News

A group of men in reflective safety vests speak to each other.

May 14, 2025

U.S. Engineering Team Assesses Colón, Panama’s Infrastructure Challenges, Strengthening Bilateral Partnership

A team from the U.S. Army’s 553rd Forward Engineer Support Team-Advance (FEST-A) drove around important parts of the city of Colón, Panama, surveying the stormwater and wastewater systems on May 13, 2025. The survey was designed to find ways to bolster the ongoing partnership between the United States and Panama while addressing one of Panama’s largest city’s long-standing infrastructure issues.

A formation of people in military uniforms stand with man in a dark blue suit in the center.

May 13, 2025

U.S. Southern Command, Guatemala's Ministry of Defense commence CENTAM Guardian 2025

Armed forces members from five partner nations assembled May 12 at Mariscal Zavala military base for the start of CENTAM GUARDIAN 2025, the fourth iteration of the annual multinational exercise.

The littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) interdicted a suspected drug smuggling vessel May 1 while supporting Joint Interagency Task Force South. This is the ship's third successful interdiction during its maiden deployment. In mid-April, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul interdicted two vessels, confiscating 580 kilograms (1,279 pounds) of cocaine valued at $9,463,860 and 1,125 kilograms (2,480 pounds) of marijuana valued at $2,807,360. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul is assigned to Commander, Task Force 45, the 4th Fleet surface task force responsible for combined naval operations, building partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean, and supporting Joint Interagency Task Force South's counter-drug trafficking operations. LEDETs are deployable specialized Coast Guard forces that enforce U.S. laws and treaties at sea. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command by employing maritime forces in cooperative security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build partnerships to promote regional security and stability in the Caribbean and Central and South America.

May 13, 2025

USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul Scores Another Bust

CARIBBEAN SEA — The littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) interdicted a suspected drug smuggling vessel May 1 while supporting Joint Interagency Task Force South. This is the ship's third successful interdiction during its maiden deployment. In mid-April, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul interdicted two vessels, confiscating 580 kilograms (1,279 pounds) of cocaine valued at $9,463,860 and 1,125 kilograms (2,480 pounds) of marijuana valued at $2,807,360.

One of the 137th Special Operations Wing mission sustainment team’s forward operating site sits near a flightline during TRADEWINDS 25 (TW25), Trinidad and Tobago, April 25, 2025.

May 12, 2025

Oklahoma Air Guard Airmen Maneuver Through TRADEWINDS25

Multi-capable Airmen assigned to the 137th Special Operations Wing mission sustainment team of the Oklahoma Air National Guard strengthened critical self-sustaining skills and assessed their ability to operate in multiple expeditionary environments across the Caribbean during TRADEWINDS25, April 21-May 5.

A man in a while military uniform walks and reviews a formation of service members in brown uniforms.

May 12, 2025

Adm. Holsey Visits Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica

U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica May 7 – 9, 2025 to meet with government and defense officials for discussions on security cooperation.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian Weiblinger, left, team chief, Defense of Cyber Operations Element Team, Florida Army National Guard, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Thane Murphy, center, intelligence analyst, and Sgt. Victor Navarro, right, cyber warfare operator, Defensive Cyberspace Operations Internal Defensive Measures, conduct defensive cyber operations during exercise Southern Defender 25 in Augusta, Georgia, May 6, 2025. This exercise pushes teams to identify vulnerabilities, respond to adversary injects, and coordinate actions across 28 teams in 15 locations consisting of 20 participating countries in real time. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Qin)

May 12, 2025

Cyber Exercise Southern Defender 2025 Bolsters Partner Nation Defense Capabilities

U.S. and Partner nation forces concluded participation in Southern Defender (SD) 2025 May 9. SD25 is a defensive cyber operations exercise designed to enhance cybersecurity capabilities across the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility. Approximately 320 participants from 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries engaged in intensive training and practical exercises across 15 locations focused on mitigating cyber threats.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Hodge, cyber warfare operator, Defensive Cyberspace Operations Internal Defensive Measures, works through simulated cyber threats during exercise Southern Defender 25 in Augusta, Georgia, May 6, 2025. SD 25 is a defensive cyberspace operations focused exercise designed for the U.S. and Allies and partners to collectively strengthen cyberspace awareness, exercise joint all domain operations and counter harmful actors while building multi-lateral capacity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Qin)

May 12, 2025

Southern Defender 25 brings U.S. cyber forces to Brazil

BRASÍLIA, Brazil — U.S. cyber forces participated in cyberspace operations in Brazil during SOUTHERN DEFENDER 25, a multinational cyber defense operation held from April 26 to May 8.

A silhouetted soldier stands on an airfield with an aircraft in the background.

May 6, 2025

90 days in -- Joint Task Force Southern Guard

There are 2,160 hours in 90 days — that’s exactly how long Joint Task Force Southern Guard has been active. In that time, more than 2,500 Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, interagency civilians and contractors answered a short-notice tasking to deploy to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of the Department of Homeland Security’s Illegal Alien Holding Operations.

Three men in suits stand looking left in front of the silhouette of a soldier.

May 5, 2025

Hegseth says deterring China important for hemispheric security

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted an enhanced honor cordon and meeting, welcoming Peruvian Defense Minister Walter Astudillo and Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Elmer Schialer to the Pentagon.

Sgt. Jessica Shields, a water purification specialist with the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, Missouri Army National Guard, checks the chlorine levels of the water meant for cooking and cleaning laundry during TRADEWINDS 25 exercise at Teteron Bay, Trinidad and Tobago, April 27, 2025.

May 1, 2025

Missouri National Guard Water Purification Team Supports TRADEWINDS 25

TETERON BAY, Trinidad – Few resources are more critical than clean water for sustaining troops in the field. From cooking meals to maintaining hygiene, a steady supply of safe water is essential to keeping Soldiers healthy, mission-focused and ready to train during multinational exercises like TRADEWINDS 25 (TW25).Behind the scenes, Soldiers from