What’s going on in Venezuela? – Background and Update on Operation Southern Spear

Breaking Developments: President Trump dramatically escalated the U.S. posture in the Caribbean, initiating "Operation Southern Spear" with a level of force that signals this is a top personal priority for his administration. By deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group—the most advanced in the fleet—the President is delivering on his "peace through strength" doctrine, moving beyond sanctions to direct military deterrence.

In a coordinated move, the administration announced that the Cartel de los Soles, an organization allegedly run by Nicolás Maduro, will be designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) effective November 24, 2025. This designation serves a dual purpose: it legally brands the Venezuelan state apparatus as a terrorist entity and grants the U.S. military expanded rules of engagement.

The President’s Personal Stake For President Trump, the crisis in Venezuela is not just a diplomatic dispute; it is a domestic security issue he views as "destroying American families." Sources close to the White House indicate that the President sees the flow of narcotics from Venezuela not as mere crime, but as a form of asymmetric warfare against the U.S. homeland.

Trump has frequently personalized the conflict, referring to Maduro as an "illegitimate" dictator who stole the 2024 election—a narrative that resonates deeply with his political brand. By treating the Maduro regime as a "narco-state" rather than a sovereign government, Trump is bypassing traditional diplomatic niceties to strike directly at what he views as the source of regional instability. This operation marks a definitive shift: the President is no longer waiting for international consensus, choosing instead to secure "America's neighborhood" on his own terms.