“The US has deployed the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier near Venezuela — is considering military action against the Maduro regime.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Photo: US Southern Command Source: CBS News
Details: The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group passed Anegada Strait near the British Virgin Islands on Sunday morning, according to the US Navy. Its deployment completes the largest buildup of American firepower in the region in generations.
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The aircraft carrier strike group includes the world’s largest and most modern aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, fighter squadrons, and missile destroyers. The commander of the group, Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, said that their task is to strengthen the already existing US naval forces to “protect the security and prosperity of the nation against narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.”
The head of the US Southern Command (Southcom), Admiral Alvin Golsey, emphasized readiness to fight “transnational threats that are trying to destabilize the region.”
President Trump’s administration calls the fight against drug trafficking the official goal of the operation. The United States accuses Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of collaborating with criminal groups involved in drug smuggling to the United States.
Top Trump administration officials, military and senior officials met Friday at the White House for at least a third straight day to discuss possible military operations in Venezuela, according to the publication’s sources. Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kaine and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among those who spoke with Trump at the White House on Friday, the sources said.
CBS News previously reported that Hegseth, Kaine and other military officials presented Trump on Wednesday with options for potential operations in Venezuela in the coming days, including possible strikes against ground targets.
Trump himself told reporters on Friday that he “sort of made up his mind” about the next steps regarding Venezuela, but refused to reveal details.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, November 11, Venezuela announced the start of large-scale military exercises across the country, in which about 200,000 military personnel will participate.
Many people both inside Venezuela, including Maduro himself, and observers outside the country believe that the increased military pressure from the United States is aimed at forcing Maduro out of office.
Asked in a recent interview with “60 Minutes” whether “Maduro’s days are numbered,” Trump said: “I would say yes. I think so, yes.”
Prehistory:
- On Friday, November 14, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced about the beginning of the large-scale military operation “Southern Spear”, which, according to the official statements of the American administration, is aimed at combating drug trafficking. However, the unprecedented deployment of military forces and previous discussions in the White House about options for military operations in Venezuela may indicate the threat of a possible military intervention.
- Previously, a number of American media, including The New York Times, reportedthat the Trump administration was exploring options for legalizing Venezuela’s declaration of war and the use of special forces to conduct ground operations on its territory.
- Trump also confirmed last month that he had authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela.