The Pentagon on Friday ordered the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to counter drug-trafficking organizations in Latin America, a major escalation of a US military buildup that Venezuela's leader warned was steered at "fabricating a war."

Washington

The United States has intensified its operations against drug trafficking in Latin America, conducting multiple airstrikes targeting the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the US has designated a terrorist organization. A recent strike in international waters resulted in the deaths of six suspected narco-terrorists. The Pentagon has now deployed an aircraft carrier and warships to the southern command area to bolster these efforts.

The escalation has drawn strong reactions from regional leaders. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro warned of armed resistance if US actions continue, while Colombia's government condemned the strikes as extrajudicial killings. Additionally, the US has imposed economic sanctions on the Colombian president, citing inadequate action against drug trafficking. The military actions, ordered without congressional approval, have raised concerns among US lawmakers.

Pentagon sends U.S. carrier to Latin America amid fears of war

This footage shows a boat destroyed in a US airstrike, targeting the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the US has labelled a terrorist organisation. Six male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. All six terrorists were killed. If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat Al-Qaeda. The strike is part of a broader US campaign against drug trafficking. Since September, the US has launched at least 10 air attacks in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing dozens of suspected traffickers. On Thursday, a US B-1B bomber was tracked flying over the Caribbean near Venezuela. To intensify efforts, the Pentagon has ordered an aircraft carrier and warships to deploy to the southern command area. Nicolas Maduro has warned of armed resistance if the US escalates. They are fabricating a new eternal war. They promised they would never again get involved in a war and they are fabricating a war that we are going to prevent. The attacks have drawn condemnation from Bogota, accusing Washington of extrajudicial killings. On Friday, Trump imposed economic sanctions on the Colombian president's assets in the US, alleging he failed to curb drug trafficking. Gustavo Petro was defiant in his response. Fighting narcotrafficking for decades has brought me sanctions. President Trump has justified his stance, calling traffickers unlawful combatants and threatening further actions. But he has ordered the attacks without congressional approval, sparking concern among lawmakers.

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Paris

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The United States is stepping up its military presence in the Caribbean by ordering its most advanced aircraft carrier into the region. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro accused the US of using drug trafficking claims to "fabricate a war" in Latin America.

Caracas

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Deploying an aircraft carrier is a major escalation of military power in a region that has already seen an unusually large US military buildup in the Caribbean Sea and the waters off Venezuela.

U.S sending aircraft carrier to South America in major escalation

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The Pentagon announced the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, is headed toward South America as news emerges about a 10th U.S. strike against alleged drug-carrying vessels in the area.

Pentagon sending world's largest aircraft carrier to Latin America

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The U.S. struck two more alleged drug vessels, this time on the Pacific side of Latin America – totaling nine strikes in less than two months.  Videos released by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday show boats destroyed in two separate military strikes.

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The director of the Louvre admitted to inadequate camera surveillance of the museum's outside walls, three days after thieves robbed it of prize jewels in a brazen daytime heist. But Laurence des Cars said that a diamond- and emerald-studded crown that the burglars damaged and dropped as they fled could be restored.

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Testimony has begun in the murder trial of former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson, who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home last year after she had called 911 for help.

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The U.S. hit another alleged drug vessel with a military strike Tuesday night, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Wednesday. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie d'Agata has more.

Breakdown