Coast Guard, Navy, Allies seize $20M of illicit drugs in the Caribbean Sea
The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Netherlands Navy teamed up to seize more than $20M of illegal drugs during four at-sea drug busts in the Caribbean Sea.
Strengthening Our Partnership with Argentina
Argentina and the United States will continue to build on their more than 200-year relationship, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who hosted Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri to the Pentagon July 2, 2025.
ALSO SEE: Readout of Bilateral Meeting With Petri
Hospital Ship Deploys to Latin America and the Caribbean for Continuing Promise Mission
USNS Comfort has deployed for the Continuing Promise 2025 mission. The ship is scheduled to visit Grenada, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic.
U.S., Panama Strengthen Regional Security
WATCH: U.S. Coast Guard personnel and Panama’s Servicio Nacional Aeronaval members conduct a passing exercise (PASSEX) off the coast of Panama, strengthening maritime collaboration.
Supporting Counterdrug Operations: Joint Interagency Task Force South
JIATF South helps degrade & dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean by leveraging all-domain capabilities to target, detect and monitor illicit drug trafficking in the air and maritime domains.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

USNS Comfort Arrives in Manta, Ecuador
The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Manta, Ecuador during Continuing Promise 2025, July 4, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ethan McCubbins)
July 7, 2025 - MANTA, Ecuador -- The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Manta, Ecuador for the third mission stop of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP 25), July 4, 2025.
Coast Guard offloads more than $20 million in illicit drugs interdicted in Caribbean Sea
Crew members of USCGC Northland (WMEC 904) offload more than 5,500 pounds of illicit drugs at U.S. Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, July 2, 2025. The crews of HMCS William Hall (AOPV 433) and HNLMS Friesland (P-842) seized more than $20 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Sherbs)
July 2, 2025 - MIAMI – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Northland’s crew offloaded approximately 2,220 pounds of cocaine and 3,320 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $20.1 million, Wednesday, at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach.
Argentina Increases Military Ties to the United States
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri stand for the playing of the U.S. and Argentine national anthems before a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon, July 2, 2025.
July 2, 2025 - Argentina and the United States will continue to build on their more than 200-year relationship, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.
US Air Force, Salvadoran forces train in simulated combat environment during AMISTAD campaign
A team of El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea members accomplish a tactical combat casualty care training exercise overseen by U.S. Air Force Airmen as part of the AMISTAD campaign June 20, 2025 in Ilopango, El Salvador. The campaign promoted cooperation between the U.S. and host nation healthcare professionals in a resource constrained environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
June 26, 2025 - More than 50 international forces trained to provide care under fire during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care exercise in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 17-20.
Continuing Promise 2025 Mission Update: Panama
250612-A-DT406-1211 ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 12, 2025) An MH-60 Sierra, assigned to the
June 25, 2025 - Balancing operational requirements and contingency readiness, the USNS Comfort will remain in the Caribbean Sea and continue to execute its Continuing Promise 2025 mission. The ship's planned mission stop in Panama will now take place in Colón from June 25-July 1, instead of Panama City as previously scheduled.
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PHOTOS

