News

Top News | Aug. 13, 2026

Southcom Mission Shifts to Protecting Sovereignty of U.S., Partner Nations

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met in Panama with U.S. service members who are learning how to survive in the most brutal, unforgiving jungles of the Western Hemisphere, all while retaining their combat effectiveness.

SOUTHCOM Release | Aug. 13, 2026

Gen. Donovan Visits Panama

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, conducted a five-day scheduled visit to Panama to reinforce regional security objectives, review exercise PANAMAX 2026 multinational training, and join senior leaders,

Strengthening Partnerships | Aug. 13, 2026

Missouri National Guard supports PANAMAX 2026 cyber defense partnership

Soldiers with the Missouri National Guard’s 179th Cyber Protection Team and Defensive Cyber Operations Element (DCOE) are supporting collaborative cyber defense exercises with multinational partners as part of PANAMAX 2026, Aug. 3-13, 2026, in

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.

 

  1. Strengthen hemispheric command and control. 

  2. Impose total systemic friction on drug cartels and terrorist organizations. 

  3. Develop and field cost-effective, modernized forces tailored for the mission. 

  4. 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) 
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