US Launches Operation Southern Spear Against 'Narco-Terrorists'

US Launches Operation Southern Spear Against 'Narco-Terrorists'
Above: Pete Hegseth before the 57th Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 4, 2025. Image copyright: Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool/Getty Images

The Spin

Republican narrative

Operation Southern Spear protects America's homeland by eliminating narco-terrorists who flood the country with deadly drugs. The Western Hemisphere is America's neighborhood, and decisive military action against criminal organizations reflects proper defense of national security under legitimate war powers.

Democratic narrative

Trump reels from the Epstein files and, within a day, Pete Hegseth unveils "Operation Southern Spear," complete with carriers, Marines and macho rhetoric. It feels less like military strategy and more like a convenient diversion — an attention-grabbing show wrapped in a Pentagon-branded package.

Establishment-critical narrative

Operation Southern Spear's true aim isn't security but quiet preparation for another foreign-backed upheaval — an intervention that could open the door to stripping the country of its resources. This military operation signifies dangerous military overreach that escalates tensions across Latin America under the guise of fighting drugs.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 40% chance that the U.S. will attack Venezuela before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


Public Figures


The Controversies



Political split

LEFT

RIGHT



© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.0

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.17.0