Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – According to Politico, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier arrived in the Caribbean Sea on the 16th local time, marking a large-scale military buildup near Venezuela.
The US Navy announced in a statement that the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford and other warships in the Caribbean Sea signifies a key phase in what the US calls "anti-drug operations."
The report states that since early September, the US has launched 20 attacks on small drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 80 deaths. The addition of the USS Gerald R. Ford brings the US military's firepower buildup in the region to its peak, currently comprising nearly 12 naval vessels and approximately 12,000 sailors and Marines.
The report points out that this move by the US military is also seen as a means of increasing pressure on Venezuela. The US has historically used aircraft carriers to deter other countries, as their carrier-based aircraft can penetrate deep into foreign territory to strike targets. The report also cites expert analysis suggesting that the USS Gerald R. Ford is not suitable for combating drug cartels.
