U.S. Carrier Arrives In Caribbean Sea, Escalating Tensions

CARIBBEAN – The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, has arrived in the Caribbean Sea, prompting speculation about new U.S. pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

U.S. Southern command says the carrier strike group will join forces already in the region to “defeat and dismantle” criminal networks as part of the Trump administration’s anti-narco terrorism effort.

The move comes as more U.S. warships deploy off Venezuela, despite Drug Enforcement Agency reports the country is not a major drug source.

Maduro accuses Washington of seeking regime change, while President Donald Trump says he has “sort of” decided his next steps.