The tension between the United States and its fight against drug trafficking adds a new episode since, through his social networks, the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, made official the launch of Operation Southern Spear, offensive to be executed by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and Southern Command, Southcom.
This mission, as the official explained, responds to a direct order from North American President Donald Trump, which marks a new chapter in Washington’s military strategy. against drug trafficking and the so-called “narcoterrorists” in the region.
Through his X account, Hegseth noted that the central purpose of the operation is to defend the United States, expel criminal groups from the hemisphere and stop the flow of drugs that they claim is claiming thousands of lives in the United States.
“President Trump ordered action, and the War Department is complying. Today I announce Operation Southern Lance,” he wrote on social media. “This mission defends our homeland, expels narcoterrorists from our hemisphere and protects our people“he added.
This announcement comes amid a growing environment of uncertainty between the United States and Venezuela. The Trump administration has been expanding its military deployment in the Caribbean and the Pacific for weeks under the argument of fighting drug cartels.
Although the government of Nicolás Maduro has repeatedly denounced that this offensive would, in reality, be a maneuver to pressure him and remove him from power, They have also assured that they will make decisions regarding the military conflict with the United States.
It should be noted that since September, the North American country has already left a trail of destroyed vessels and a growing number of deaths. Washington has reported that several boats allegedly dedicated to transporting drugs have been neutralized in international waters, resulting in the death of more than 70 people.
