Partner of Choice
We strive to be the region’s preferred security partner and the innovation platform for our partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, the U.S. government, academia, and the private sector.
Guatemalan marines conduct water assault training under the supervision of U.S. Marines March 9, 2016, Guatemala, as a part of a U.S. Security Cooperation Team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Westin Warburton/RELEASED)
Our approach is guided by respect for the Inter-American principles of peace, stability, effective governance, security, equality, and human rights. Through our capacity building efforts, we help create empowered, equal partners who are willing and able to confront shared challenges to our hemisphere’s security.
From public-private partnerships to experimentation efforts, we seek to leverage innovative technologies, innovative ideas, and innovative people into our efforts.
Our Partnering Efforts & Missions
Active engagement with our neighbors in Central America, South America and the Caribbean contributes to regional and U.S. security. The U.S. military builds regional security through sustained engagement in order to deter adversaries, preserve stability, support allies and partners, and cooperate with others to address common security challenges.
Promoting respect for human rights in Central and South America and the Caribbean is one of our top priorities. We have integrated respect for human rights as part of the SOUTHCOM mission since 1990.
The U.S. National Guard's State Partnership Program (SPP) has been successfully building relationships with partner nation forces since 1993. In SOUTHCOM's Area of Responsibility, 17 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia have active partnerships with defense and security forces from 23 nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
The CBSI Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) is a small team comprised of U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army engineers and logisticians who help select Caribbean coast guards and maritime-patrol units improve maintenance and operational readiness through technical assistance visits. The TAFT operations support U.S. efforts to strengthen regional security by bolstering the maritime security and counter-trafficking capabilities of Caribbean partner nations.
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) seeks to build partnerships with public agencies and private sector entities to enhance security and stability in the command’s Area of Responsibility (Central America, South America and the Caribbean). The Public / Private Cooperation (PPC) program serves as a hub to facilitate these partnerships.