WASHINGTON — The U.S. military will send an aircraft carrier to the waters off South America, the Pentagon announced Friday, in the latest escalation of military firepower in a region where the Trump administration has unleashed more rapid strikes in recent days against boats it claims carry drugs.
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier refuels Oct. 11, 2023, from the underway replenishment oiler USNS Laramie in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.Â
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The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier leaves Naval Station Norfolk on June 23 in Norfolk, Va.Â
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks Thursday during a roundtable on criminal cartels with President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington.
A catapult officer walks past an F-18 Hornet on July 29Â on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford during military exercises in the Mediterranean off the coast of Naples, Italy.Â
President Donald Trump appears Thursday at a roundtable on criminal cartels in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington.Â
White House East Wing demolished as Trump moves forward with ballroom construction, photos show
This satellite image shows the White House in Washington on Sept. 26, 2025, with the East Wing intact before demolition began.
This satellite image shows the East Wing mostly demolished Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds up a historic photo showing construction of the East Terrace of the White House in 1902 as she speaks about planned construction of a new ballroom following the demolition of the White House East Wing, during a news briefing Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at the White House in Washington.
Work continues Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, on demolition of part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
People watch from outside a security fence Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, as demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Demolition work is seen Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, on the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Demolition continues Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, on the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the planned White House ballroom Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
President Donald Trump holds another rendering of the planned White House ballroom Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in the Oval Office.
A model of the White House and the new ballroom, right, is seen on a table Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, as President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the interior of the new White House ballroom Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
Demolition continues Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, on the East Wing of the White House in Washington, before construction of the ballroom.
Water is sprayed on debris to help with dust control Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, amid demolition work on the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Demolition of the East Wing of the White House continues Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom.
Construction crews demolish the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington.
Construction crews demolish the East Wing of the White House on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington.
Construction workers atop the U.S. Treasury, bottom right, watch Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Construction workers atop the U.S. Treasury, bottom left, watch as work continues Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
Work continues Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
A worker walks through debris Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington.
