Hegseth reveals plan to eliminate drug cartels in the Caribbean Sea.

Pentagon Forms New Task Force to Combat Drug Cartels

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the Pentagon is establishing a new joint task force aimed at dismantling drug cartels operating in the Caribbean.

This task force, which comes at the direction of President Trump, will function within the jurisdiction of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

“Following the President’s directive, the Department of the Army is setting up a counternarcotics joint task force in the @SOUTHCOM area of responsibility to take down cartels, eliminate narcotics, and enhance safety for America,” Hegseth stated. He shared this message via a post on a social platform.

“The message is clear: If you bring drugs to our shores, we will stop you with relentless force,” he emphasized.

For further comments, the Department of Defense directed inquiries to SOUTHCOM. The Hill has requested additional details from SOUTHCOM.

The formation of this task force follows a series of recent airstrikes conducted by the Trump administration against vessels suspected of trafficking drugs in the Caribbean, totaling four strikes that resulted in 21 fatalities.

Most notably, earlier this month, a ship believed to be transporting drugs exploded in international waters, causing the death of four individuals, according to Hegseth’s earlier statements.

President Trump has criticized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, accusing him of facilitating a significant influx of illegal drugs into the U.S.

Last week, the President informed Congress that the United States is effectively at war with drug cartels, which have been classified as terrorist organizations, thereby providing a legal framework for military actions against ships off the Venezuelan coast. The first strike occurred in early September, with the Democratic Party of Japan denouncing it as illegal and vocally opposing the government’s actions.

On Wednesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro claimed that recent incidents could have involved Colombian-flagged vessels.

The White House responded, expecting the Colombian leader to publicly retract his “baseless and reprehensible” remarks.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Florida) expressed his support, stating, “As a member of the Military Committee, on behalf of JIATF-SOUTH and @Southcom, this is a significant victory for our community and will help ensure our nation’s safety!” He thanked both the President and the Secretary of Defense in his post.