Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced he’s sending an aircraft carrier strike group to move to the Caribbean as President Donald Trump pushes to counter what he calls “narco-terrorism.” It’s a major escalation by the president after weeks of targeting what he says are drug-running boats.

The US Pentagon has ordered an aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean, saying it aims to counter drug cartels. But Venzuelan leader Nicolas Maduro says the US military buildup in the region is a war threat.

A Pentagon spokesman said Friday that the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group would deploy to the U.S. Southern Command region.