Hegseth’s order comes as the Trump administration has been striking alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea.

The deployment comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a 10th strike against a suspected drug smuggling vessel.

The Pentagon has ordered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its air wing to Latin America as part of a large build-up of military forces in the southern Caribbean Sea.

Hegseth said Friday that the U.S. struck a boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea, marking at least the third time this week that the U.S. has attacked a vessel it says was involved in drug trafficking.

The Pentagon is sending the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, and its carrier air wing to the Caribbean as the Trump administration conducts strikes against boats it says are smuggling illegal drugs in the region.

The Pentagon was reportedly unable to assess the precise identities of the people on the boat before striking.