Operation Southern Spear

Operation Southern Spear is a US military campaign initiated under President Trump targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels and enforcing sanctions against Venezuela. The operation, overseen by US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), has been ongoing since at least September 2025. It is newsworthy due to recent escalations, including the killing of at least 11 people in three separate strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Additionally, the US military recently seized the Veronica, an oil tanker sailing under a Guyanese flag, for violating sanctions against Venezuela. President Trump has justified the operation by linking Venezuela to drug overdose deaths, criminal migrants, and oil theft, claims that are being fact-checked. The operation's relevance lies in its impact on international relations, particularly with Venezuela, and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of lethal force and maritime seizures.