The United States has launched a military operation named “Southern Spear” in the Caribbean, targeting drug traffickers. The operation could potentially involve action against Venezuela. US officials said the mission aims to protect Americans from illegal drugs and curb organized crime in the Western Hemisphere.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the operation on social media, saying it is led by the US Southern Command. The mission focuses on eliminating drug smuggling networks and safeguarding US citizens from harmful narcotics. The operation also strengthens regional security, with the joint task force coordinating efforts across Central and South America.
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Recently, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford was deployed to the Caribbean and Latin American waters, increasing the US naval presence. Several US warships are now stationed in the region. Military options against Venezuela have been proposed to President Donald Trump, but no final decision has been made.
The US emphasized that the operation targets international criminal organizations, not countries. Officials said previous anti-drug campaigns in the Caribbean and Pacific included 21 strikes, killing over 80 individuals, though evidence supporting these claims remains limited.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the operation, calling it an unjust war and an attempt to remove him from power. He described the US military presence as the greatest threat to the continent in the past century. The Southern Spear operation reflects rising US military involvement in the Caribbean amid anti-drug and geopolitical tensions.