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U.S. Unveils Operation Southern Spear as 20th Boat Strike Reported

The designation formalizes a months‑long maritime campaign, signaling escalation that has drawn allied pushback.

Image
President Donald Trump speaks during an event on foster care in the East Room of the at the White House, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
FILE - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gives a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Sept 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jesus Vargas, File)
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, in Quantico, Virginia, U.S., September 30, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Overview

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, led by U.S. Southern Command and a new Joint Task Force Southern Spear.
  • The Pentagon acknowledges about 20 strikes on suspected smuggling vessels since September, with the latest Caribbean strike killing four and an overall death toll near 80.
  • The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group has entered the region, lifting U.S. personnel in SOUTHCOM waters to roughly 15,000.
  • Senior military leaders briefed President Trump on options that include potential operations on Venezuelan soil, with no authorization announced.
  • Venezuela ordered nationwide military readiness, Colombia and the U.K. curtailed intelligence sharing, the U.N. rights chief urged a legality review, and a reported DOJ OLC opinion would shield U.S. troops from future prosecution.