U.S. Army Expands Operations in Latin America

The U.S. military is sending several hundred Army soldiers to Latin America. Their mission involves joint exercises with local forces, aiming to combat drug trafficking networks. The deployment originates from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, New York.

The initial group, comprising around 600 soldiers, will head to Panama for training at a jungle facility according to The New York Times. This deployment falls under the oversight of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which will decide the soldiers’ eventual locations.

Training sessions with local forces in Colombia and Honduras are planned. These troops might also assist U.S. special operations units, supporting raids against suspected drug traffickers.

Troops from the 10th Mountain Division will help establish a Western Hemisphere military command in Miami.

These activities coincide with ongoing Pentagon operations against drug trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean. U.S. forces have conducted numerous strikes, resulting in over 235 deaths linked to trafficking since the campaign began.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of SOUTHCOM, suggested that land strikes could be possible to target trafficking networks. Such actions may include raids, arrests, or enhancing cargo scanner use at borders.

Additionally, the U.S. has dispatched naval vessels to Venezuela to support State Department relief efforts. USS Fort Lauderdale and USS Billings are among the ships directed to the region.

The Trump administration seeks agreements with allied nations for expanded operations against trafficking networks. Although Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras have discussed joint military operations, Guatemala denied finalizing such an agreement.