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US Destroyers Off the Coast of Mexico Supporting a New Domestic Security Strategy.
On March 22, 2025, the USS Spruance, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, departed Naval Base San Diego, heading toward the southern U.S. border. A week earlier, the USS Gravely had already been deployed to the Gulf of Mexico. These two movements mark an unprecedented concentration of naval assets for a border security mission. While the Trump administration emphasizes its commitment to fighting organized crime and reinforcing territorial security, the use of sophisticated warships for such operations raises numerous questions about their actual mission and suitability for this kind of operational environment.
The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (Picture source: US DoD)
According to U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), the Spruance and Gravely were deployed to “restore territorial integrity at the southern border” and to support operations targeting maritime terrorism, weapons proliferation, transnational crime, piracy, environmental destruction, and illegal maritime immigration. This deployment reflects a broader strategic shift toward the Western Hemisphere, and specifically toward the U.S.–Mexico border, as outlined in the priorities set by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The strategy includes reallocating funds from other Department of Defense programs to bolster efforts in this region. In the latest unclassified Annual Threat Assessment, Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) have been identified as the leading threat to U.S. national security.
Beyond the symbolic dimension, these destroyers offer concrete operational capabilities. Each ship is accompanied by a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), units specializing in maritime interdiction and policing operations. These teams have significant experience in counter-narcotics and maritime trafficking missions. The Arleigh Burke Flight IIA class also features advanced electronic sensors capable of detecting small vessels and semi-submersibles often used in illegal trafficking. The destroyers can also serve as command-and-control hubs for coordinating naval, air, and ground assets, thereby acting as force multipliers.
This naval deployment is part of a broader buildup of military and intelligence assets along the border and in adjacent maritime and air domains. Upon taking office, President Trump signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency at the Southwest border and deployed an additional 1,600 troops, adding to the 2,500 National Guard members already stationed there. Additional reinforcements from units such as the 10th Mountain Division are expected to bring the total number of U.S. military personnel to approximately 4,740, mainly assigned to logistics, maintenance, and support roles for border patrol operations.
At the same time, advanced aerial surveillance capabilities have been deployed. U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon and U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft have conducted several missions over areas identified as cartel strongholds, including Culiacán, the epicenter of internal conflict within the Sinaloa cartel. In February 2025, media reports revealed that MQ-9 Reaper drones operated by the CIA were also conducting reconnaissance missions over Mexican territory, reportedly with the approval of the Mexican government, as confirmed by President Claudia Sheinbaum. Mexico’s Secretary of Defense, General Ricardo Trevilla, stated that these drone operations contributed to the capture of two cartel leaders. Taken together, these activities reflect an intensified U.S. military effort to obtain a detailed understanding of the security environment along the southern border.
At the same time, advanced aerial surveillance capabilities have been deployed. U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon and U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft have conducted several missions over areas identified as cartel strongholds, including Culiacán, the epicenter of internal conflict within the Sinaloa cartel (Picture source: US DoD)
The deployment of destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles has sparked concerns over a potential escalation. Although Cuba has officially voiced objections, no other country—including Mexico—has condemned the presence of these vessels. However, statements by President Trump during the State of the Union address, in which he declared that “the cartels are waging war on America, and it’s time for America to wage war on the cartels,” have reignited fears of possible direct military actions against Mexican TCOs. From a strictly military standpoint, the use of precision-guided missiles against lightly defended or undefended criminal groups appears tactically unnecessary. Nevertheless, the intelligence-gathering capabilities provided by the destroyers and other deployed platforms offer a significant advantage in mapping criminal networks and enabling targeted operations by both U.S. and Mexican forces.
Despite the novelty of this mission, the overall impact on U.S. naval readiness remains limited. The deployments do not currently undermine the Navy’s ability to respond to other crises. However, in light of rising tensions in the Middle East—including U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen and increased American naval presence with the deployment of the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group—redeployment of the destroyers to another theater remains a possibility should the situation require it.
This operation marks a significant shift in the U.S. administration’s approach to homeland defense and its campaign against cartels. It could potentially pave the way for a new doctrine involving the use of naval and aerial assets in domestic or regional security missions. Beyond the southern border, the insights gained from this deployment could be applied in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility, where similar challenges exist, including drug trafficking, smuggling, and illegal fishing. The experience could also support enhanced cooperation with European navies, particularly as Europe becomes an increasingly targeted destination for cocaine trafficking. Collaborations with agencies such as the EU’s Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre or joint operations aimed at securing the Caribbean—like those recently conducted with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands—could emerge from this shift.
The deployment of destroyers to the southern U.S. border reflects a strategic reorientation toward the Western Hemisphere and a clear intent to integrate military capabilities more directly into efforts against organized crime. While the presence of these naval assets may be temporary, the operation opens new perspectives for the role of U.S. naval forces in continental security.