USA launches Operation Southern Spear”: war against narco-terrorists!

USA launches Operation Southern Spear”: war against narco-terrorists!

On November 14, 2025, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced “Operation Southern Spear”. This military operation aims to combat “narco-terrorists” in the Western Hemisphere. Hegseth explained that the operation is aimed at defending the homeland and protecting the population from drugs. Management was assigned to a special task force and the US Military Command South (Southcom), which is responsible for military operations in 31 countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean.

The Pentagon confirmed that the US military has attacked numerous boats in the Caribbean and Pacific in recent weeks that were allegedly transporting drugs. Dozens of people were killed in these attacks. In the latest reports alone, 20 attacks were counted, in which a total of 79 people died. On Monday, the day of the announcement, there was another attack that left four people dead. These repeated military actions are a thorn in the side of international critics because the US government has given no legal basis for its actions.

International reactions and geopolitical tensions

The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, to the Caribbean has sparked concern in Colombia and Brazil. These countries see the move as a threatening gesture. The US government also alleged that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was involved in drug smuggling, further increasing tensions between the two nations.

President Donald Trump has also authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela, which Maduro sees as part of American warfare. Maduro calls the military killings illegal “executions” and suspects the U.S. is aiming to topple him. In a recent statement, Trump denied military attacks on Venezuela but suggested that Maduro's days were numbered.

This situation is being closely monitored by various international organizations, whose representatives are questioning the legal and humanitarian consequences of the US military presence in the region. As the United States attempts to take a decisive stance in the fight against drug-related crime, it remains to be seen what long-term political and social impact this may have on the countries affected.

As the discussion about the current military actions shows, the complex dynamic between the USA and the South American countries remains tense and multi-layered.

For further information on the military presence and its legal challenges, please refer to the reporting by vienna.at and tagesschau.de.