✦ History

War on cartels (2025–present)

November 13, 2025

The United States has used military force, including strikes on suspected drug boats and forces deployed to the Caribbean, against drug cartels it labels terrorists. The campaign, called Operation Southern Spear, led to the 2026 action in Venezuela.

Overview Contemporaries

United States and allies

Cuba

Other

United States
Argentina
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Trinidad and Tobago
El Salvador
United Kingdom
Colombia
Cuba
Venezuela
Donald Trump military commander Marco Rubio belligerent leader Luis Abinader belligerent leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar belligerent leader Dan Caine military commander Pete Hegseth military commander
Raúl Castro military commander Manuel Marrero Cruz belligerent leader Diosdado Cabello military commander Nicolás Maduro belligerent leader Delcy Rodriguez belligerent leader

Strength and losses

United States Killed 1 · Wounded 7

Venezuela Captured 2

Deaths
172

Battles 1