President Donald Trump has ordered the nation's most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to South America as part of an intensified campaign against drug cartels. This move pulls the carrier out of the Mediterranean Sea, leaving the United States with no aircraft carriers in the waters off Europe and the Middle East, at a time when violence has flared in Gaza despite a fragile ceasefire.

The redeployment marks a significant shift in military priorities, with a major buildup of warships, aircraft, and troops near Venezuela. The administration has ramped up fatal strikes on alleged drug boats, and officials have signaled that further escalation, including possible land operations, could be next. The increased military presence has fueled speculation about potential action against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, though experts caution that the forces deployed are not sufficient for a full-scale invasion.

Lawmakers have raised concerns about the lack of congressional approval for these operations, while some allies argue the president has the necessary authority. As tensions rise in both the Middle East and South America, the redeployment of the Ford strike group underscores the administration's shifting focus and the potential for increased instability in the region.