Pentagon Deploys USS Gerald R. Ford to Combat Drug Trafficking

URGENT UPDATE: The Pentagon has just announced the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to U.S. Southern Command, aiming to combat drug trafficking organizations in Latin America. This significant military buildup targets illicit activities that threaten the safety and security of the United States and its neighbors.

According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, this strategic move will enhance the U.S. military’s ability to “detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors” throughout the Central America, South America, and Caribbean Sea. The USS Ford, which recently participated in NATO exercises in the North Sea, will take several days to reach its operational area.

Earlier today, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the military’s ongoing commitment to dismantling transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). This comes after a deadly strike on a drug-running boat linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, resulting in six fatalities. Hegseth emphasized that these actions are critical in the fight against drug cartels, which he stated are responsible for the surge in overdose deaths in the U.S.

In a bold statement, Hegseth declared, “If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat Al-Qaeda.” He underscored the military’s resolve to track and eliminate those involved in drug trafficking operations.

The U.S. response has escalated since President Donald Trump designated Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and major Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations earlier this year. This designation expands military engagement and signals a more aggressive approach towards combating drug-related violence that has devastated communities across America.

Trump has indicated that military action is a necessary response to the ongoing drug crisis, stating, “We’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country.” This sentiment reflects the administration’s urgency to address the national emergency posed by drug trafficking.

As this situation develops, analysts and officials will closely monitor the carrier’s deployment and its potential impact on the drug trade in the region. The U.S. military’s operational objectives will likely expand as they seek to counteract the growing influence of drug cartels.

Stay tuned for further updates as the USS Gerald R. Ford approaches its destination and military operations intensify in the fight against drug trafficking.