U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) – Virgin Islands Free Press

COILED SPRING: Why the USS Gettysburg is Pointing Its Teeth at the Caribbean Horizon

By: JOHN McCARTHY/V.I. Free Press Staff The Anatomy of a Guardian: What’s Under the Hood While the USS Gettysburg (CG-64) might look like a standard cruiser to the tourists on…

John McCarthy February 7, 2026

At VIFreep Breaking News Military News

Blood in the Blue: New SOUTHCOM Commander Orders Deadly Pacific Strike as Caribbean Leaders Split on “Shoot-to-Kill” Policy

By JOHN McCARTHY/V.I. Free Press Staff FREDERIKSTED — The high-seas execution of the Trump administration's "Operation Southern Spear" claimed two more lives yesterday, marking a bloody debut for the new…

John McCarthy February 6, 2026

At VIFreep Breaking News Military News

U.S. Southern Command Conducts Lethal Kinetic Strike on Suspected Narco-Trafficking Vessel in Eastern Pacific

By: JOHN McCARTHY/V.I. Free Press Staff FREDERIKSTED —U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced late February 5 that Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel…

John McCarthy February 5, 2026

Breaking News Military News National News

Ghost on the Water — Coast Guard Still Hunting for Pacific Strike Survivor

ST. THOMAS — The clock is ticking for a lone survivor spotted in the Eastern Pacific following Friday night's lethal U.S. military strike. While SOUTHCOM has confirmed that two people…

John McCarthy January 24, 2026

Breaking News International News Military News

US military kills 2 ‘narco-terrorists’ in Eastern Pacific, leaves 1 survivor

The U.S. military blew up another alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific on Friday, killing two “narco-terrorists,” but one person survived the operation. The vessel, operated by a designated…

John McCarthy January 23, 2026

Breaking News Caribbean News Military News

Trump nominates Lt. Gen. Donovan to lead Southern Command

WASHINGTON — President Trump nominated Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan to be the next leader of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on Friday, a week after Adm. Alvin Holsey formally retired from…

John McCarthy December 20, 2025

Breaking News Military News National News

US military conducts 3 more alleged drug boat strikes in the Pacific, killing 8: SOUTHCOM

U.S. Southern Command shared a video of the strikes on X Monday. The U.S. military said on Monday it struck three more alleged drug boats in the Eastern Pacific, leaving…

John McCarthy December 16, 2025

Breaking News Caribbean News Military News

US admiral leading US troops in Latin America steps down

MIAMI (Reuters) — The admiral in charge of U.S. military forces in Latin America retired two years early on Friday, amid rising tensions with Venezuela that include Wednesday's seizure of an…

John McCarthy December 12, 2025

Breaking News Caribbean News Crime News

US military deploying forces to southern Caribbean against drug groups

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The United States has ordered the deployment of U.S. air and naval forces to the Southern Caribbean Sea to address threats from Latin American drug cartels, two…

John McCarthy August 14, 2025

Black History News Breaking News Caribbean News

First woman to head Southcom steps down, passes baton to first African-American commander

MIAMI — When four-star Army Gen. Laura Richardson became the first woman to lead the U.S. Southern Command three years ago, she inherited all of the concerns of her most…

John McCarthy November 9, 2024