Denying Malign Influence and Securing the Hemisphere

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) directly supports U.S. objectives to deny adversaries—such as China, Russia, and Iran—the ability to gain influence or control over key terrain and infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere.

Screenshot of a video of the April 19 Joint Task Force Southern Spear lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

We work to ensure that the United States and our partners maintain unfettered access to critical locations like the Panama Canal and key ports, and that our region remains free from hostile foreign incursion that could threaten the homeland and hemispheric security. 

Our approach includes: 

• Monitoring and countering foreign investments in critical infrastructure that could be used for intelligence gathering or military advantage. 

• Supporting partner nations in reducing reliance on adversarial economic and security partnerships. 

• Expanding U.S. military partnerships in strategically important locations, such as Panama. 

• Collaborating with regional partners to expose and counter threatening naval, undersea, space, and cyber activities. 

• Enhancing logistics and sustainment capabilities to ensure rapid response and operational flexibility. 

• Collaborating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and regional partners on critical infrastructure projects. 

SOUTHCOM’s efforts are guided by National Security Strategy and the National Defense Strategy objectives to restore American power and priorities in the hemisphere, and ensuring that U.S. interests and those of our partners are protected from malign actors.