The United States has launched Operation Southern Spear, a new military campaign targeting what it calls “narco-terrorists” across the Western Hemisphere, deepening tensions with Venezuela.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the operation in a post on X Thursday evening, saying the mission aims to defend the American homeland, dismantle drug-linked militant networks, and curb narcotics flowing into the US.
The operation will be led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear in coordination with US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
“Today, I’m announcing Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR,” Hegseth wrote.
“Led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and SOUTHCOM, this mission defends our homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our hemisphere, and secures our homeland from the drugs that are killing our people.
The Western Hemisphere is America’s neighbourhood and we will protect it.”
Hegseth, however, did not clarify whether the operation would escalate existing US strikes on alleged cartel vessels in the Caribbean Sea.
The omission has fueled speculation about whether Washington is preparing broader military action similar to past US interventions framed around narcotics or terrorism.
Since September, US forces have destroyed at least 20 alleged cartel boats in international waters, killing about 80 people.
Officials claim the vessels were linked to drug-smuggling networks, though human rights groups have questioned the lack of transparency in the strikes.
US Southern Command has already briefed President Donald Trump on potential military targets inside Venezuela, though it remains unclear if he will authorize further action.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has repeatedly denied involvement in drug trafficking and warned the US against igniting a “crazy war.”
Relations between both countries have deteriorated sharply in recent months, with Washington imposing sweeping sanctions on Caracas and placing a $50 million bounty on Maduro.
The US has also deployed a naval armada, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, to the region. Maduro has accused Trump of using drug-cartel allegations as a pretext to topple his government.