The US military is escalating its presence in South America by deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to combat drug trafficking and illicit activities, particularly targeting the Tren de Aragua gang. This move follows a series of military strikes against drug-running boats, raising concerns about potential military actions against Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration's approach has drawn comparisons to the war on terror, with lawmakers expressing mixed reactions regarding the legality and implications of these military actions.