U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR on November 13, 2025, framing it as a mission to "remove narco-terrorists" from the Western Hemisphere. The declaration comes amid heightened regional tensions as Venezuela mobilizes forces in response to a growing U.S. naval presence near its coastline.
Operation Details Remain Unclear
While Hegseth stated the operation aims to "secure our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people," Pentagon officials provided no specifics about tactical shifts from existing anti-drug campaigns. Since September 2025, U.S. forces have conducted strikes on 20 vessels in international waters, claiming 76 lives according to military reports.
Venezuela's Military Mobilization
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the U.S. actions as "an absurd pretext" reminiscent of the 2003 Iraq invasion, ordering nationwide military deployments to counter the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier group's arrival in the Caribbean. Maduro reiterated his October 2025 televised appeal to Americans: "Not war, just peace."
Regional Implications
Analysts suggest the operation could escalate into land-based engagements, with CBS News reporting on November 12 that the Trump administration reviewed potential strike options in Venezuela. Regional governments have yet to issue unified responses, though security experts warn of destabilization risks across Latin America's northern tier.
