Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the US of fabricating a war after sending its largest warship to the Caribbean, as part of a major escalation of its military presence in the region. This was reported by the BBC.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegsett ordered the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which can carry up to 90 aircraft, to move out of the Mediterranean Sea.
"They are fabricating a new perpetual war. They promised they would never get involved in a war again, but in fact they are fabricating a war," the Venezuelan leader said. The United States has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, sending warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 jets in a campaign against drug trafficking.
The Americans have carried out a series of strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea that they say were carrying drugs. Donald Trump's administration claims to be waging a war on drug trafficking.
Nicolas Maduro is a long-time enemy of Trump. The US president has accused him of being the leader of a drug trafficking organization. The Venezuelan head of state has denied the accusations.
The deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean would provide the resources to carry out strikes against ground targets. Trump has repeatedly raised the issue of ground action in Venezuela. He has even given the green light for the CIA to carry out covert operations in the South American country.