U.S. Sends Ford Carrier Group to Caribbean as Fight Against Drug Cartels is Heightened

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: U.S. Sends Ford Carrier Group to Caribbean as Fight Against Drug Cartels is Heightened
Date: October 24, 2025
Host: Lisa Licera (with reports from Jennifer Griffin, Jared Halpern, Tanya J. Powers, Matt Murphy)

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Episode Overview

This episode covers significant shifts in U.S. military policy as the Pentagon dispatches the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group to the Caribbean to counter drug cartels, marking a notable shift away from the Middle East. The update also touches on deteriorating U.S.-Colombian relations, a federal case involving New York's Attorney General, support for Planned Parenthood in California, innovations in autonomous vehicle technology, and an unusual car theft case in New York.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

U.S. Military Escalation in the Caribbean

• Deployment of Aircraft Carrier Group

  • The Pentagon is sending the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to South America to support anti-drug operations.
    • “The Ford strike group right now is currently in the Mediterranean and will take at least two weeks to get there. This is the first time that the US Military will not have a carrier in the Middle East.”
      — Jennifer Griffin, [00:12]

• Potential Strikes on Land & Congressional Notification

  • President Trump states any strikes on land will be preceded by congressional briefings.
  • Recent Military Strike:
    • “Earlier today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the military had conducted a 10th strike against a suspected drug boat, killing six people.”
      — Lisa Licera, [00:33]

• Sanctions Against Colombia

  • The U.S. sanctions Colombia's president and his family as part of escalated pressure.

U.S.–Colombia Relations Strain

• Worsening Diplomatic Tensions

  • The Trump administration has accused Colombian President Petro of cartel ties.

    • “President Trump says Petro has ties to drug cartels, warning he better watch it or we’ll take serious action.”
      — Jared Halpern, [00:53]

  • President Petro, the first leftist leader in Colombia in decades, has openly criticized the U.S.'s increased military presence and strikes.

    • He also refused U.S. flights of deported migrants, resulting in tariff threats.

Domestic Policy Updates

• Air Traffic Control Disruptions Amid Shutdown

  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responds to public safety concerns as air traffic controllers face unpaid work due to a government shutdown.
    • “There will be a question about is the system safe now? To say yes, it is safe.”
      — Sean Duffy, [01:28]
  • Duffy acknowledges delays and cancellations due to staffing shortages.

• Record-Setting Day on Wall Street

  • The Dow closed above 47,000 for the first time; Nasdaq and S&P also saw significant gains.

Legal & Political News

• New York Attorney General Pleads Not Guilty in Federal Fraud Case
  • Letitia James pleads not guilty to bank fraud in Virginia, claims case is politically motivated.
    • “The Justice Department is being used as a tool of revenge.”
      — Letitia James, [02:44]
    • Notable: James is accused of lying on mortgage applications. The prosecutor overseeing the case was removed by the Trump administration before indictment.

Healthcare & Technology

• California Bails Out Planned Parenthood

  • Governor Gavin Newsom allocates $140 million to keep 109 clinics open after federal defunding.

• GM Announces ‘Eyes Off’ Driving Technology

  • General Motors unveils plans for driverless technology in the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ, with highways as the rollout focus.
    • “GM says it’s already mapped out more than 600,000 miles of road...”
      — Matt Murphy, [03:32]
  • Features include AI conversation and backup power for homes.

Crime

• Massive Car Theft Scheme in Syracuse, NY
  • An Avis employee allegedly stole and rented out 47 vehicles worth $1 million; arrests ongoing.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jennifer Griffin, on strategic shift:
  “This is the first time that the US Military will not have a carrier in the Middle East.” [00:24]

• Lisa Licera, on military action:
  “The military had conducted a 10th strike against a suspected drug boat, killing six people.” [00:33]

• Jared Halpern, on U.S.-Colombia relations:
  “President Trump says Petro has ties to drug cartels, warning he better watch it or we’ll take serious action.” [00:53]

• Letitia James, defending her position:
  “I will do my job each and every day, and that’s why I’m headed back to New York, because there’s work to be done. Standing up for the rule of law.” [02:44]

