Background on Pete Hegseth and His Role
Pete Hegseth, the United States Secretary of Defense, announced on Thursday the launch of a military operation led by the US Southern Command (Southcom) targeting “narco-terrorists” in Latin America. This announcement comes a day after the deployment of a new aircraft carrier in Latin America and amidst recent Pentagon attacks in the Caribbean, resulting in over 70 fatalities.
Hegseth, known for his strong stance on national security, emphasized the importance of protecting the Western Hemisphere—a region crucial to US interests. He stated on his X (formerly Twitter) account, “Today I announce Operation Southern Thunder… It eliminates narco-terrorists from our hemisphere and safeguards our homeland from drugs that are killing our people. The Western Hemisphere is the backyard of the United States, and we will protect it.”
Recent Military Actions in the Caribbean
Hegseth’s announcement followed reports of another US military attack in Caribbean waters earlier in the week, confirmed by Pentagon sources to CBS and CNN. This marked the twenty-first such attack by Washington since Hegseth announced additional strikes against two vessels carrying three crew members each, with no survivors. The death toll from these Pentagon-directed bombings since mid-September, targeting alleged drug-running boats, has reached 80, as reported by both news outlets.
Operation Southern Thunder: Key Details
Operation Southern Thunder is a joint effort by the US Southern Command and other relevant agencies to combat drug trafficking organizations that engage in terrorist activities. These groups, referred to as “narco-terrorists,” pose a significant threat to regional stability and US national security.
The operation aims to:
- Disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and related violence.
- Protect US citizens from the destabilizing effects of drug-related crime and terrorism.
- Strengthen partnerships with regional allies to enhance security cooperation.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Operation Southern Thunder? It’s a military campaign led by the US Southern Command targeting drug trafficking organizations engaging in terrorist activities, known as “narco-terrorists,” in Latin America.
- Who announced the operation? Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense, announced Operation Southern Thunder.
- When was the operation launched? The operation was announced on Thursday.
- What are the objectives of Operation Southern Thunder? The operation aims to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations, protect US citizens from drug-related crime and terrorism, and strengthen partnerships with regional allies.
