Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Panama’s Public Security Minister Frank Abrego brief the media in Panama City, April 9, 2025.
The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James offloaded more than 44,550 pounds of cocaine and 3,880 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $509.9 million at Port Everglades, on April 9, 2025.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers opening remarks during the 2025 Central American Security Conference in Panama City, Panama, April 9, 2025.
Joint statement between President Mulino, Panama Canal Authority Administrator, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following April 8th, 2025 bilateral meeting.
Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey joined Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, Rafael F. Leonardo, and Robert G. Salesses for testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, April 1, 2025.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

Hegseth Welcomes Salvadoran Counterpart, Praises Relationship Between Countries
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth greets Salvadoran Defense Minister René Francis Merino Monroy before a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon, April 16, 2025.
April 16, 2025 - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Salvadoran Defense Minister René Francis Merino Monroy to the Pentagon as part of a bilateral engagement in which the secretary praised the bond shared between the two countries.

UNITAS 2025 Mid Planning Conference Concludes
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NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Florida - (Apr. 7, 2025) – Led by Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, more than 100 Sailors, Marines, and civilians gathered onboard Naval Station Mayport in support of the UNITAS 2025 Mid-Planning Conference. This year’s UNITAS, scheduled for September, is the longest-running, multinational maritime exercise in the world. UNITAS 2025 will combine the efforts of Allies and Partners from across the globe and serve as the warfighting introduction to Navy 250 – the U.S. Navy’s year-long birthday celebration. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Southern Command and the trusted maritime partner for Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is the maritime component of U.S. Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security, and stability. (U.S. Navy illustration by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Fischer/Released)
April 11, 2025 - JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet completed the UNITAS 2025 mid planning conference on board Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Apr. 7-11. Held virtually and in-person, the conference brought together commands from the U.S. and partner nations to plan for UNITAS 2025, the 66th iteration of the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise.

USS Chosin supports Central American Security Conference 2025
U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command, boards the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, USS Chosin (CG 65) for a reception night, Panama, April 7, 2025. U.S. Southern Command and the Panamanian security forces collaborate to ensure and maintain regional stability during natural disasters, medical catastrophes or regional conflicts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Van Hoang)
April 11, 2025 - U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander, U.S. Southern Command, and John M. Barrett, Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Panama, co-hosted a reception for Panamanian government officials and foreign dignitaries aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) during a port visit to Panama Apr. 7, opening the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC 2025). CENTSEC is a week of international joint operations and training, to promote and facilitate dialogue and cooperation among regional security partners focused on common challenges and objectives.

USNS Comfort to visit SOUTHCOM Region; Ship to support Continuing Promise 2025 Mission
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MANTA, Ecuador (June 30, 2019) The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) is moored in the port of Manta, Euador. Comfort is working with health and government partners in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean to provide care on the ship and at land-based medical sites, helping to relieve pressure on national medical systems strained by an increase in Venezuelan migrants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Morgan K. Nall/Released)
April 11, 2025 - PANAMA CITY, Panama – (Apr. 10, 2025) – Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced April 9 that a U.S. Navy hospital ship, the USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), will deploy in support of Continuing Promise 2025 later this year.

Hegseth Says U.S. Partnering With Panama to Secure Canal, Deter China
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provides opening remarks at the Central American Security Conference in Panama City, April 9, 2025.
April 9, 2025 - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an expanded partnership between the U.S. and Panama to secure the Panama Canal in order to counter "China's maligned influence" in the region.

Coast Guard offloads nearly $510 million in illegal narcotics interdicted in Eastern Pacific Ocean
Coast Guard Vice Adm. Nathan Moore, Atlantic Area commander, speaks at a press conference in Port Everglades, April 9, 2025. The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James offloaded more than 44,550 pounds of cocaine and 3,880 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $509.9 million intercepted in the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
April 9, 2025 - MIAMI – The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James offloaded more than 44,550 pounds of cocaine and 3,880 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $509.9 million in Port Everglades, Wednesday. 

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Adm. Alvin Holsey bio photo

Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey is the commander of U.S. Southern Command. He assumed command Nov. 7, 2024.

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A Network of Mutual Support: Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command, or TEAM SOUTHCOM, is a command-sponsored organization that aims to support command service members, civilians and family members -- in South Florida and assigned throughout the region.