The U.S. Department of Defense announced the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean as part of a large-scale operation against drug trafficking, heightening tensions with Venezuela.

The Pentagon said the mission aims to “detect and disrupt illicit activities,” as part of an ongoing operation launched in September.

The carrier is accompanied by destroyers and cruisers with about 5,000 personnel aboard.

Venezuela condemned the move as a “military provocation” and responded with coastal defense drills.