• Sean Duffy, ensuring travel safety:
  “There will be a question about is the system safe now? To say yes, it is safe.” [01:28]

• Matt Murphy, on car AI:
  “GM just announced it’s working on new eyes off driving technology, meaning drivers could actually look away while their car’s intelligence takes the wheel.” [03:32]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Pentagon Announcement and Military Moves: [00:02 – 00:33]
• U.S. and Colombia Tensions: [00:53 – 01:19]
• Government Shutdown Travel Concerns: [01:19 – 01:33]
• Stock Market Records: [01:33 – 02:03]
• Federal Case – Letitia James: [02:29 – 02:54]
• California Planned Parenthood Funding: [03:12 – 03:32]
• GM Driverless Technology: [03:32 – 04:08]
• Car Theft in Syracuse: [04:08 – 04:28]

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This summary captures the most significant news updates and discussions from this Fox News Hourly Update, providing listeners with context, direct quotations, and key moments from the broadcast.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

An escalation in the US Military position in the Caribbean. I'm Lisa Licera, Fox News. The Pentagon says an aircraft carrier strike group is heading to the waters off South America.

[Jennifer Griffin]

The Pentagon announced that it is sending the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the Southern Command region to help with counternarcotics efforts. The Ford strike group right now is currently in the Mediterranean and will take at least two weeks to get there. This is the first time that the US Military will not have a carrier in the Middle East.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Jennifer Griffin. President Trump said yesterday if the U.S. begins striking targets on land, Congress would be briefed on them. Earlier today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the military had conducted a 10th strike against a suspected drug boat, killing six people. This as the US sanctions the President of Colombia and his wife and son.

[Jared Halpern]

Relations between the US And Colombia have deteriorated over the past several months. President Trump says Petro has ties to drug cartels, warning he better watch it or we'll take serious action. Petro, the first leftist leader of Colombia in decades, has criticized U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats in Latin America and earlier this year refused to accept US Flights of deported migrants, triggering tariff threats by the Trump administration.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffe trying to reassure travelers as air traffic controllers are not being paid during government shutdowns.

[Sean Duffy]

There will be a question about is the system safe now? To say yes, it is safe.

[Lisa Licera]

But Duffy admits there are delays and cancellations due to lack of staffing. And he says when there are staffing issues, there will be fewer planes taking off and landing and there will be cancellations. Wall Street. All three indexes hit records. The Dow added 472, closing above 47,000 for the first time. The Nasdaq up 263. The S&P adds 53. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Lisa Licera]

New York's Attorney General has entered a plea in her federal bank fraud case in Virginia.

[Tanya J. Powers]

Moments after pleading not guilty to federal charges, New York Attorney General Letitia James told supporters outside the courthouse that the Justice Department is being used as a tool of revenge.

[Letitia James]

I will do my job each and every day, and that's why I'm headed back to New York, because there's work to be done. Standing up for the rule of law.

[Tanya J. Powers]

James is accused of lying on mortgage papers to secure favorable loan terms on a Virginia home. She was indicted after the top federal prosecutor who had been overseeing the investigation was pushed out by the Trump administration and the president publicly called on the Justice Department to take action against James. In New York, Tanya J.

[Lisa Licera]

Powers, FOX News Planned Parenthood in California gets a lifeline from the state governor Gavin Newsom announcing $140 million will be used to keep 109 Planned Parenthood clinics open after federal funding for it was cut in July. We've always been told to keep our eyes on the road while driving, but General Motors says soon we may not have to.

[Matt Murphy]

GM just announced it's working on new eyes off driving technology, meaning drivers could actually look away while their car's intelligence takes the wheel. The feature is expected to debut in the all electric Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028 and will initially work only on highways. GM says it's already mapped out more than 600,000 miles of road across North America for safe hands free driving. They're also adding conversational AI so your car can respond to questions, and a backup power feature, which means the vehicle battery can actually power your home during an outage.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Matt Murphy a manhunt in Syracuse, New York, after police say an employee at an Avis budget rental car site stole 47 vehicles worth about a million dollars and rented them out across the region. Several others have been arrested in connection with the case. I'm Lisa Licera. This is FO.

[Will Tame]

Will Tame Country. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday@fox news.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.