The U.S. Air Force and SOUTHCOM have ramped up Operation Southern Spear, conducting a series of lethal kinetic strikes against “narcoterrorist” vessels. High-profile engagements on March 19, March 8, and February 23 have targeted low-profile craft in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
These precision strikes, often utilizing drones and sea-skimming munitions, have resulted in over 150 casualties since the campaign’s inception. While the Pentagon maintains these are essential national security measures, regional leaders continue to debate the shift toward using high-end military assets for maritime interdiction.
