Joint Task Force Southern Spear

Joint Task Force Southern Spear is the entity responsible for executing Operation Southern Spear, a US military campaign targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean. The operation began in September 2025 and has been ongoing under the Trump administration. The task force is newsworthy due to the increasing number of casualties resulting from its boat strikes. Recent events include the 47th attack on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean, resulting in four deaths, and another strike in the Eastern Pacific that killed two people. These actions have brought the total death toll to approximately 163 since the operation's inception, raising human rights concerns. The Trump administration defends the strikes by claiming they target members of designated terrorist organizations. The task force's actions remain relevant due to the ongoing debate surrounding the legality and ethical implications of lethal force against suspected drug traffickers in international waters.