The United States has sent the USS Gerald R Ford to the Caribbean, sharply increasing its military presence near Venezuela. Washington says the massive carrier and accompanying forces are part of its campaign against drug traffickers in the region.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused President Donald Trump of preparing a conflict. He claims the decision is meant to threaten his government rather than fight crime.
Maduro told state media that Washington promised to stay out of overseas conflicts yet is now “fabricating a war”. His comments follow a string of US air strikes on boats said to be moving illegal drugs. At least forty three people have been killed in operations from early September.
Read Also: Venezuela’s Nobel Laureate: Urges Trump To Halt Maduro’s War
Trump has long accused Maduro of leading a criminal group that profits from narcotics. The Venezuelan leader rejects the allegation. After the disputed 2024 election, governments do not acknowledge him as Venezuela’s rightful president as independent tallies showed the opposition had win the election, not him.
The Pentagon said the USS Gerald R Ford is now under US Southern Command. Sean Parnell, speaking for the Defence Department, said the extra forces aim to disrupt drug routes and weaken international crime networks. He added that the United States intends to stop supplies that move by sea and soon by land as well.
Trump told reporters that Washington is considering action inside Venezuela. He described the next steps as “land action” and said a decision could come soon as he travelled to Asia on Saturday.
CNN reported that the White House is weighing operations against cocaine sites in Venezuela. Trump has not confirmed whether he will authorise attacks.
Members of Congress from both parties have questioned whether Trump has proper authority to approve the strikes. Democratic senators wrote to the White House last month after a vessel was hit without clear proof of a threat to the United States.
Republican Senator Rand Paul has argued that land operations would need approval from lawmakers. Trump insists he can act under existing law and said he might return to Congress later depending on future actions.
US officials said the latest raid targeted a boat belonging to the Tren de Aragua criminal group. Pete Hegseth, the Defence Secretary, called those killed “narco terrorists”. Venezuela views these operations as a signal aimed at pushing its armed forces to abandon Maduro.
Christopher Sabatini of Chatham House told the BBC that the strategy seeks fear within the Venezuelan leadership rather than a direct invasion. He described it as an attempt to influence internal power dynamics without a ground assault.
