Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC) 2023
Links to Defense.gov fact sheet highlighting U.S. military partnerships and the Caribbean Nations Security Conference 2023 in Jamaica, where regional security leaders will discuss Caribbean security and cooperation.
U.S. and Colombian Armies Strengthen Partnership
U.S. and Colombian Soldiers trained together during a recent Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
JTF-Bravo Supports Panama's Humanitarian Exercise
U.S. Army Soldiers and helicopters assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Panama to support the Panamanian humanitarian exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023/Mercury V.
SOUTHCOM Commander Testifies
SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Laura Richardson testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee March 23 as part of the command's annual Posture Statement to Congress.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

CENTAM Guardian phase two taking place in Dominican Republic
U.S. Army South Deputy Commanding General, Brig. Gen Miguel Mendez, speaks at the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 2023 (CG23) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, May 22, 2023. CG23 is an annual Army-led combined, joint, interagency, multi-national partnership-building exercise designed to build capacity, capabilities and interoperability with Central American and Caribbean partner nations.
June 1, 2023 - Phase two of U.S. Army South-led CENTAM Guardian 2023 (CG23) commenced with an opening ceremony May 22 at the Ministry of Defense with more than 390 military and USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance from the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic participating in the exercise.
Gen. Richardson Visits Colombia, Brazil
BOGOTA, Colombia (May 21, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, is greeted with honors upon arrival to Colombia. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Colombia)
May 26, 2023 - U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, visited Colombia and Brazil May 21 - 26 and met with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation.
DTRA repatriates usable radioactive materials in Guatemala, marking their first engagement in the U.S. Southern Command
DTRA/DOE team palletizing the Cobalt-60 sources for transport
May 22, 2023 - The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) global reach recently played an integral role in the successful repatriation of two Cobalt-60 radioactive sources. In close partnership with Guatemala’s Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE-NNSA), DTRA facilitated logistical efforts for the safe removal of the sources from the Liga Nacional Contra el Cáncer/Instituto de Cancerología (LIGA/INCAN) in Guatemala City, Guatemala in April 2023.
US, Colombian armies strengthen partnership during training rotation
U.S. and Colombian Soldiers plan for a joint patrol during Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Rotation 23-07 at Fort Polk, Louisiana, April 25, 2023. The rotation has served as an opportunity to enhance interoperability between the two nations, as well as validating their readiness for potential upcoming missions.
May 17, 2023 - An infantry company from the Colombian Army was embedded with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, alongside U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade, during a recent Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
JTF-Bravo Joins Panamanian Humanitarian Exercise
Members of Panama’s Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (SENAFRONT) transfer cargo from a CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment as part of exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023 (known locally as Mercurio V) at a remote location in Panama, May 7, 2023. Since the 1980s, exercises like KBT 23 give Joint Task Force-Bravo, based in Honduras, opportunities to hone its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief skills by working with regional partners, while also providing aid to remote areas across Central America.(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Duncan McElroy)
May 12, 2023 - Joint Task Force-Bravo, a unit under the U.S. Southern Command and based out of Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, will conduct exercise Keel Billed Toucan in locations across Panama from May 9-12.
New York Army Guard Leaders Plan Exercise with Brazil
New York National Guard 1st Sgt. Amanda Eldred, assigned to the 466 Medical Company, Area Support, reviews a medical bag with Brazilian Army Soldiers during a planning conference for Operation Parana in Foz do Iguazu, Brazil, May 3, 2023. The joint training event in August involves international participation to strengthen partnerships and improve interoperability in the event of a natural disaster in South America.
May 12, 2023 - Two New York Army National Guard leaders visited State Partnership Program partner Brazil May 1-5 to lay the groundwork for Guard participation in a Brazilian disaster response exercise in August.
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PHOTOS

