A post on x.com by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday afternoon, “announcing” Operation Southern Spear targeting drug smugglers, was treated as “breaking news” online (see below):
Hegseth’s “announcement” of the anti-drug operation quickly led to headlines on major news sites around the world:
However, there’s a small problem with all of these reports. Namely, that “Operation Southern Spear” is nothing new. The US Navy first “announced” it in a News Release issued back in January:
Despite the wonkish subtitle, the news release made it clear the program was aimed at drug smugglers at sea:
“Operation Southern Spear will deploy unmanned air and surface vessels to help determine combinations of unmanned vehicles and manned forces to provide coordinated maritime domain awareness and conduct counternarcotics operations.” US Navy News Release (January 28, 2025)
Since the Navy announced the commencement of “Operation Southern Spear”, the Trump Administration began a series of deadly missile strikes against suspected drug smuggling boats beginning on September 2, 2025 (which have killed at least 80 people since then).
But - despite all the headlines you may be seeing - “Operation Southern Spear” is old news to the US Navy.
What are your thoughts about the US Navy blowing up suspected drug-smuggling boats?
Share your thoughts in the comments to this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
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BILL AND MELINDA GATES. HOLOCAUST ONGOIN G2025…………
I am elated that they are blowing up the narco boats. Keeping our citizens safer without the fentenyl et all.