President Donald Trump has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford, the nation's most advanced aircraft carrier, to South America in a major escalation of military efforts against drug cartels. This move shifts the carrier away from the Mediterranean Sea, leaving the US with no carriers in the waters off Europe and the Middle East, even as tensions rise in Gaza and the region faces ongoing instability.

The deployment underscores the administration's increased focus on the Western Hemisphere, with a buildup of warships, aircraft, and troops near Venezuela. US forces have already conducted fatal strikes on alleged drug boats, raising concerns about possible intervention against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who faces narcoterrorism charges in the US. Experts warn that the situation could lead to significant violence and instability in Venezuela.

Lawmakers are divided over the legality and scope of Trump's actions, with some expressing concern about the lack of congressional approval and transparency. The administration maintains that the operations are necessary to combat drug trafficking, while allies suggest that land strikes in Venezuela could be imminent.