Laura Sullivan

The USS Gerald Ford will be joining some 15,000 soldiers and sailors already in the region.

A U.S.

military official told NPR the U.S.

is gearing up for possible military action, saying, quote, the table is being set.

High-level meetings with members of Congress and foreign leaders are continuing, along with ongoing military exercises.

It remains unclear, however, if President Trump will use military force against the country.

The U.S.

has conducted multiple strikes on boats in the region.

President Trump has also repeatedly called on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to resign.

Officials told NPR the arrival of the USS Gerald Ford could be just another pressure tactic on Maduro, who has put his own forces on high alert.

Laura Sullivan, NPR News.