Who is Operation Southern Spear?
In short
Operation Southern Spear is an ongoing United States military and surveillance campaign launched in 2025 by the administration of President Donald Trump. It aims to detect and disrupt transnational criminal and maritime networks involved in drug trafficking.
Who they are now
The operation functions as a hybrid military campaign combining counter-narcotics efforts with counter-terrorism tactics. It involves the deployment of US military forces, including naval assets, to the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific.
Why they are in the news
People are searching for the operation following recent reports of high-profile strikes, including a mission in the Eastern Pacific that killed five individuals on a narco-trafficking vessel.
An example of their work
In October 2026, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere conducted a strike against a go-fast vessel in the eastern Pacific. This action contributed to a campaign death toll exceeding 230 individuals.
Easy to mix up
Operation Southern Surge