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The United States military is pressing forward with "Operation Southern Spear," a high-stakes campaign targeting alleged drug trafficking networks in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. Southern Command recently confirmed another strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, adding to a series of attacks that began in September. The Trump administration asserts the operation is aimed at dismantling so-called "narco-terrorist" organizations, including a Venezuelan gang designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Formally announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in mid-November, the operation represents a significant U.S. military deployment in the region. The mission has seen the U.S. amass its largest naval presence in the Caribbean since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, with the force being bolstered by the arrival of the advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. This naval power is augmented by a hybrid fleet that integrates robotic and autonomous systems, such as unmanned drones and surface vessels, to detect and monitor illicit activities. Since its inception, the campaign has resulted in approximately 20 strikes, with a death toll reported by various news outlets to be over 70 individuals.
The administration has escalated its campaign against drug cartels, stating it is in an "armed conflict" with these groups. However, the lethal strikes have drawn sharp criticism and raised legal questions. Lawmakers from both parties have voiced concerns about the legal justification for using military force without explicit congressional authorization, while the Pentagon has provided limited public information about the specific targets or their affiliations.
Many analysts and foreign officials believe the military buildup is also intended to exert pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom the U.S. does not recognize as the country's legitimate leader. The operation has strained diplomatic ties, with Colombia's president accusing the U.S. of killing a Colombian fisherman in one strike. According to some reports, key allies, including the United Kingdom, have paused intelligence sharing on suspected drug vessels due to the lethal nature of the operations. The full timeline of the strikes shows a consistent pattern of engagement, signaling a lasting and controversial shift in U.S. counter-narcotics strategy.
