Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made a definitive statement on Thursday regarding U.S. military efforts near Venezuela. He emphasized the importance of proactive measures in defense strategy, declaring, “The best defense is offense.” Hegseth announced the initiation of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, which aims to protect the homeland by targeting narco-terrorist groups operating in the region.
In a direct post on X, he explained, “President Trump ordered action — and the Department of War is delivering.” This operation, led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear alongside @SOUTHCOM, is positioned to dismantle the cartels that threaten American lives through drug trafficking. The urgency of the mission speaks to the broader goal of securing the Western Hemisphere. Hegseth asserted, “The Western Hemisphere is America’s neighborhood — and we will protect it.”
Current military presence in the region includes around 15,000 U.S. troops, bolstered by the recent arrival of the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group. This buildup aims to counteract increasing drug trafficking activities and follows weeks of operations targeting cartel-operated boats. The military is prepared to escalate its efforts further as President Trump received military options that could intensify the pressure on Venezuela.
As the situation unfolds, the Venezuelan military’s reliance on outdated Soviet-era equipment is a significant factor. Defense analyst Andrei Serbin Pont noted the country’s “rather low level of operational capability,” exacerbated by a prolonged economic crisis. This presents a picture of a weakened adversary, yet one whose connections to organized crime remain deeply intertwined with its leadership.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham weighed in, emphasizing President Trump’s commitment to addressing the narcoterrorism emanating from Venezuela. He stated, “To those who wonder about what’s going on in Venezuela, you should understand President Trump is deadly serious about stopping the narcoterrorist state of Venezuela from continuing to poison Americans with illegal drugs.” Graham expressed strong agreement with Trump’s view that Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate leader, calling him a “drug trafficker” indicted in U.S. courts.
Graham drew parallels to past U.S. military actions, recalling how Bush 41 dealt with Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega under similar circumstances. He underscored the need to confront the “drug caliphate” that he perceives as encompassing Venezuela, Colombia, and Cuba. Graham’s advocacy highlights a broader narrative that connects national security with domestic drug issues, framing the military action as a necessary and righteous response.
Further supporting these claims, Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the significant military presence in the area is explicitly aimed at combating “organized criminal narco-terrorists.” His statement underscores the strategic rationale behind the deployment, affirming, “That’s what he’s authorized. That’s what the military’s doing. That’s why our assets are there.”
This military buildup and the launch of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR represent a decisive step in U.S. foreign policy, highlighting the administration’s determination to confront threats posed by drug cartels and their ties to Venezuelan leadership. As military and political narratives intertwine, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and security of American citizens while addressing the turmoil in a neighboring country. The drive to act decisively echoes the administration’s broader strategy of preemptive engagement to secure both national interests and public health.
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