The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford in Caribbean waters has started what one defense expert calls a strategic “shot clock,” forcing the Trump administration to decide whether to act militarily against Venezuela or retreat—each with profound geopolitical consequences. The Ford strike group, including three guided-missile destroyers, entered the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility on Tuesday, expanding the U.S. military footprint to roughly 15,000 troops across a dozen warships in the