US AIRCRAFT CARRIER ARRIVES IN CARIBBEAN AMID ANTI-DRUG OPERATIONS

WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (Bernama-dpa) -- The US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest warship, has arrived in the Caribbean, the US Navy said on Sunday, sparking speculation about Washington's next moves in its campaign against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the region, reported German news agency dpa.

The deployment, ordered by the Pentagon, aims "to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organisations and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland," the navy said in a statement.

The aircraft carrier had already reached the US Southern Command's area of operations, which extends across the Caribbean Sea and waters bordering Central and South America, several days ago. 

On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has recently started calling himself the "secretary of war," then announced the start of Operation Southern Spear to combat drug smuggling in the region. He did not provide details on specific attacks or locations. 

In recent weeks, the US military has repeatedly targeted boats allegedly carrying drug smugglers in the Caribbean and Pacific. The Pentagon confirmed to dpa that there had been 20 attacks, resulting in 79 deaths, by the beginning of the week.

Washington blames gangs, some of which are said to come from Venezuela, for the flow of drugs into the United States.

Caracas has denounced the strong US military presence as a threatening gesture. 

The attacks have also drawn international criticism and prompted the United Nations to call on the US to exercise restraint.

The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford has fuelled speculation that Washington may be aiming for regime change in Venezuela, home to the world's largest oil reserves.

The Trump administration accuses President Nicolás Maduro of being involved in drug smuggling to the US. Trump also recently confirmed that he had authorised covert operations by the CIA, in Venezuela.

--BERNAMA-dpa