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Keys | The United States has concentrated almost 20% of its warships in Caribbean waters since August

The military force that the United States has deployed in international waters of the Caribbean since August is one of the largest concentrations of muscle in its recent history, especially on the American continent: the deployment of warships in the area alone represents almost 20% of the naval power of the leading power active throughout the world.

In December, the Southern Command, responsible for US forces in Latin America, estimated there were around 15,000 soldiers activated in the area. Approximately a third of them are part of the crew of the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, the largest and most modern in the US fleet and the crown jewel of the deployment. This floating citadel carries with it fighter jets and helicopters, including F-35s, the pride of American aviation.

The mobilization began in August, when a flotilla of half a dozen warships arrived in the area, which would gradually increase. In addition to the Ford, which would arrive in the area under Southern Command control at the end of October accompanied by its escort group, the deployment includes an expeditionary group of amphibious ships and a submarine, among others.

In August, Trump signed a secret directive authorizing the use of military force against drug cartels on the State Department’s list of terrorist organizations. On September 2, the first bombing came against an alleged drug boat in international waters in the Caribbean, in which all eleven occupants died. Since then, the United States has destroyed 35 vessels and killed 107 people.

The American show of force also includes transport and cargo aircraft, including C-17s, and special operations aircraft. In addition, the Coast Guard, which had traditionally been in charge of interdiction missions for drug trafficking by sea, has also begun to pursue and board ships that transport Venezuelan oil and violate, according to Washington, international sanctions.