As part of the announcement of a new phase of its military offensive against drug trafficking, dubbed Operation Southern Spear, the United States released the first images of the famous aircraft carrier Gerald Ford arriving in the Caribbean. In the message posted on the official account of the powerful U.S. aircraft carrier, officials stated that “Strategic Group Twelve provides a purposeful presence: to deter illegal networks, disrupt transnational threats, safeguard the Caribbean, and defend the homeland.”

“U.S. military forces, such as the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, are deploying in support of U.S. Southern Command’s mission, operations directed by the Department of War, and the President’s priorities to disrupt drug trafficking and protect the homeland,” the statement said. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), F/A-18E/F Super Hornets assigned to Fighter Strike Squadrons 31, 37, 87, and 213 of Carrier Air Wing Eight, and a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress operate as a multi-domain joint force, November 13, 2025 | Photo: USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

“The United States Navy’s Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which includes the flagship USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), in the lead ,” the publication says.

The United States specified that this involves the deployment of the USS Winston S. Churchill, the USS Mahan, the USS Bainbridge, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft.

The fleet operates “as a multi-domain joint force with a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber,” the aircraft carrier’s official account stated. The world’s largest aircraft carrier has joined the U.S. operation against drug trafficking from Latin America, which Venezuela insists is aimed at overthrowing dictator Nicolás Maduro.

The arrival of the “USS Gerald Ford” in the region coincided with a new military deployment by Venezuela to respond to “imperial threats” and Russia’s condemnation of the bombing of vessels allegedly carrying drugs.

One of the most recent attacks occurred in the Pacific. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reported the deaths of four people aboard two vessels. The number of ships bombed has now reached 20, with at least 78 deaths.

Since September, the United States has deployed warships, fighter jets, and thousands of troops to the Caribbean for these operations against drug trafficking, allegedly originating from Venezuela and Colombia. The U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command stated in a press release that the USS Gerald Ford, whose deployment was ordered almost three weeks ago, has entered its area of responsibility, which encompasses Latin America and the Caribbean.

“It will strengthen the United States’ ability to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the security and prosperity of the United States and our security in the Western Hemisphere,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.