The US Navy has confirmed the deployment of a formidable naval strike force, led by the USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest warship, to the Caribbean. This move, ordered by President Donald Trump last month, comes amidst escalating tensions with Venezuela and ongoing military operations targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels in the region. Since its initiation, the US has conducted at least 19 strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of 76 individuals. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the US of orchestrating a fabricated crisis aimed at destabilizing his socialist government. The strike force, which entered the operational area of US Southern Command on November 11, includes the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, guided-missile destroyers, and various support vessels. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the deployment aims to enhance the US’s ability to detect and disrupt illicit activities, particularly narcotics trafficking, in the region. This deployment significantly amplifies the US military presence in Latin America, which already includes thousands of troops, a nuclear-powered submarine, and military aircraft based in Puerto Rico. The recent strikes have heightened tensions with Colombia and Venezuela, raising concerns among human rights observers about potential violations. Despite these tensions, President Trump has dismissed suggestions of plans to overthrow the Venezuelan government or initiate a conflict, emphasizing the necessity of the strikes to combat drug trafficking.