The United States has successfully eliminated three narco-terrorists in a recent military strike in the Caribbean, as the Pentagon intensifies its operations in the area under Operation Southern Spear.

On Sunday, the USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s most technologically advanced aircraft carrier, made its way into the Caribbean Sea, showcasing the formidable strength of the US military.

This surge in military presence has sparked debate about the Trump administration’s strategic plans for South America, especially given the increased deployment of troops and weaponry.

Saturday’s operation marked the 21st strike in the region as President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explore various strategies to combat Venezuelan drug trafficking networks.

The recent operation brings the total number of individuals neutralized in these efforts to 83, following the deaths of the three men labeled as ‘narco-terrorists’ by the US.

According to a statement from the US Southern Command shared on social media, intelligence reports had identified the vessel as part of an illegal narcotics operation, navigating a well-known drug trafficking route while transporting illicit substances.

They claimed that the vessel was trafficking drugs in the Eastern Pacific and was struck in international waters. 

It comes as the administration takes steps toward designating Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in a move which Trump warned could allow him to target Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his assets.

The United States killed three narco-terrorist in yet another strike in the Caribbean, as the Pentagon continues to increase its presence in the region as part of Operation Southern Spear

‘It allows us to do that, but we haven’t said we’re going to do that,’ Trump said on Sunday. 

‘We may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we’ll see how that turns out. They would like to talk.’

Trump said he intends to keep Congress in the loop regarding his next steps, but warned it would be a courtesy and not out of necessity.

‘I mean, we’re stopping drug dealers and drugs from coming into our country,’ he said. ‘We don’t have to get their approval. But I think letting them know is good.’ 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the new designation on Sunday, warning: ‘The Cartel de los Soles is headed by Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking individuals of the illegitimate Maduro regime who have corrupted Venezuela. 

‘Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela’s legitimate government. 

‘Cartel de los Soles by and with other designated FTOs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.’

The arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford and other warships marks a major development in what the administration insists is a counterdrug operation but has been seen as an escalating pressure tactic against Maduro.

The Ford rounds off the largest buildup of US firepower in the region in generations. With its arrival, the ‘Operation Southern Spear’ mission includes nearly a dozen Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines. 

It comes as the nation’s most advanced aircraft carrier arrived in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday in a display of US military power, raising questions about what the new influx of troops and weaponry could signal for the Trump administration’s intentions in South America

The carrier strike group, which includes squadrons of fighter jets and guided-missile destroyers, transited the Anegada Passage near the British Virgin Islands on Sunday morning, the Navy said.

Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, who commands the strike group, said it will bolster an already large force of American warships to ‘protect our nation’s security and prosperity against narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.’

Admiral Alvin Holsey, the commander who oversees the Caribbean and Latin America, said American forces ‘stand ready to combat the transnational threats that seek to destabilize our region.’

Holsey, who will retire next month after just a year on the job, said the strike group’s deployment is ‘a critical step in reinforcing our resolve to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the safety of the American Homeland.’

In Trinidad and Tobago, which is only seven miles from Venezuela at its closest point, government officials said troops have begun ‘training exercises’ with the US military that will run through much of the week.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sean Sobers described the joint exercises as the second in less than a month and said they are aimed at tackling violent crime on the island nation, which has become a stopover point for drug shipments headed to Europe and North America. 

The prime minister has been a vocal supporter of the US military strikes.

The exercises will include Marines from the 22nd Expeditionary Unit who have been stationed aboard the Navy ships that have been looming off Venezuela’s coast for months.

The strike on Saturday was the 21st in the region, as Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth continue to mull options against Venezuelan drug traffickers

The strike came at the behest of Secretary of War Hegseth

Venezuela’s government has described the training exercises as an act of aggression. It had no immediate comment Sunday on the arrival of the aircraft carrier.

Meanwhile, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said Sunday that US troops have been training in Panama, underscoring the administration’s increasing focus on Latin America.

‘We’re reactivating our jungle school in Panama. We would be ready to act on whatever’ Trump and Hegseth needed, he told CBS’ ‘Face the Nation.’ 

The administration has insisted that the buildup of American forces in the region is focused on stopping the flow of drugs into the US, but it has released no evidence to support its assertions that those killed in the boats were ‘narcoterrorists.’ 

Trump has also indicated military action would expand beyond strikes by sea, saying the US would ‘stop the drugs coming in by land.’

The US has long used aircraft carriers to pressure and deter aggression by other nations because their warplanes can strike targets deep inside another country. 

Some experts say the Ford is ill-suited to fighting cartels, but it could be an effective instrument of intimidation for Maduro in a push to get him to step down.

Rubio said the United States does not recognize Maduro, who was widely accused of stealing last year’s election, as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called Venezuela’s government a ‘transshipment organization’ that openly cooperates with those trafficking drugs

Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the US, has said the US government is ‘fabricating’ a war against him

Rubio has called Venezuela’s government a ‘transshipment organization’ that openly cooperates with those trafficking drugs.

Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the US, has said the US government is ‘fabricating’ a war against him. 

On his Facebook page, Maduro wrote on Sunday that the ‘Venezuelan people are ready to defend their homeland against any criminal aggression.’

Trump has justified the attacks on drug boats by saying the US is in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels while claiming the boats are operated by foreign terrorist organizations.

He has faced pushback from leaders in the region, the UN human rights chief and US lawmakers, including Republicans, who have pressed for more information on who is being targeted and the legal justification for the boat strikes.

Senate Republicans, however, recently voted to reject legislation that would have put a check on Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela without congressional authorization.