From Fox News: As President Donald Trump warns of “zero tolerance” for narco-states in America’s backyard, China is tightening its grip on Venezuela — a high-risk economic and political bet that could soon collide with U.S. power.
U.S. defense officials confirmed to Reuters last month that a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group had entered the Southern Command region, which covers the Caribbean and the northern coast of South America, to monitor narcotrafficking routes linked to Venezuela’s military leadership.
The Pentagon said the arrival of USS Gerald R. Ford, carrying more than 4,000 sailors and dozens of tactical aircraft, would “bolster US capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities.” It added that the mission aims to “degrade and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.”
Within weeks, Venezuelan officers were reportedly training for guerrilla-style defense against a possible U.S. strike — an acknowledgment, according to Reuters, of “rising anxiety inside Caracas.”
According to the report, China unveiled a “zero-tariff” trade agreement with Venezuela.
China expert Gordan Chang said, “This really looks like China is going to completely take over the Venezuelan economy. It’s going to decimate Venezuela’s local industry.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R-Fla.) announced on Tuesday, “From the United States Congress, I can confirm that our largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has entered the area of control of the Southern Command in the Atlantic, to join the military deployment against the Cartel of the Suns. Strength and faith.”
Desde el Congreso de Estados Unidos, puedo confirmar que nuestro portaaviones más grande, el USS Gerald R. Ford, ha ingresado al área de control del Comando Sur en el Atlántico, para incorporarse al despliegue militar contra el Cártel de los Soles. Fuerza y fe. pic.twitter.com/4IoJp1tCC5
— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) November 11, 2025
In a major escalation of Pres. Trump's fight against drug cartels, the USS Gerald R. Ford — the world's most lethal aircraft carrier – arrived in the waters near Latin America. As @MarthaRaddatz reports, Venezuela has mobilized 200,000 troops. https://t.co/0bR3CChR9a pic.twitter.com/u06xSKo5sh
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) November 13, 2025
READ MORE from Fox News.
China is moving even deeper into Venezuela just as Prez Trump is hitting its regime harder. @EfratLachter @FoxNewsDigital https://t.co/e3QNgOY53h
— Gordon G. Chang (@GordonGChang) November 12, 2025
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