UPDATE: The Pentagon has just announced the urgent deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the U.S. Southern Command, targeting drug trafficking operations in Latin America. This significant military buildup aims to combat dangerous transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that threaten the safety of the United States and its allies.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that the carrier will operate across the Central America, South America, and Caribbean regions, stating its mission is to “detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors.” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized that these forces will bolster existing efforts to dismantle narcotics trafficking networks.
The USS Ford, currently returning from NATO exercises in the Mediterranean, will take several days to reach its designated area. Parnell did not specify the exact location of the carrier’s operations but highlighted the urgency of these measures in light of recent military actions against drug smuggling.
Earlier today, the U.S. military conducted its 10th strike on a suspected drug-running vessel operated by the Tren de Aragua gang in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of six individuals. Hegseth noted this strike underscores the U.S. commitment to treating drug traffickers with the same level of force as terrorist organizations.
In a striking social media post, Hegseth stated, “If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat Al-Qaeda.” This statement reflects the administration’s intensified focus on the drug crisis, which contributes to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually in the U.S.
President Donald Trump has previously signed an executive order designating Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and other major drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, paving the way for increased military engagement. In response to questions about military action against cartels, Trump stated, “We’re going to kill them. They’re going to be, like, dead.”
The latest operations mark a shift in military strategy, expanding the scope of U.S. strikes into the eastern Pacific Ocean, where much of the world’s cocaine is trafficked. Videos shared on social media show the dramatic moments of these strikes, with projectiles hitting targets on the water, illustrating the escalating conflict against the drug trade.
As tensions rise, all eyes are on the U.S. Southern Command to see how these developments will unfold. The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford is a clear signal of the U.S. government’s commitment to tackling the drug crisis head-on.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops, and watch for potential impacts on both domestic and international fronts.
