In Colombia, relations with Washington have deteriorated after President Gustavo Petro ordered the suspension of intelligence-sharing activities with US agencies. The move followed ongoing American strikes that Colombia said endangered civilians and regional stability.
The Pentagon has stated that the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group will operate under US Southern Command, focusing on maritime surveillance and counter-narcotics enforcement. The deployment joins other US forces already positioned in the area, including a nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft based in Puerto Rico.
Analysts view the operation as part of a broader show of force by the United States at a time of growing diplomatic strain in the hemisphere. While Washington maintains that its actions are aimed at securing international waters and combating organized crime, several Latin American governments and human rights groups have expressed concern that the military escalation could heighten instability and lead to further loss of life.
