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

In separate Sunday TV appearances, both Democratic senators from Arizona said the White House attacks lack legality.

The strike, the 10th by the U.S. military since the campaign started in early September, took place in international waters and was the first attack that was conducted at night.

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

A U.S. strike against an alleged drug vessel killed six suspected "narco-terrorists" in the Caribbean, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday, the latest operation in President Donald Trump's counter-drug campaign in the region.

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.

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

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 USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike group has been deployed to the Caribbean to strengthen US military presence. This move intensifies pressure on Venezuela and targets drug trafficking networks in the region.