The Trump administration is taking the fight against drug cartels to a new level.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the launch of a new counter-narcotics Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Caribbean, directed by President Donald Trump, aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and keeping illicit substances off U.S. shores.
“The aim is to crush the cartels, stop the poison, and keep America safe,” Hegseth said on Friday. “The message is clear: if you traffic drugs toward our shores, we will stop you cold.”
The task force operates under the II Marine Expeditionary Force and will coordinate counter-narcotics efforts across the Western Hemisphere alongside U.S. and partner-nation forces.
SOUTHCOM commander Admiral Alvin Holsey emphasized the initiative’s strategic importance, stating the JTF will enhance the ability to detect, disrupt, and dismantle illicit trafficking networks faster and with greater depth.
The announcement follows a series of strikes in the Caribbean targeting vessels linked to drug trafficking. Over the past few months, the administration has reportedly targeted four small boats believed to be carrying drugs, resulting in 21 deaths.
Trump confirmed on Truth Social that he personally ordered a lethal strike on a vessel linked to a designated terrorist organization operating in the Southern Command area of responsibility, per Fox News.
These strikes represent the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to combating transnational criminal organizations, which officials describe as major threats to U.S. security, prosperity, and public health. Hegseth framed the initiative as a message to all drug traffickers: illegal activity will meet decisive consequences.
The new counter-narcotics task force reflects a broader administration push to consolidate and coordinate anti-drug efforts. By combining intelligence, military assets, and regional partnerships, the administration hopes to respond more rapidly to cartel activity and disrupt trafficking at its source rather than relying solely on interdiction after drugs reach U.S. territory.
While the Trump administration hails the initiative as a major success, Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern over the strikes, citing a lack of public evidence regarding the targeted boats and passengers.
Critics argue that details on intelligence and due process remain unclear, raising questions about accountability for lethal operations conducted in international waters.
Despite the pushback, Trump and his team are moving forward, framing the operations as a critical step in protecting American citizens from the deadly impact of imported narcotics. The administration’s efforts come amid an ongoing war on drugs that has cost cartels over $1 billion in losses, according to official estimates.
The counter-narcotics JTF represents a significant escalation in U.S. efforts against organized crime in the Caribbean, signaling the Trump administration’s commitment to taking the fight directly to criminal networks and prioritizing American safety.
Officials say the task force will track, disrupt, and dismantle illicit trafficking networks at every level, combining military precision with regional cooperation.
Trump’s hands-on approach, including authorizing direct lethal strikes, demonstrates the administration’s resolve to protect the homeland while sending a warning to traffickers: the United States will not tolerate attempts to flood its streets with dangerous drugs.