.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, takes part in a joint Colombian Military Forces-SOUTHCOM seminar focused on the integration of Women, Peace, and Security into Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) professional development.
BOGOTA, Colombia (May 21, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro to discuss the U.S.-Colombia security partnership.
BOGOTA, Colombia (May 21, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro to discuss the U.S.-Colombia security partnership.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, is greeted with honors upon arrival to Colombia.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Brazilian Minister of Defense Jóse Múcio Monteiro to discuss the longstanding U.S.-Brazil defense partnership.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (left), U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, and Brazilian Minister of Defense Jóse Múcio Monteiro pose for a photo.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Brazil's Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Adm. Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, to discuss strengthening cooperation
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joined U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Brazil military leaders and service members to discuss the role of women in security during an event focused on Women, Peace, and Security aims.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joins U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Brazil military leaders and service members to discuss the role of women in security during an event focused on Women, Peace, and Security aims.
BRASILIA, Brazil (May 24, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joins U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Brazil military leaders and service members to discuss the role of women in security during an event focused on Women, Peace, and Security aims.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, takes part in a joint Colombian Military Forces-SOUTHCOM seminar focused on the integration of Women, Peace, and Security into Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) professional development.
Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Rotation 23-07
Joint Readiness Training Center training rotation
Joint Readiness Training Center rotation
Joint Readiness Training Center rotation
Members of Panama’s Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (SENAFRONT) transfer cargo from a CH-47 Chinook.
Members of Panama’s Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (SENAFRONT) transfer cargo from a CH-47 Chinook.
U.S. Army Col. Phillip Brown, Joint Task Force-Bravo commander, tosses boxes of Meals, Ready-to-Eat, to U.S. Army Maj. Levi Dillon, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment operations officer, at a Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) base.
U.S. Army Sgt. Tucker Sarkissian, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief, affixes his helmet mandible guard prior to takeoff at the Panama Pacific International Airport May 6, 2023.
A CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment prepares to land during exercise Keel Billed Toucan 2023 at a Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) base May 7, 2023, in Nicanor, Panama.
A CH-47 Chinook crew assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, await movement orders during exercise Keel Billed Toucan (known locally as Mercurio V) at a remote location in Panama May 7, 2023.
Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier crewmember helps offload 901 pounds of cocaine in San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 3, 2023. The cutter crew also transferred three suspected smugglers apprehended in this case were to federal agents, following the interdiction of a drug smuggling go-fast vessel north of Puerto Rico, April 29, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier crewmembers offload 901 pounds of cocaine in San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 3, 2023. The cutter crew also transferred three suspected smugglers apprehended in this case were to federal agents, following the interdiction of a drug smuggling go-fast vessel north of Puerto Rico, April 29, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photos)
e commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, and Argentine Armed Forces Joint Command Chief Lt. Gen. Juan Martín Paleo, meet to discuss security cooperation.
Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and Chilean counterpart Gen. Javier Iturriaga, Commander in Chief of the Chilean Army, tour the Joint Task Force during Fused Response April 19 at Special Operations Brigade in Colina.
Special Operations Command South Commanding Officer, Brig. Gen. Peter Huntley briefs the Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Gen. Laura Richardson, and Commander in Chief of the Chilean Army, Gen. Javier Iturriaga, on the intentions and goals for this year’s combined joint training exercise, Fused Response, April 19 at Special Operations Brigade in Colina.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, reviews Chilean Army soldiers in formation during exercise Fused Response April 19 at Special Operations Brigade.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, meets with Chilean Minister of Defense Maya Fernández Allende to discuss security cooperation.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, meets with Argentine Minister of Defense Jorge Taiana to discuss regional security and cooperation.
Members of U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 406 push bales of illegal narcotics aboard USS Farragut (DDG 99) for a drug offload in Port Everglades, Florida, April 4, 2023.
A member of U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 406 offloads interdicted narcotics aboard USS Farragut (DDG 99) in Port Everglades, Florida, April 4, 2023.
Members of U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 406 pose for a photo with $69 million in illegal narcotics aboard USS Farragut (DDG 99) in Port Everglades, Florida, April 4, 2023.
Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, briefs Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez at SOCOM headquarters.
Army Gen. Bryan Fenton, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, briefs Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez at SOCOM headquarters.
Army Gen. Bryan Fenton, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, briefs Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez at SOCOM headquarters.
Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez, Army Gen. Bryan Fenton, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, and Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, arrive at SOCOM headquarters March 30, 2023.
Guatemala Soldiers from the Third Infantry Brigade conduct weapons training in Jutiapa, Guatemala.
Arkansas Army National Guard Soldiers pose in a picture with Brig. Gen. Leland Shepherd during CENTAM Guardian 23 in Jutiapa, Guatemala, March 19, 2023.
Multinational military personnel attend an opening ceremony for CENTAM Guardian 23 in Guatemala City.
Guatemalan soldiers strengthen their cyber defense capabilities through immersive training during CENTAM Guardian 23 in Guatemala City, Guatemala, March 18, 2023.
Brazil's Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Adm. Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, speaks to U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), introduces Brazil's Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Adm. Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, to Vice Adm. Alvin Holsey, the command’s Military Deputy Commander.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Brazil's Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Adm. Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, and the command’s senior enlisted advisor, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones, walk to the entrance to the command's headquarters
MIAMI (March 13, 2023) U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and the command’s senior enlisted advisor, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones, greet Brazil's Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Adm. Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, at the entrance to the command's headquarters.
Left to right: U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Linda Fagan, Coast Guard commandant, U.S. Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, U.S. Transportation Command commander, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, U.S. Southern Command commander, and U.S. Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, vice chief of Naval Operations, answer audience questions during a Women's History Month panel discussion at the Military Women's Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 6, 2023.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, U.S. Transportation Command commander, left, and U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, U.S. Southern Command commander, answer questions during a Women's History Month panel discussion at the Military Women's Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 6, 2023.

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Gen. Laura J. Richardson bio photo

Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson is the 25th commander of SOUTHCOM. She assumed command Oct. 29, 2021.

Gen. Richardson's Bio

 

Coronavirus Info

Graphic with text: COVID-19 Info for SOUTHCOM, USAG-Miami and assigned personnel

TEAM SOUTHCOM button. Links to Team SOUTHCOM page.

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.

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