"In support of the President [Trump]’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland, the Secretary of War [Pete Hegseth] has directed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and embarked carrier air wing to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility," Parnell said in a statement.
According to Parnell, the strike group will "bolster US capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland."
The announcement comes just one day after US President Donald Trump said that the United States is preparing for a ground operation against drug cartels in Venezuela.