Khaberni - The American Southern Military Command (SOUTHCOM) announced on Sunday the arrival of the aircraft carrier "USS Gerald Ford" to the Caribbean in the framework of drug interdiction operations, amid reports of a potential military operation against Venezuela.
SOUTHCOM, which covers Latin America and the Caribbean, stated in its declaration that the aircraft carrier group will join the forces currently in the Caribbean, including an amphibious group and a marine unit.
The "USS Gerald Ford" is the most advanced and largest aircraft carrier in the American Navy, carrying 4 squadrons of fighter aircraft, accompanied by 3 missile-destroyers.
The disclosure of the carrier's arrival to the Caribbean came a day after announcing maritime maneuvers, the second within less than a month, between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago.
Venezuelan Criticism
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro criticized these maneuvers on Saturday, describing them as irresponsible, in a speech he delivered to a crowd of his supporters in the capital, Caracas.
Since August, Washington has been deploying significant military capabilities in the Caribbean region, including 6 warships, with an announced aim of combating drug smuggling to the United States.
American media reports have discussed plans being considered by the administration of President Donald Trump for conducting military operations against Venezuela under the pretext of Maduro's involvement in drug trafficking targeting the United States.
The extent of the supposed American military operations, which American reports say may aim to overthrow the Venezuelan president, has not been clarified.
According to these reports, American forces are preparing to issue orders for a possible attack on Venezuela.
Conversely, the Venezuelan command has announced the mobilization of its forces across the country in anticipation of American attacks.
It should be noted that in the past few weeks, the American forces have targeted 20 boats in international waters under the pretense that they were being used for drug smuggling, resulting in several casualties.
