US announces 'Operation Southern Spear' against hemisphere narcotics

The United States has declared a new counter-narcotics and security initiative named "Operation Southern Spear," targeting criminal organizations labeled as narco-terrorists within the Western Hemisphere. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the mission, framing it as a direct response to threats against American homeland security.

A Mission to 'Defend our Homeland'

In a statement on social media platform X, Secretary Hegseth declared, "President Trump ordered action — and the Department of War is delivering." He elaborated that the operation's objectives are to defend the US homeland, remove narco-terrorist elements from the hemisphere, and combat the flow of illegal drugs. Hegseth described the Western Hemisphere as "America’s neighborhood" and affirmed a commitment to protecting it.

Unclear Relation to Preceding Operation

This announcement creates some ambiguity, as a previous initiative under the same "Operation Southern Spear" title was unveiled in January, focusing on autonomous systems for maritime counternarcotics. It is currently unclear whether the newly announced mission is an expansion of the existing program or a completely new endeavor. The White House deferred questions to the Pentagon, which has not provided further details.

Broader Regional Military Context

The revelation follows reports from CBS News that President Trump was recently presented with various military options concerning Venezuela, including potential land strikes, during a high-level meeting. The briefing involved senior officials, including Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, indicating a period of heightened military assessment and potential activity in the region.