U.S. Southern Command Official Website

A U.S. Air Force service member holds the American flag next to a member of Panama’s Guardia Presidencial

Aug 03 2026

Panama to host multinational PANAMAX exercise...

Panama is set to host participants from 18 partner nations, including the United States, for the PANAMAX 2026 exercise Aug. 3-13, 2026.
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U.S. Marines offload disaster assistance supplies from a Landing Craft

Jun 29 2026

Support to Venezuela Earthquake Relief

U.S. military forces are supporting Department of State-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela in the aftermath of the June 24, 2026, earthquakes.
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Three small boats are ablaze in ocean as a white coast guard ship sails in the background.

May 14 2026

Disrupting Narco-Terrorist Networks

Latest news and information on SOUTHCOM efforts to work with partners to detect, disrupt, and dismantle cartels and narco-terrorist networks.
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Apr 21 2026

New Autonomous Warfare Command

U.S. Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), has directed the establishment of the SOUTHCOM Autonomous Warfare Command (SAWC).
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Support to Venezuela Earthquake Relief

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma crew members conduct interdiction operations in the Gulf of America, May 8, 2026. Tahoma’s crew, alongside a deployed Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, stopped three suspected smuggling vessels carrying narcotics during a maritime patrol approximately 90 miles off Cartagena, Colombia. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Disrupting Narco-Terrorist Networks

News

SOUTHCOM Release | Aug. 3, 2026

Panama to host multinational PANAMAX exercise Aug. 3-13

Panama is set to host participants from 18 partner nations, including the United States, for the PANAMAX 2026 exercise Aug. 3-13, 2026. PANAMAX 2026 will provide participating nations an opportunity to conduct combined security and stability

Training & Exercises | Aug. 2, 2026

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and USS San Antonio Transit Panama Canal

On August 1, 2026, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) — operating as Littoral Combat Force-24 (LCF-24) — aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), completed a transit through the Panama Canal while operating under

Training & Exercises | July 30, 2026

Joint Task Force-Bravo completes PANAMAX-Alpha

Joint Task Force-Bravo concludes operations for their annual, bilateral exercise PANAMAX-Alpha in Panama on July 27, 2026. PANAMAX-Alpha, sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, serves as a critical training platform for U.S. and Panamanian forces.

Disaster Relief | July 15, 2026

U.S. Forces Continue Providing Disaster Relief Assistance in Venezuela

U.S. armed forces are continuing to provide disaster relief assistance to the people of Venezuela in the aftermath of two devastating June 24 earthquakes.

Commander

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan is the Commander of U.S. Southern Command. Gen. Donovan assumed command Feb. 5, 2026

GEN. DONOVAN'S BIO

Four Imperatives

SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan has developed four imperatives to posture the U.S. military to confront the threats facing the Western Hemisphere.

Strengthen hemispheric command and control.
Impose total systemic friction on drug cartels and terrorist organizations.
Develop and field cost-effective, modernized forces tailored for the mission.
Deny adversary footholds and undue influence in the Western Hemisphere.

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Videos

Video by Sgt. Daniel Childs

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LCF-24: USS San Antonio Straddles the Caribbean Sea and Pacific in Panama

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Aug. 1, 2026 | 4:02

San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17), transits through the Panama Canal, Aug. 1, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Department of War-directed operations, and the President’s priorities.  (U.S. Marine Corps video) 