US Deploys Aircraft Carrier to Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions over Trump's War on Drugs

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group to the region to help "detect, monitor, and disrupt" the activities of what the Trump administration has branded "narco terrorists". This move comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed the country has 5,000 Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles in "key defence positions" amid a growing military threat from the US. The US has also deployed 4,500 marines and sailors to the waters around Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its ramped-up effort to combat drug cartels.

Key Takeaways:

• The US has deployed the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group to Venezuela to counter what the Trump administration has branded "narco terrorists".
• Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has claimed the country has 5,000 Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles in "key defence positions".
• The US has deployed 4,500 marines and sailors to the waters around Latin America and the Caribbean to combat drug cartels.
• The Trump administration has authorized the CIA to conduct covert missions in Venezuela as part of its campaign against Mr. Maduro.
• The US is considering expanding its military campaign to land, saying they have the sea "very well under control".
• Venezuelan President Maduro has mobilized "millions" of militia members and is training civilians for combat to protect the nation.
• The Venezuelan military has activated new defence zones across the country.

Statistics:

• 5,000: The number of Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles claimed by President Maduro to be in "key defence positions" in Venezuela.
• 4,500: The number of marines and sailors deployed by the US to the waters around Latin America and the Caribbean.
• 1: The number of aircraft carrier, the Gerald R Ford, deployed to the region.
• numbers of militia members: Estimated number of militia members mobilized by President Maduro.

Sources:

• "US deploys aircraft carrier to Venezuela as tensions rise over war on drugs" by Susie Coen US CORRESPONDENT, The.
• Quote from Nicolas Maduro at an event with military personnel, as reported in The.