On November 16, 2025, the US Navy announced the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean Sea, marking a significant military buildup aimed at countering drug trafficking and narco-terrorism threats from Venezuela. This operation, dubbed “Southern Spear,” involves nearly 12,000 sailors and Marines along with multiple Navy ships, underscoring a strategic shift to enhance US national security and regional stability. The intensified military presence has sparked tensions with Venezuela, which perceives the US actions as aggressive posturing against President Nicolás Maduro’s government. This development not only reflects the complexities of US-Venezuelan relations but also highlights broader geopolitical implications for security dynamics in the Western Hemisphere.