US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced the launch of Operation Southern Sphere, aimed at wiping out narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere.
The new mission is being spearheaded by the Joint Task Force Southern Spear and US Southern Command against what Mr Hegseth has previously labelled the "Al-Qaeda of the West".
Announcing the launch, Mr Hegseth said: "President Trump ordered action - and the Department of War is delivering.
"Today, I’m announcing Operation Southern Spear.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced the launch of Operation Southern Sphere
|REUTERS
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"Led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and US Southern Command, 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 neighbourhood - and we will protect it."
The operation's launch comes after Mr Hegseth and senior US military officials briefed President Donald Trump on potential military actions against Venezuela.
It is believed the President was briefed about the potential use of land strikes against the South American nation.
Mr Trump was allegedly briefed about the potential use of land strikes against Venezuela
| PANo official decision is said to have been made on future military action - but planning is believed to be gathering pace.
The US military has carried out strikes on at least 21 drug-trafficking boats since September.
Those strikes have killed more than 80 suspected narco-terrorists in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.
Speaking at a defence conference in Indiana, the War Secretary said the strikes form part of broader plans for future action against drug traffickers.
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The strikes have killed more than 80 suspected narco-terrorists since September
| TRUTH SOCIALHe told the summit: “My advice to foreign terrorist organisations is: Do not get in a boat.
“If you’re trafficking drugs… we will find you and we will kill you."
Trump officials say Operation Southern Spear will help dismantle cartel networks believed to be bolstering far-left Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro’s grip on power.
Caracas has responded to the recent US military action by launching enormous nationwide drills involving around 200,000 soldiers.
President Maduro has repeatedly claimed that the US is gearing up to stage a regime change in Venezuela
| GETTYVenezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino has accused the US of carrying out extrajudicial killings in international waters.
He told state TV: “They are murdering defenceless people… executing them without due process.”
Mr Padrino warned US forces that any invasion of the rogue South American state would be met by “a community united to defend this nation, to the death.”
President Maduro has repeatedly claimed that the US is gearing up to stage a regime change in Venezuela.
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