The US accuses drug gangs, which are also said to originate from Venezuela, of flooding America with drugs.
The largest warship in the world
The US aircraft carrier “USS Gerald R. Ford” is the largest warship in the world. It is 333 meters long and can accommodate up to 90 fighter planes and helicopters and several thousand troops. It is powered by a nuclear reactor and named after the 38th President of the United States.
Dozens of people died in US attacks on suspected drug vessels
In recent weeks, the US military has repeatedly attacked ships suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean and Pacific. Dozens of people died. This approach received international criticism, also because the US government did not provide a legal basis for its actions. The UN called on the US government to exercise restraint.
Meanwhile, as part of the “Plan Independencia 200” exercise, the Venezuelan armed forces conducted national defense training. The Army, Air Force and Navy as well as paramilitary militia units took part in the exercise, the Defense Ministry said. The aim is to counter the “imperialist threat,” said the statement signed by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
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