U.S. Aircraft Carrier Gerald Ford Arrives in Virgin Islands Amidst Venezuela Tensions
St. Thomas,US Virgin Islands – Teh U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands today, approximately 596 miles (970 kilometers) from Venezuelan territory. The deployment occurs against a backdrop of escalating diplomatic and political pressure from the trump governance towards the Maduro regime in Venezuela.
Images circulating online show the massive vessel approaching the Caribbean archipelago. U.S. Southern Command confirmed the visit is a scheduled port call as part of the carrier strike group’s participation in ‘Operation Southern Spear.’
This marks the Gerald R. Ford’s first visit to St. thomas since joining the Southern Command earlier this month, having transited the Anegada Passage and entered the Caribbean Sea on November 16, 2025.
Rear Admiral paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, emphasized the readiness of the crew. “The Sailors on our team have been extremely adaptable, taking our US Southern Command task as their number one priority, doing their part to support the defense of our homeland,” he stated. He further explained that the port visit allows the crew necessary rest and recovery to continue “upholding law and order throughout the western Hemisphere in support of the President’s priorities.”
Operation Southern Spear is a joint task force initiative focused on disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations that exploit shared maritime borders and waterways with the United States.
The deployment is widely interpreted as a exhibition of U.S. resolve as the Trump administration continues to increase pressure on the Maduro government,tho officials maintain the visit was pre-planned and part of routine operations.
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