US defense chief announces mission to remove 'narco-terrorists from our hemisphere'

WASHINGTON

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday that the US would embark on a new mission dubbed "Operation Southern Spear" to remove "narco-terrorists from our hemisphere."

"President (Donald) Trump ordered action — and the Department of War is delivering," Hegseth said on the US social media company X’s platform.

"Led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and @SOUTHCOM, this mission 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," he added.

The Trump administration had announced another mission named "Operation Southern Spear" focused on autonomous and robotic systems in January. That mission was slated to focus on maritime counternarcotics operations.

It is unclear if Hegseth's announcement is an expansion of that program or an entirely new mission. The White House referred a question seeking clarity on the matter to the Pentagon.

The Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment.

CBS News reported that Trump was presented with options for military operations in Venezuela, including land strikes, by his senior military officials during a Wednesday meeting at the White House. Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine and other senior officials "briefed the president on military options for the coming days," the report said.