The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford (CVN-78) heads to Venezuela, following weeks of US attacks on suspected drug traffickers.
It is the latest escalation of a military buildup across the country. Eight warships, a nuclear submarine and a squadron of F-35 fighters are positioned within easy striking distance, and now they will soon be joined by the world’s largest aircraft carrier.
40 drug traffickers killed so far
President Donald Trump accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of allying with drug cartels to introduce narcotics into the United States. The United States government is offering a reward of $50 million for his arrest.
So far, the US military has carried out 10 attacks against drug vessels carrying large quantities of drugs, killing 40 people.
Maduro, of course, denies everything and accuses President Trump of trying to force a regime change.
In response to one of the attacks, Maduro sent two armed F-16 fighter jets flying over a Navy warship in a weak attempt at a show of force.
The next ground attacks?
The Ford and its 5,000 sailors should arrive in about a week, with a full arsenal of missiles and up to 75 aircraft.
While the attacks so far have been against vessels transporting drugs, President Trump has confirmed that the next attacks will be land attacks.
“The working class would rise up and declare a general insurrectional strike in the streets until they regain power,” says Maduro if the US removes him from power. “Millions of men and women with rifles would march across the country.”
