Historical Context
Operation Southern Spear is framed as a modern application of two foundational U.S. doctrines governing threats in the Western Hemisphere. The Monroe Doctrine, announced by President James Monroe in 1823, warned European powers against further colonization or intervention in the Americas, declaring the hemisphere closed to outside interference and effectively establishing U.S. primacy. President Theodore Roosevelt later expanded this in his 1904 Roosevelt Corollary, asserting that chronic wrongdoing or instability in Latin America and the Caribbean could require U.S. intervention to maintain order and prevent European involvement—positioning the United States as an “international police power” in the region. These principles have historically justified U.S. actions against perceived dangers close to its borders.
Operation Southern Spear is a U.S. military campaign launched in 2025 under President Trump to combat narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere. Initially focused on maritime surveillance using hybrid manned-unmanned fleets, it expanded into broader counter-drug operations led by U.S. Southern Command.
Objectives
The mission aims to detect, disrupt, and degrade transnational criminal networks, particularly those linked to Venezuelan drug trafficking and the “Cartel of the Suns,” designated a terrorist organization.
Key Escalations
From September 2025, U.S. forces conducted over 30 kinetic strikes on suspected smuggling vessels, killing more than 110 individuals. Operations intensified with troop buildups, including carriers and Marines.
Recent Developments
On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a large-scale strike on Caracas. As of January 9, ongoing interdictions include seizures of sanctioned oil tankers in the Caribbean.
Status
The operation remains active, emphasizing homeland defense through joint interagency efforts. (148 words)