US launches Operation Southern Spear, deploying robotic fleet to target cartels
Announcement comes amid a growing US military build-up in the Southern Caribbean of a size not seen in the region for decades
The United States is launching a major new military and surveillance campaign in the Western Hemisphere, deploying an unprecedented mix of robotic air and sea vessels to counter Latin American drug-trafficking cartels.
Called Operation Southern Spear, the initiative was formally announced on Thursday night by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said through his X account that the mission followed a direct order from US President Donald Trump.
“President Trump ordered action - and the Department of War is delivering,” Hegseth said. “Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secures our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people. The Western Hemisphere is America’s neighborhood - and we will protect it.”
The campaign would be led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear in coordination with US Southern Command and US Naval Forces Southern Command/US 4th Fleet, headquartered at Naval Station Mayport in Florida. Operations were expected to begin later this month.
In a statement, 4th Fleet officials described Southern Spear as a significant step in the US Navy’s evolving Hybrid Fleet Campaign, which integrates robotic and autonomous systems with traditional naval forces.