Pentagon Creating New Counter-Narcotics Joint Task Force in Southern Command, Hegseth Says

‘The message is clear: if you traffic drugs toward our shores, we will stop you cold,’ the Pentagon chief said.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, Va., on Sept. 30, 2025. Andrew Harnik /Pool via Reuters

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Oct. 10 that President Donald Trump has directed the creation of a new counter-narcotics joint task force in the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility.

The SOUTHCOM oversees U.S. military operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Sea. The joint command comprises more than 1,200 military and civilian personnel.