Trump Sends World's Strongest Carrier Off Venezuela – What is the Reason?

Despite the US designating Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as a leader of a terrorist organization, US officials revealed that President Donald Trump told his advisors he plans to speak directly with Maduro, signaling that immediate direct military intervention might not be imminent. However, a significant development, according to observers, has brought matters back to the starting point.

1. The Arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford

• Location: The US aircraft carrier "USS Gerald R. Ford" (CVN-78) has arrived near the Venezuelan coast in the Caribbean.

• Deployment Significance: Military analysts consider the deployment a potential signal of a major escalation in military and political pressure on Maduro's government.

• Official Intent (Message of Strength): Military analyst Brandon Weichert viewed the deployment as a "message of strength" and a way to ensure maximum success if the White House decides to execute a proposed attack on Venezuela.

2. Military Power and Risks

• Tremendous Force Multiplier: Weichert described the Ford as a "terrifying adversary" and a "tremendous force multiplier," significantly enhancing the US naval fleet's capabilities off the coast of the socialist Latin American state.

• Overwhelming Superiority: The analysis concluded that the Ford's arrival against a regional mid-tier opponent like Venezuela shifts the military balance from "very favorable" to "totally overwhelming," particularly in air superiority, sea control, and precision strikes.

• Potential Goal: Paving the way for a military operation or a broad naval blockade (maritime quarantine) to control maritime supply lines.

• Venezuelan Risks: Weichert stressed that the US Navy must remain wary of Venezuela’s defenses, pointing out that its Russian-made anti-ship missiles (like the Kh-31A/AD) could hit the Ford "by mistake," especially given the Navy's "modest performance" against Houthi missiles near Yemen.

• The Critical Moment: Weichert concluded that the Trump administration appears intent on an attack and is just waiting for the "moment of maximum opportunity," which is rapidly approaching.

3. Advanced Carrier Technology

• Launch and Recovery Systems: The carrier utilizes the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).

• Operational Advantage: If EMALS is operating correctly, the carrier can cycle a greater number of aircraft sorties during battle without exhausting assets, which is crucial for a prolonged air campaign to suppress Venezuelan air defenses.