Over ten U.S. warships, including the Gerald F. Ford, the nation’s largest aircraft carrier, are moving into the Caribbean amid rising tensions between President Trump and Venezuela.
Marine expeditionary forces, ready for amphibious land operations, have also been sent to help curb the flow of drugs coming from socialist nations towards the U.S.
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan stated, “The military’s job is to protect the homeland.” He mentioned, on Fox News, that they are utilizing their top resources for this purpose.
He further explained, “More Americans have died from drugs than we have ever lost in war. I think the president has rightly identified this as an assault on the country, and that’s undeniable.”
Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro, faces accusations of letting drug shipments leave for the United States.
Among the ships in the Caribbean is the USS Ford, which carries nine carrier air wings with over 70 aircraft from various states.
Other vessels include the USS Ioh Jamia, capable of carrying six Harrier II attack planes, along with Navy destroyers USS Gravely and USS Stockdale, and cruiser USS Lake Erie and USS Gettysburg.
Approximately 2,200 Marines from Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina are part of the military presence in the Caribbean.
In total, around 15,000 troops are stationed in the region, including about 5,000 on bases in Puerto Rico. Roosevelt Roads Naval Base has been reopened as part of this military buildup.
This enhanced military presence is part of President Trump’s Operation Southern Spear, aiming to regulate the dangerous drug trade flowing into the country, with support from the Coast Guard and Homeland Security.
This also aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize U.S. military capabilities, incorporating AI, unmanned systems, and hypersonic technology, alongside Trump’s initiative to revive domestic shipbuilding jobs.
Phelan commented on Trump’s interest in shipbuilding during an appearance, noting the importance of re-establishing manufacturing skills, as the country has shifted its focus more towards technical skills in recent years.
