US announces new major military operation

United States’ Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday announced a new military initiative aimed at confronting what Washington describes as “narco-terrorists,” heightening speculation that the growing American naval presence in Latin American waters could foreshadow broader strikes and an expanded conflict.

“Today, I’m announcing Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR.

“This mission defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secures our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people,” Hegseth wrote on X.

He offered no additional explanation of the scope of the operation or how it differs from ongoing US military activities in the region.

The Trump administration has already been running a military campaign across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, deploying naval and air assets for what it describes as an anti-drug mission. Since early September, US forces have struck about 20 vessels in international waters, killing at least 76 people, according to American figures.

When pressed for details on the newly announced operation, a Pentagon spokesperson pointed reporters back to Hegseth’s social media post.

CBS News reported on Wednesday that senior military commanders had recently given President Donald Trump updated options for potential actions in Venezuela, including possible land strikes.

The tension escalated further on Tuesday as Venezuela declared a major nationwide military mobilisation in response to the expanding US naval presence off its shores. The buildup includes a US aircraft carrier strike group, F-35 stealth jets deployed to Puerto Rico, and six Navy ships positioned in the Caribbean.

Officials in Caracas fear the deployments amount to a covert regime-change effort.
AFP