Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a social media post Thursday that the U.S. military’s expanding anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean will now be known as “Operation Southern Spear.”
The designation underscores the growing scale and long-term nature of the mission, which began this summer as part of the Trump administration’s effort to target narcoterrorism in the region. U.S. forces have carried out at least 17 strikes on vessels in South American waters, killing at least 69 people, officials have said.
The operation will include nearly a dozen Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines positioned in the area following the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.
Hegseth wrote on X, “President Trump ordered action — and the Department of War is delivering. Today, I’m announcing Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR. Led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and U.S. Southern Command, 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 neighborhood – and we will protect it.”
Newsweek has reached out to the Pentagon on Thursday night via email.
Hegseth’s announcement comes after President Trump on Wednesday received updated military options for potential operations in Venezuela, including possible land strikes, according to CBS News. Senior defense leaders, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, briefed the president on scenarios for the coming days.
No final decision has been made on land strikes, CBS News reported. When reached via email earlier on Thursday, the Pentagon referred Newsweek to the White House for comment. Newsweek has reached out to the White House via email.
U.S. officials have long accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government of cooperating with drug-trafficking groups and corrupt security forces, allegations Maduro denies and dismisses as a pretext for Washington to weaken his regime. The stepped-up U.S. presence has heightened tensions across the region.
Updates: 11/13/25, 6:16 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
