The U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparked global attention Thursday with the announcement of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, a new military campaign targeting 'narco-terrorists' in Latin America. The move comes amid rising tensions over increased U.S. naval activity near Venezuela's coast and fears of potential land strikes.
What We Know So Far
Hegseth declared on X that the mission aims to 'defend our Homeland' and combat drug trafficking, but offered no specifics on tactics or timelines. This follows months of U.S. anti-drug operations in the Caribbean and Pacific, including strikes on 20 vessels since September 2025 that reportedly killed 76 people.
Venezuela Fires Back
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the operation as a 'pretext' akin to the 2003 Iraq War justification, deploying troops nationwide to counter U.S. forces. An American aircraft carrier’s arrival in the region last week escalated tensions further.
Why It Matters
With CBS News reporting updated strike options against Venezuela and Maduro pleading 'Not war, just peace' in English broadcasts, this could become 2025’s most volatile geopolitical flashpoint. Young travelers and professionals across Latin America are advised to monitor developments closely.
