CARACAS, WASHINGTON - Tensions between Venezuela and the United States have escalated sharply following the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, in the Caribbean region.

The U.S. Navy confirmed the ship’s presence to international media but declined to disclose its exact location. The carrier joins an existing U.S. naval task force already operating in the area.

According to Washington, the deployment is part of anti-narcotics operations aimed at intercepting drug-smuggling routes in the Caribbean. However, human rights organizations have accused the U.S. of conducting extrajudicial killings, citing reports of lethal strikes on small vessels allegedly involved in the drug trade.

U.S. links raids to Venezuelan criminal network

The U.S. government claims that the targeted boats were connected to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which Washington recently designated as a terrorist organization. President Donald Trump defended the military actions, stating they are “necessary to protect the safety of Americans.”

Venezuela announces military mobilization

In response, Venezuelan authorities have condemned the U.S. presence as an “imperialist threat” and announced a “massive military mobilization” to defend the country’s borders and maritime territory.

Analysts warn that the latest developments mark a significant escalation in an already tense regional standoff. The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford — a nuclear-powered supercarrier with thousands of personnel — underscores the growing militarization of the southern Caribbean, an area that has become increasingly volatile amid U.S.–Venezuela hostilities.