The US military has reportedly presented updated operational options regarding Venezuela to President Trump, while simultaneously announcing a new military operation dubbed “Southern Spear” focused on combating drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.
According to sources, the options presented to the President included potential ground incursions. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other officials briefed Trump on the military options available in the coming days. However, sources emphasized that a final decision regarding potential operations in Venezuela has not yet been made.
Secretary Hegseth announced operation “Southern Spear” stating it will target “narco-terrorists” in the Western Hemisphere. In a post on X, Hegseth stated, “Today: Announcing Operation Southern Spear, a Joint Task Force-Southern Spear & US SouthCom operation. This mission aims to protect our homeland, eliminate narco-terrorists from the Western Hemisphere, and secure our nation from the drugs that are killing our people.”
The Washington Post reports that the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel has issued a secret opinion stating that soldiers participating in military strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean will not be subject to future legal prosecution. The opinion reportedly asserts that the United States is engaged in a non-international armed conflict, permitting the strikes under the President’s authorities under Article Two of the Constitution.
A War Department official stated that the US carried out its twentieth strike this week on boats suspected of being used for drug smuggling. “The strike occurred in the Caribbean region and killed four terrorists involved in the drug trade. There were no survivors,” the official said.
The official added that 79 people have been killed, two injured and returned to their home countries, while Mexican authorities carried out one rescue attempt at sea following these raids. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region and increased scrutiny of US involvement in combating drug trafficking.
