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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday the launch of Operation Southern Spear, a new mission targeting narcoterrorist networks in Latin America.
Hegseth said on
“This mission defends our Homeland, expels narco-terrorists from our hemisphere, and protects our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people,” Hegseth said.
The United States carried out its 20th strike against suspected drug sniffing vessels earlier this week, according to a Pentagon official.
US CARRIES OUT MORE 'LETALLY' ATTACKS AGAINST SUSPECTED DRUG SHIPS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS, SECRETARY HEGSETH SAYS
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth presents Operation Southern Spear to dismantle narcoterrorist networks in Latin America. (Photo by Jeon Heon-Kyun – Pool/Getty Images)
US forces carried out the latest attack in the Caribbean, killing four suspected narco-terrorists.
The Navy announced in January that it would lead Operation Southern Lance under the Fourth Fleet and U.S. Southern Command using “long-endurance robotic surface ships, small robotic interceptor ships, and robotic vertical take-off and landing aerial vessels.”
US DEPLOYS FORD CARRIER STRIKE GROUP TO FIGHT NARCOTERROR IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Navy deploys USS Gerald R. Ford and robotic ships for anti-drug mission in Latin America. (Photo by JONATHAN KLEIN/AFP via Getty Image)
The United States will use warships in the region, including the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford.
CBS News reported that President Trump was briefed on possible options for operations in Venezuela, including possible ground attacks, but no final decisions have been made.
Top Democrats expressed support for anti-drug attacks near Venezuela earlier this month.
TOP DEMOCRAT BACKS U.S. INTELLIGENCE ON DRUG TRAFFICKING ATTACKS, OFFENSES OFFERED FOR 'NOT GOING FAR ENOUGH' IN MADURO
Operation Southern Spear aims to defend the homeland and cut off drug routes to the United States. (Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Frankly, I think the Biden administration did not go far enough after the Venezuelan people voted overwhelmingly to get rid of Maduro,” said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
“The Western Hemisphere is America's neighbor and we will protect it,” Hegseth said.
