Oct. 5, 2023

The Expanding Leverage of the People’s Republic of China in Latin America: Implications for US National Security and Global Order

Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs — This article examines the growing influence operations conducted by the Chinese Communist Party-led government in Latin America, presenting strategic risks to US national security and global order. The author highlights the surprising breadth and scale of China's influence, encompassing economic entanglements, critical infrastructure investments, coercive diplomacy, and information control.

Aug. 1, 2022

U.S. 4th Fleet Announces USNS Comfort Deployment

The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations this fall as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Continuing Promise 2022 mission.

Nov. 2, 2021

IAAFA program acts as force multiplier and security cooperation tool

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Since 1943 the Inter-American Air Forces Academy has promoted Security Cooperation principles through the delivery of education and training to 23 Western Hemisphere Partner Nations. The academy carries on this tradition by delivering in-residence curriculum encompassing three core tasks: technical, professional military education and aircrew training. The delivery of these competencies across 31 courses relies on the professionalism and expertise of IAAFA’s instructor corps. This group of professionals includes a cadre of Latin American guest instructors, known as Partner Nation Guest Instructors or PNGIs.

March 11, 2021

U.S., NATO Defense Leaders Discuss the Future of Western Hemisphere Security

enior military leaders from the Department of Defense, Canada, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom held strategic level discussions to explore the future of the Western Hemisphere’s security through a trans-Atlantic lens.

July 10, 2020

Trump Visits Southern Command for Briefing on Campaign Against Drug Traffickers

President Donald J. Trump travelled to Florida this morning for a briefing on what he said has been a successful operation to cut the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper accompanied the president to U.S. Southern Command headquarters, where Trump was briefed on the campaign against drug traffickers. The whole-of-government and international operation against international drug cartels involves 16 federal agencies and 20 international partners.

June 26, 2020

U.S. Marine task force holds opening ceremony for crisis response deployment

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — U.S. Marines and Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Southern Command held an opening ceremony to officially kick off the start of their crisis response deployment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 26. The ceremony marks the sixth consecutive year the SPMAGTF-SC will serve as the crisis response force assigned to U.S. Southern Command. The task force is prepared and postured to deploy to the Latin American and the Caribbean region to work alongside partner nation militaries, enhancing combined crisis response efforts...

Feb. 4, 2020

USS Detroit Returns for Maiden Mid-Deployment Scheduled Maintenance

In order to swap out crews, USS Detroit (LCS 7) with embarked Gold crew, returned to her Mayport, Florida homeport Feb. 2. The scheduled, pierside pause comes in the midst of the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship’s maiden deployment. While inport, the Gold crew will rotate off following turnover with the Blue crew. The visit will also include a short maintenance period.

Jan. 31, 2020

Military Leaders Brief Lawmakers on Budget Needs

The commanders of U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Southern Command shared the challenges their commands face with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Sept. 18, 2019

California Marines heading to Central and South America on Amphibious Ship

Approximately 200 U.S. Marines and Sailors will embark on a U.S. Navy amphibious ship heading to Central and South America for the month of October. Marines and Sailors from across I Marine Expeditionary Force will participate in various humanitarian assistance and disaster relief-focused events in Central and South America.

July 31, 2019

Comfort Departs Costa Rica Following Closing Ceremony

The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) held its closing ceremony at Gimnasio el Coloso de Barranca symbolizing the completion of the hospital ship’s third medical mission in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, July 27.