The U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has left the Mediterranean and is now on its way to the Caribbean, an unusual move that expands on an already significant military buildup in the region.

USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group arrives in Southern Command area of operations near Venezuela as part of the Trump administration’s campaign against drug cartels.

The Pentagon’s “heavy” plan proposes deploying an aircraft carrier and bombers for deep strikes in northern Nigeria against Islamist militants.

The United States military has reportedly developed plans for potential strikes on Nigeria, following President Donald Trump’s recent warning that the US would enter the country “guns-a-blazing”

According to recent analysis, the Pentagon has assembled sufficient military assets in the Caribbean to launch an air campaign against Venezuela, including the USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike group and F-35B stealth fighters,

Hegseth’s order comes as the Trump administration has been striking alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea.