Countering Narcoterrorism and Cartels

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) leads operations to apply total systemic friction on drug cartels and narcoterrorist networks that threaten the security of the United States and our regional partners.

Screenshot of a video of the April 19 Joint Task Force Southern Spear lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

Drug cartels and narcoterrorist organizations operate throughout the Western Hemisphere, producing and moving illicit drugs, trafficking in humans, weapons, and contraband, and destabilizing the region through violence and corruption. 

SOUTHCOM, in support of the President’s directive and through operations like Operation Southern Spear, deploys joint task forces and leverages interagency and international partnerships to detect, disrupt, and dismantle these networks.

Our efforts include: 

• Maritime interdiction operations with the U.S. Coast Guard and Marine Corps Special Purpose Forces. 

• Intelligence fusion and rapid information sharing with partner nations through Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S). 

• Direct support to regional security forces, including advanced training and intelligence sharing. 

• Targeted operations to destroy drug labs, neutralize leaders, and prevent tons of cocaine from reaching U.S. communities. 

SOUTHCOM is committed to evolving our capabilities, integrating next-generation technologies like unmanned platforms and AI, and strengthening our partners’ ability to counter these threats at the source and along critical supply chains.