Although he Pentagon insists that the mission of the battle group, which includes at least eight warships, a submarine and airplanes F-35 fighters and thousands of soldiers, has as its objective the fight against drug trafficking, analysts agree that the magnitude of the deployment suggests broader preparations.
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He USS Gerald R Fordaccompanied by destroyers and cruisers with guided missile capabilities, constitutes a aerial projection platform that can operate hundreds of daily departures, something unprecedented in the region since the invasion of Panama in 1989.
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is anchored after its arrival in Palma de Mallorca on October 3, 2025. (Photo by Jaime REINA / AFP).
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According to information from the Reuters agency this Tuesday, The USS Gerald R. Ford is already in Latin American waters which are the responsibility of Southern Command.
According to the chief Pentagon spokesperson, Sean Parnellthe buildup of US forces in the region seeks “detect, monitor and disrupt illicit activities and actors that compromise the security and prosperity of the United States and our security in the Western Hemisphere”.
He assured that this deployment will improve and expand the capabilities to “interrupt drug trafficking and weaken and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations”.
On November 4, it had been reported that the aircraft carrier together with its battle group crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. to leave the Mediterranean and head towards the Atlantic, specifically to the Southern Command area of responsibility, which is the Caribbean and Latin America.
In general, the location of an aircraft carrier in an area where there are already military actions, since since the beginning of September boats that supposedly carry drugs have been attacked, it has a very significant political and military burdeneven when fighting does not occur.
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the first of its class, sails through the Atlantic Ocean Oct. 9, 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins.)
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The first sign is deterrencesince an aircraft carrier is not only a ship, but it is practically a mobile air base which can project power more than 1,000 kilometers away. Its presence communicates to other actors that The United States is willing and prepared to respond militarily if the situation escalatesand in that case we would move from deterrence to direct action.
In the case of the USS Geral R Ford, can carry more than 75 aircraftincluding F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, F/A-18 Super Hornets, Seahawk helicopters and MQ-25 Stingray surveillance drones. Its complement exceeds 4,500 crew members.
It can launch up to 160 air operations dailyan unprecedented number that allows you to maintain a constant offensive or react to any threat in minutes.
It operates on nuclear propulsion, allowing it to operate for more than 25 years without the need to refuel.guaranteeing practically unlimited autonomy and reducing logistical dependency.
The United States aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford. (AFP).
For Andrés Gómez de la Torrespecialist in defense and intelligence issues, the displacement of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford must be interpreted within a process of “progressive and controlled escalations” by Washington, aimed at increase military pressure on Venezuela.
“These are deterrents that are developed by degrees, with increasing operational capacity of the Joint Task Force “North American”explained to The Commerce.
“The combat group already has the means to execute selective and surgical attacksor even to support extractive operationsas attempts to capture regime figures”he added, alluding to the fact that USA may have already carried out previous intelligence and sabotage maneuvers in Venezuelan territory.
Trump’s alternatives
The USS Gravely, a US Navy warship, set sail from the port of Port of Spain on October 30, 2025. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP).
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As for the options I would be analyzing trump to act militarily against Venezuelalast week The New York Times revealed that three main alternatives are being analyzed:
First, targeted airstrikes against military installations and units linked to supporting Ripewith the aim of undermining the support of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and that the fall of the regime occurs from within.
Second, special forces operations to arrest or neutralize (kill) Maduro.
And third, broader deployments to take control of airfields, oil fields and other key infrastructure in Venezuela.
It was previously reported that Trump authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela.
However, a final decision regarding what Trump is seeking in Venezuela is still not officially known.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber performs a demonstration during the Australian International Airshow, Feb. 27, 2015. (Photo by Paul Crock/AFP)
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Gómez de la Torre stressed that the recent overflights of US strategic bombers near Venezuelathe B-52 or B-1 Lancerare part of the North American pressure pattern and serve to evaluate the early warning and response capacity of the FANB.
“We are in a prelude to direct military actionand we have been for a long time”held. “This prelude has been prolonged, but it continues to move forward,” remarked.
Does Venezuela have options against the United States?
A Venezuelan Army tank of Russian origin participates in a military parade during the Independence Day celebrations, in Caracas, on July 5, 2025. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP).
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Is Venezuela capable of facing direct military action from the United States?
On Tuesday, The FANB activated a “massive” deployment in all the states of the country to respond to the “imperial threats” of the United States.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defense, a “massive deployment of land, air, naval, river and missile means; weapons systems, military units, Bolivarian militia (enlisted civilians)”, among other police, military and citizen defense structures.
Meanwhile, the AFP agency reported that Maduro warned on Monday that his structure has “strength and power” to respond to the United Stateswhich would include civilians. “If imperialism were to strike and cause damage, from the moment the order of operations was decreed, (we would have) mobilization and combat of the entire people of Venezuela,” said.
Regarding the defense possibilities of the Venezuelan forces, Gómez de la Torre was blunt: “Venezuela has no real military resources to resist a US offensive. Although it has requested advanced weapons from Russia and China, these teams do not arrive overnight and require long periods of training and adaptation, especially in missile matters.”
A member of the Bolivarian National Militia carries a Russian-made 9K338 “Igla-S” (SA-18) portable surface-to-air missile launcher (MANPAD) during a demonstration against US military activity in the Caribbean. (Photo by Federico Parra / AFP).
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According to your reading, Maduro tries to buy time and maintain a negotiating margin with Washington to avoid a military outcome. “It has sought to temper the possibility of an invasion even with direct communications to trumpbut those efforts were ignored,” he stated.
If the scenario finally led to direct intervention, the specialist considered that Venezuela could only opt for an asymmetric and prolonged warwith very little chance of success.
“Resistance capabilities are relative. Just look at what happened with Iran in the face of Israeli attacks: despite having a military power superior to that of Venezuela, it was unable to neutralize the selective bombings. In the case of Caracas, the possibilities would be – to say the least – meager”, concludes.
