Overview

• U.S. Southern Command announced a new Joint Task Force led by the II Marine Expeditionary Force to synchronize antinarcotics operations across the Western Hemisphere.
• Officials describe a primarily maritime effort that employs patrols, airborne ISR, precision interdictions, and fused intelligence among the U.S. military, federal agencies, and partner nations.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the task force was established by order of the President to crush cartels and stop drugs from reaching U.S. shores, following the President’s declaration of an armed conflict against cartels.
• SOUTHCOM commander Adm. Alvin Holsey said the structure is designed to detect and dismantle illicit networks more quickly, including through advisory teams that build partner capacity for counternarcotics operations.
• The announcement follows reports of at least four U.S. strikes on suspected narco-boats since September, and Venezuela has protested at the U.N. Security Council and denounced the campaign.