Trump sends aircraft carrier to waters around Central and South America

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U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers remarks as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an announcement on his Homeland Security Task Force in the State Dining Room of the White House on October 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and its accompanying aircraft to the waters around Central and South America, a move that would likely add some 5,000 troops to the region and significant firepower designed to ratchet up pressure against the Venezuelan government.

The strike group, which is currently operating near Croatia, would likely need at least several days if not weeks to arrive, suggesting that a military attack against Venezuela is not imminent.

“These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs,” or transnational criminal organizations, said Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell.

The move, however, is significant and raises questions about Trump’s pressure campaign aimed at getting Venezuela’s president to step down. Trump on Thursday threatened a direct attack on Venezuela.

So far, the military has struck 10 alleged drug vessels in the region, including eight of them near the coast of Venezuela. But all of those attacks have all been in international waters.

The latest strike occurred overnight, according to Hegseth, who said the target was an alleged drug vessel operated by Tren de Aragua. Hegseth said six people were killed in the attack.

At least 43 people are believed to have been killed in the U.S. strikes so far.

The carrier deployment announced on Friday would add another five Navy ships to the eight already operating there and boost the overall military presence from 10,000 troops to some 15,000 personnel. The strike group also includes F-18 fighter jets, which could be used to ramp up the tempo of military strikes against drug vessels.

The military also has 10 F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones already stationed in the region, while Hegseth has ordered B-52 and B-1 bomber planes, Black Hawk helicopter and MH-6 Little Birds to conduct exercises off the coast of Venezuela.

On Thursday, two U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers flew what was described as a training mission over the Caribbean Sea, sources familiar with the operation told ABC News.

The strikes on drug boats is part of what the administration has called its “war” against drug cartels. But the lethal force has raised several legal questions, as past administrations have relied on law enforcement to interdict drug shipments.

“We’re finally treating the cartels as the core national security threat that they really are. The cartels are waging war on America,” Trump said at a White House event on Thursday where he was joined by Hegseth and other officials to discuss the administration actions against cartels.

The president was asked if he would seek a traditional declaration of war from Congress as they ramp up their campaign against drug cartels and traffickers.

“I don’t think we’re going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war,” Trump said. “I think we’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. OK? We’re going to kill them. You know? They’re going to be, like, dead. OK.”

ABC News’ Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.