US Military Steps Up in the Caribbean: What's Really Going On?

The US has sent a big warship, the USS Gerald R Ford, to the Caribbean. This is the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier the US has. It's not alone; other warships are joining it. This move is part of a bigger plan to stop drugs from coming into the US. The US has already attacked boats they say are involved in drug trafficking. These attacks have happened ten times since September. The US says these actions are about fighting drugs, but many people think it's also about pressuring Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro, to leave office. The US is also targeting Colombia's President Gustavo Petro. They've put sanctions on him and his family. The US says Petro is involved in drug dealing, but this claim is disputed. The US has a lot of military power in the region. There are 10, 000 troops, eight warships, a submarine, and fighter jets. They're using helicopters, drones, and spy planes too. The US says this is to stop drugs, but some people wonder if it's about something else. The US has threatened to attack targets on land next. They've already attacked a boat at night, saying it was run by a gang called Tren de Aragua. The US has labeled this gang as terrorists. The USS Gerald R Ford was recently in Europe with three destroyers and 4, 500 troops. Now it's heading to the Caribbean. No one knows exactly when it will get there.