On November 13, 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced via X a new military operation, Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, aimed at "removing narco-terrorists" from the hemisphere and securing the homeland from drug threats. The announcement offered few details on the scope, raising questions about the mission's reach and rules of engagement.
This operation builds on an anti-drugs campaign launched this year by the Trump administration in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Since early September, U.S. forces have struck about 20 vessels in international waters, resulting in at least 76 fatalities, according to U.S. figures.
Requests for clarification from the Pentagon were redirected to Hegseth's original post, while CBS News reported that senior military officials had presented President Trump with updated options, including possible land strikes in Venezuela. In response, Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro ordered a nationwide military deployment to counter the growing U.S. naval presence, calling the operation an "absurd pretext" reminiscent of the 2003 Iraq invasion.
As Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR unfolds, experts and local communities are watching closely. Regional stability, migration flows, and the balance of power in Latin America hang in the balance. For young global citizens and entrepreneurs tracking emerging security and economic trends, the mission's impact could ripple across markets and societies in the coming months.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