The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Manta, Ecuador during Continuing Promise 2025, July 4, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ethan McCubbins)
Dental personnel in scrubs work on a patient under a spotlight.
250701-A-LS473-1017 PANAMA CANAL, Panama (July 1, 2025) Sailors aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) pass under Centennial Bridge as they transit the Panama Canal during Continuing Promise 2025, July 1, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)
A suspected drug smuggling vessel is apprehended
A suspected drug smuggling vessel is apprehended
Coast Guard members offload illicit drugs
Coast Guard members offload illicit drugs
Coast Guard members offload illicit drugs
Illicit drugs sit on a flight deck of a Coast Guard cutter
Coast Guard law enforcement officers apprehend a suspected drug smuggling vessel
Doctor checking patient
A team of El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea members accomplish a tactical combat casualty care training exercise overseen by U.S. Air Force Airmen as part of the AMISTAD campaign June 20, 2025 in Ilopango, El Salvador. The campaign promoted cooperation between the U.S. and host nation healthcare professionals in a resource constrained environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
A team of El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea members accomplish a tactical combat casualty care training exercise overseen by U.S. Air Force Airmen as part of the AMISTAD campaign June 20, 2025 in Ilopango, El Salvador. The campaign promoted cooperation between the U.S. and host nation healthcare professionals in a resource constrained environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
An El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea team provides security to a Bell 412 helicopter crew during an aeromedical evacuation training scenario in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. The scenario was part of the AMISTAD campaign intended to promote cooperation between healthcare professionals of U.S. and partner nations in resource-constrained environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
An El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea team carries a litter towards a Bell 412 helicopter during a simulated combat casualty training scenario in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. Teams treated simulated injuries on the medical training mannequin and prepared it for aeromedical transport during the AMISTAD campaign, an ongoing mission intended to strengthen relations between U.S. and partner nations by training together in resource-constrained environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Nazario (left), 302d Aeromedical Staging Squadron medical technician, and Capt. Samuel Hendricks, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron critical nurse, assist an El Salvador Primera Brigada Aérea member with applying a seal to a sucking chest wound to a medical training mannequin in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. The training was part of the AMISTAD campaign, a mission designed to promote cooperation between U.S. and host nation medical professions training in resource-constrained environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
A Salvadoran Bell 412 helicopter takes off en route to the Central Military Hospital with a simulated patient on board during a training exercise in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. Salvadoran ground medical teams worked together to load the patient onto the aircraft as part of the AMISTAD campaign, a mission promoting cooperation between healthcare professionals of the U.S. and partner nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Marissa Poindexter, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron medical technician, applies simulated injuries to the face of an El Salvador Primera Brigada Aerea member prior to a training exercise in Ilopango, El Salvador, June 20, 2025. The simulated tactical combat casualty care was part of the AMISTAD campaign, intended to promote cooperation between healthcare professionals of U.S. and partner nations in Central and South America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 12, 2025) U.S. Navy surgeons, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), perform a hernia surgery on a Grenadian citizen aboard Comfort during Continuing Promise 2025 in St. George’s, Grenada, June 12, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonas Womack)
250611-N-MQ781-1184 ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 11, 2025) Cmdr. Jessica Santucci, a pediatric anesthesiologist assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), places vital monitors on a pediatric patient at Grenada General Hospital during Continuing Promise 2025 in St. George’s, Grenada, June 11, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfredo Marron)
A white U.S. military hospital ship floats in the ocean while a military helicopter approaches it
250625-A-LS473-1017 COLÓN, Panama (June 25, 2025) The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Colón, Panama during Continuing Promise 2025, June 25, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)
250616-A-LS473-1067 ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 16, 2025) The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departs from St. George’s, Grenada, during Continuing Promise 2025, June 16, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)
Panamanian service members and U.S. Marines walk in a single filed line carrying guns
A U.S. Army service member sings the national anthem on the soccer field at Hard Rock Stadium while the color guard stands behind them
A color guard stands at attention on the soccer field at Hard Rock Stadium during the FIFA Club World Cup opening ceremeony
A U.S. Navy service member in the color guard stands at attention holding the American flag
250610-N-DF135-1092 ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 10, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Dennis Begley explains the ship’s medical capabilities to Grenadian media aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during Continuing Promise 2025, June 10, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led Mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deven Fernandez)
250610-N-DF135-1044 ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA (June 10, 2025) Honorable Philip Telesford, Minister of Health of Grenada, speaks at the Continuing Promise 2025 opening ceremony in St. George’s, Grenada, June 10, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led Mission since 2007, which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deven Fernandez)
A helicopter hovers over a building while service members slide down a rope from the helicopter down to the roof of the building
An armored military vehicle is parked in the middle of a field with a helicopter flying above it and pink smoke in the air
Service members carrying weapons and a paper bag walk out of a powerplant after a training
A military plane prepares for takeoff during a training exercise
U.S. and Chilean service members practice aiming at a wooden board with a photo on it in the middle of a desert
U.S. and Chilean service member stand, kneel, while others lay on their stomach holding machine guns in a desert
USCGC Valiant (WMEC 621) crew stands next to bales of drugs
USCGC Valiant crew member loads drugs on pallets
USCGC Valiant crew members offload drugs
A Coast Guard hat sits on bales of drugs
A Coast Guard cutter moors at a Port Everglades pier
Drugs offloaded from USCGC Vigorous sit on pallets at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach
Bales and barrels of illicit drugs await to be taken aboard a Coast Guard cutter
Coast Guard members drive a boat in the Caribbean Sea
A boat burns in the Caribbean Sea
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Luke Johnson (left) and Senior Airman Erin Bell (right), AMISTAD Optometry Technicians pose outside the optometry clinic door and under the AMISTAD 2025 banner, in Iquitos, Peru, June 2, 2025. AMISTAD enables U.S. and partner nation medics to train and operate in resource constrained environments, building readiness for real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria Edwards)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Eckler, AMISTAD Logistics Lead, unpacks prescription eyeglasses for the AMISTAD optometry clinic in Iquitos, Peru, June 2, 2025. Through total force integration, Reserve and Active-Duty Airmen work together and with partners nations to hone skills required for medical and crisis response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria Edwards)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Jenny Sung, AMISTAD Optometrist, tests a phoropter in Iquitos, Peru, June 2, 2025. The phoropter is used to measure the glasses prescription level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria Edwards)
U.S. Air Force AMISTAD team members and Hospital Regional de Loreto leadership pose for a photo on the opening day of AMISTAD 2025 in Iquitos, Peru, June 2, 2025. This Peruvian and U.S. medical assistance training opportunity offers real-world benefits to U.S. and partner nation medical teams and the people of Peru by relieving strained medical systems, training U.S. and local medical professionals, and promoting the health and well-being of the people of Peru. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria Edwards)
U.S., Chilean Marines conduct live-fire ranges during Exercise UNITAS 2024
Admiral Alvin Holsey stands on the right while a Navy officer gives a tour of a dental patient room

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

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