Sun Nov 16 23:47:00 UTC 2025: U.S. Navy Deploys Aircraft Carrier to Caribbean Amidst Rising Tensions with Venezuela
Washington, D.C. – November 17, 2025 – The United States Navy has deployed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Caribbean Sea, escalating its military presence near Venezuela. The move comes amidst a series of U.S. military strikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking, actions that the Trump administration defends as a counter-drug operation, but which critics view as increased pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
President Trump hinted at potential discussions with Maduro, stating, “Venezuela would like to talk.” However, he remained vague on the specifics. The deployment, dubbed “Operation Southern Spear,” includes nearly a dozen Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines.
The U.S. military recently announced a deadly strike on a boat in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, claiming it was transporting illegal drugs, killing three men. Similar strikes in recent months have resulted in at least 83 deaths, raising concerns about the legal justification and the targets of these operations.
The deployment is seen as a demonstration of U.S. military power in the region. Meanwhile, joint training exercises between U.S. troops and the military of Trinidad and Tobago have begun, further fueling tensions with Venezuela, which considers these exercises an act of aggression. U.S. troops are also training in Panama, emphasizing the increasing focus on Latin America.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department intends to designate Cartel de los Soles, headed by Maduro and other government officials, a foreign terrorist organization.
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