The U.S. military's Operation Southern Spear aims to combat drug trafficking from Latin America through airstrikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Since its commencement in early September, the operation has led to the deployment of tens of thousands of troops and a significant presence of air and naval assets, marked by the arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier.
Trump's administration justifies these strikes as necessary counter-drug measures while concerns about potential violations of international law arise. Critics question whether the targeting of alleged narco-terrorists safeguards due process and if the campaign might escalate into direct conflict with Venezuela, especially amidst Maduro's retaliatory position warning against U.S. aggression.
As the strikes continue, they have resulted in significant casualties—estimated at 83 deaths among alleged traffickers—prompting legal scrutiny over their legitimacy. The strikes, justified as self-defense against drug cartels, stand contested, raising alarms over civilian safety and the broader implications for U.S. relations with Latin America.
