(MENAFN) The deployment of a massive American naval force to the Caribbean on Tuesday has ignited international backlash and threatens to destabilize the region following U.S. military operations that have left dozens of suspected drug traffickers dead.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group—spearheaded by the planet's most formidable aircraft carrier—has pushed total American military personnel in the Caribbean beyond 15,000, marking the most significant regional force concentration in 30 years.

Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell stated the deployment aims to "enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations" across the Western Hemisphere, according to an announcement from the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command released Tuesday. The command oversees operations throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Venezuela responded by mobilizing massive military forces to challenge the American naval presence near its territorial waters, with officials cautioning the situation could explode into major armed confrontation.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino reported that approximately 200,000 military personnel conducted drills Tuesday to respond to "imperial threats" and guarantee the nation remained "safeguarded, protected, defended."

The standoff has drawn widespread international alarm and denunciation.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot declared during the Group of Seven foreign ministers' gathering in Canada on Tuesday that U.S. military actions in Caribbean waters "violate international law." Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov characterized the American strikes that same day as exemplifying behavior by "lawless countries" and "those who consider themselves above the law."

American forces have launched military strikes against no fewer than 20 vessels in international maritime zones since September's beginning, resulting in at least 76 fatalities, U.S. data indicates. Authorities have not produced proof these targets were involved in narcotics smuggling. Pentagon representatives acknowledged at a closed-door October 30 House of Representatives panel briefing they cannot confirm the identities of everyone killed during these operations, U.S. media outlets reported, citing attending Democratic legislators.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has consistently denounced Washington's campaign as efforts to overthrow his government while extending American military dominance across Latin America.

"They are murdering defenseless people, whether or not they are drug traffickers, executing them without due process," his defense minister emphasized.

Human rights specialists concurred the strikes constitute extrajudicial executions, regardless of whether victims are confirmed traffickers.

U.S. President Donald Trump labeled Maduro a drug kingpin earlier this month, declaring his time in power limited. Trump's administration additionally sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro on October 24 as diplomatic relations crumbled. The U.S. Department of the Treasury charged Petro with enabling drug cartels to "flourish."

Petro fired back, condemning the United States for weaponizing counter-narcotics operations as cover for military intervention aimed at seizing Caribbean petroleum resources.

Countries throughout the region and globally have expressed mounting anxiety over escalating tensions. The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and European Union conducted their fourth joint summit November 9-10 in Santa Marta, Colombia, releasing a unified statement rejecting military coercion in favor of peaceful resolution.

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