Overview

• U.S. Southern Command announced a new Joint Task Force under II Marine Expeditionary Force to synchronize counter-narcotics efforts across the Western Hemisphere.
• The command says the unit will focus on maritime patrols, airborne ISR, precision interdictions and real-time intelligence fusion with U.S. agencies and partner nations.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the mission as crushing cartels and protecting the United States, while Adm. Alvin Holsey emphasized faster, deeper disruption of illicit networks.
• SOUTHCOM described a multinational, whole-of-government approach that includes advisory teams and combined operations to build partner capacity for counter-drug missions.
• The rollout follows reported U.S. strikes on suspected narco-boats since September and has prompted Venezuela to denounce the campaign at the UN, warning of further confrontations.