[Regnum] Amid the escalating US-Venezuela standoff, a US Navy carrier strike group has arrived in the Caribbean Sea. The US Navy press service reported this on November 16.
"The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, led by the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), has transited Anegada Channel and entered the Caribbean Sea," the Navy's website said.
The Navy clarified that operations in this water area are being conducted in connection with an order from Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth to combat transnational organizations involved in drug smuggling.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuela of involvement in drug smuggling across the US border. In September, US Navy ships entered the Caribbean Sea and began destroying motorboats allegedly carrying illegal substances.
On November 4, the Pentagon announced the launch of a new operation in the Caribbean, codenamed Southern Spear, targeting drug trafficking groups. Hegseth emphasized that the United States views the entire Americas as a zone of strategic interest.
On November 15, Venezuela appealed to Iran for political support in response to threats from the United States. That same day, Venezuela reported an act of sabotage against its power grid: three power transmission towers were brought down.