US Deploys Largest Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Near Venezuela Amid Escalating Anti-Drug Operations

The Trump administration is intensifying its military and covert operations against Venezuela under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, including maritime strikes that have killed dozens and the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean. President Trump has hinted at the possibility of expanding the campaign to land operations, raising fears of a potential invasion, which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his allies vehemently deny, accusing the U.S. of fabricating war to overthrow the Venezuelan government. The U.S. has authorized CIA covert actions and increased military presence in the region, including joint exercises with allies like Trinidad and Tobago, despite questions from lawmakers and analysts about the legal and strategic justification for these actions. Though framed as a fight against narcotics, reports from entities like the UNODC and the U.S. DEA indicate Venezuela is not a major cocaine hub, suggesting the campaign may be driven by broader geopolitical goals, including regime change and control over Venezuela's vast oil reserves. Critics warn that these escalating tensions could lead to armed conflict, with concerns about the potential consequences of a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela's large and challenging terrain. This situation underscores the complex interplay of anti-drug efforts, regional security, and U.S. foreign policy ambitions in Latin America.