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The Pentagon announced the creation of a new counter-narcotics joint task force focused on operations in Latin America, marking a major escalation in U.S. military efforts against drug trafficking. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the initiative aims “to crush the cartels, stop the poison, and keep America safe,” underscoring a renewed military commitment to disrupt illicit drug routes before they reach U.S. shores.
Led by the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the task force will operate under the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of SOUTHCOM, explained that this new structure will “synchronize and augment counter-narcotics efforts across the Western Hemisphere,” enhancing the ability to detect and dismantle trafficking networks in collaboration with partner nations.
Since the launch of intensified operations, U.S. forces have targeted suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, destroying at least four vessels and killing 21 people. Marine Lieutenant General Calvert Worth, who will head the task force, emphasized the maritime nature of the mission, focusing on “maritime patrols, aerial surveillance, precision interdictions, and intelligence sharing” to safeguard communities at home.
However, these aggressive actions have sparked criticism from legal experts and Democratic lawmakers. Many question the legality of lethal strikes on suspected traffickers without transparent evidence or adherence to international law. Critics argue that the administration’s justification under the “law of war” remains insufficient, as lethal force should only be a last resort after non-lethal measures are attempted.
A recent Pentagon document to Congress revealed that President Donald Trump has declared the U.S. to be engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels—an unprecedented legal stance that expands presidential authority to use military force in anti-drug operations.
