AV-8B Harrier II aircraft from the United States Marine Corps, part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU), have conducted live-fire military exercises from the amphibious ship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea. This action is part of a deployment ordered by Washington under Operation "Southern Spear."
The drills are taking place amidst heightened geopolitical tensions in the region and ongoing U.S. pressure on Nicolás Maduro's government in Venezuela.
These live-fire exercises are a component of the Joint Task Force "Southern Spear" operations, overseen by the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which covers 31 countries and territories across South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The deployment of Harrier attack jets from the Iwo Jima is part of a broader military strategy aimed, according to the Pentagon, at "driving narcoterrorists out of the Western Hemisphere" and bolstering the defense of what Washington considers its strategic "backyard."
Operation "Southern Spear": A Significant Military Initiative
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the operation, presenting "Southern Spear" as a substantial new military endeavor in Latin America, initiated by the Trump administration. In statements on the social network X, Hegseth explained that the mission is led by the Joint Task Force and SOUTHCOM, with the aim of safeguarding the U.S. homeland and halting the influx of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, which Washington attributes to Latin American drug trafficking networks labeled as "narcoterrorists."
While the official narrative frames "Southern Spear" within the anti-drug fight, the military presence also carries a political undertone: exerting pressure on Nicolás Maduro's regime.
Since summer, the Pentagon has intensified its presence in the Caribbean, particularly off Venezuela's coast, with the arrival of warships, destroyers, amphibious forces, and recently, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, touted as the largest and most advanced in the world.
Geopolitical Tensions and Military Posturing
Reports from U.S. media indicate that high-ranking Pentagon officials have even presented President Trump with "updated options" to strike Venezuela, though no definitive decision has been made.
In this context, the Harrier live-fire exercises from the Iwo Jima are seen as a show of force near Venezuelan waters and a deterrent message directed at Caracas.
Alongside these visible maneuvers, Operation "Southern Spear" has included lethal attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
According to outlets like CNN, the U.S. has carried out at least 20 such attacks, resulting in around 80 fatalities, many without formal identification or public evidence linking them to drug trafficking, sparking legal questions and criticism from European allies and regional actors who demand more transparency in authorizing deadly actions in international waters.
In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed European partners' attempts to influence how Washington defines its national security defense.
Responses from Venezuela and Regional Actors
Nicolás Maduro's government has condemned the operation and U.S. military exercises as part of a "militarization of the Caribbean" strategy.
In a televised address, Maduro accused the U.S. of using "false narratives" to justify the increasing military deployment, likening it to past claims of weapons of mass destruction used to legitimize interventions in other nations.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López denounced the U.S. military presence as a "blatant attack on the sovereignty and peace" of not just Venezuela, but all of Latin America.
In retaliation, Caracas organized an internal military exercise, mobilizing about 200,000 soldiers under the banner of defending the country against an alleged "imperialist" threat.
Drug Control or Geopolitical Pressure?
Experts and analysts question the actual effectiveness of such deployments in combating drug trafficking. Elizabeth Dickinson from the International Crisis Group noted that an aircraft carrier or large naval units contribute little in practical terms to combating drug routes, suggesting their role is more symbolic and political.
In her view, "Southern Spear" is mainly aimed at heightening pressure on Maduro's regime, rather than dismantling regional drug trafficking networks.
With Marine Corps Harriers firing live rounds from the USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean, the Ford and other U.S. ships deployed in the area, and lethal strikes on suspect vessels, Operation "Southern Spear" stands as the most considerable U.S. military deployment in Latin America in generations.
Amid rhetoric about defending the "Western Hemisphere," these live-fire drills and associated operations continue to stir diplomatic concerns, legal doubts, and fears of an escalation in Washington's hemispheric policy.
Understanding Operation "Southern Spear" and Its Implications
What is the purpose of Operation "Southern Spear"?
Operation "Southern Spear" aims to drive narcoterrorists out of the Western Hemisphere and strengthen U.S. strategic defenses, with a focus on anti-drug efforts and political pressure on Venezuela.
How has Venezuela reacted to the U.S. military exercises?
Venezuela has condemned the exercises as part of a U.S. strategy of "militarization of the Caribbean," accusing Washington of using false narratives to justify its military presence.
What are the criticisms of the U.S. operations in the Caribbean?
Critics, including European allies, have raised legal and transparency concerns about the criteria for authorizing lethal attacks in international waters, questioning their effectiveness in combating drug trafficking.