The Pentagon is dispatching hundreds of U.S. Army personnel to Latin America as part of an expanding initiative to counter drug trafficking. This deployment involves soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division, headquartered at Fort Drum, New York. An initial battalion of approximately 600 troops is slated to begin their mission in Panama, according to recent reports.
Expanded Regional Presence
The initial phase of the deployment will see troops training at a newly established jungle warfare facility in Panama. Following this, the soldiers are expected to conduct joint training exercises with host nation forces in Colombia and Honduras. These U.S. personnel may also provide assistance to American special operations teams that are advising local military units engaged in operations against suspected drug traffickers.
In a related development, several hundred additional soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division are anticipated to fill roles at a new military command for the Western Hemisphere, which will be based in Miami.
Strategic Objectives and Ongoing Operations
This increased military presence aligns with the Pentagon's ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks across Latin America and the Caribbean. Since the commencement of this campaign over a year ago, U.S. forces have executed numerous operations, resulting in dozens of strikes and more than 235 fatalities.
General Francis Donovan, who commands U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), previously indicated that the military was evaluating options for ground-based operations against these illicit networks.
"Do I see land strikes as options? Yes. We want all options at the table," Donovan stated in an interview.
He elaborated on potential actions, suggesting they could include "strikes, arrests, or the takedown of a safe house." Donovan also mentioned "something as routine as increasing the use of cargo scanners at border checkpoints." The overarching objective, he added, is to generate "total systemic friction" for the cartels.
Diplomatic Efforts for Enhanced Cooperation
The previous U.S. administration actively sought agreements with allied nations that could facilitate the expansion of military operations against trafficking organizations onto land within various Latin American countries.
During a visit to Panama in August, then-Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported that Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras had consented to permit joint military operations with the U.S. against criminal groups operating within their respective territories. However, Guatemala subsequently issued a denial regarding any such agreement.