Coast Guard Seizes $74M Worth of Cocaine
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew offloaded approximately 9,970 pounds of cocaine worth $73.7 million, Tuesday, at Port Everglades. The seized contraband was the result of an interdiction June 24 approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador.
U.S. Military, Panamanian Officials Deliver Water Filters to Communities in Panama
U.S. service members recently teamed up with Panamanian authorities to deliver more than 1,100 donated water filters to citizens in Herrera and Los Santos provinces in Panama.
Read Embassy Release
Providing Care and Strengthening Medical Readiness in Suriname
U.S. Air Force medical professionals provided care to hundreds of patients while collaborating with Canadian and Surinamese counterparts during AMISTAD 2025, a global health engagement with Surinamese health care providers, July 12-25.
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.
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 Departs Costa Rica After Fifth CP25 Mission Stop
LIMÓN, Costa Rica (July 28, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) assist a patient departing Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 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 Thomas Boatright)
Aug. 4, 2025 - The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed from Limón, Costa Rica, August 1, 2025, after spending eight days providing medical care, dental care, veterinary care, and multiple subject matter exchanges for Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25).
South Dakota Guard, Suriname Armed Forces Strengthen Partnership
South Dakota National Guard Soldiers with members of the Surinamese Armed Forces during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18, 2025. Service members from the SAF and the SDNG spent ten days sharing critical skills in survival, navigation, and patrolling. This successful collaboration is a part of the National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP).
July 31, 2025 - The South Dakota National Guard and Suriname Armed Forces, or SAF, strengthened their partnership during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18.
D.C. Guard Tests Skills With Jamaican, Barbadian Forces
Soldiers from the D.C. National Guard hone marksmanship skills at Twickenham Park Range in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on July 17, 2025. As part of the Caribbean Regional Training Camp, activities included zeroing, firing from different positions, march-and-shoot practice, and a march-and-shoot competition. The District of Columbia National Guard's (DCNG) partnership with Jamaica, facilitated by the U.S. National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program (SPP), promotes security cooperation through military engagements and interagency collaboration.
July 31, 2025 - Soldiers from the District of Columbia National Guard; Jamaica Defence Force, or JDF; Jamaica National Reserve; and Barbados Defence Force Reserves recently participated in the Caribbean Regional Training Camp 2025, a joint exercise aimed at bolstering regional security, enhancing disaster response capabilities and strengthening interoperability among the participating nations.
Coast Guard offloads more than $74 million in illicit drugs interdicted in the Eastern Pacific
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma standing at parade rest on the flight deck at Port Everglades, Florida, July 29, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of an interdiction on June 24, 2025, approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
July 29, 2025 - MIAMI – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew offloaded approximately 9,970 pounds of cocaine worth $73.7 million, Tuesday, at Port Everglades.
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PHOTOS

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Richard Medina, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), discharges a Costa Rican patient from aboard Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 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.
Hospitalman Selene Cruz, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), checks the vitals of a Costa Rican patient aboard Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 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.
Cmdr. Liza Stone, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), helps a patient depart Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 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.
Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) assist a patient departing Comfort in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 28, 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.
South Dakota National Guard Soldiers with members of the Surinamese Armed Forces during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18, 2025.
Soldiers from the D.C. National Guard hone marksmanship skills at Twickenham Park Range in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on July 17, 2025.
A Coast Guard small boat crew boarding a vessel suspected of drug smuggling operations approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew offloaded approximately 9,970 pounds of cocaine worth $73.7 million, Tuesday, at Port Everglades. (Courtesy asset)
A Coast Guard small boat crew boarding a vessel suspected of drug smuggling operations approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew offloaded approximately 9,970 pounds of cocaine worth $73.7 million, Tuesday, at Port Everglades. (Courtesy asset)
A Coast Guard small boat crew boarding a vessel suspected of drug smuggling operations approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew offloaded approximately 9,970 pounds of cocaine worth $73.7 million, Tuesday, at Port Everglades. (Courtesy asset)
The Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma moors at Port Everglades at Port Everglades, on July 29, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of an interdiction on June 24, 2025, approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador by the crew of the Tahoma. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma wrapping bales of cocaine on the pier at Port Everglades, Florida, July 29, 2025. Interdicted contraband is transferred to partner agencies for destruction. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma passing bales of cocaine off-board during an offload at Port Everglades, Florida, July 29, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of an interdiction on June 24, 2025, approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador by the crew of the Tahoma. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team - Pacific members watching over interdicted contraband at Port Everglades, Florida, July 29, 2025. Tactical law enforcement teams deploy aboard Coast Guard Cutters on drug interdiction missions to provide operational support. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma standing at parade rest on the flight deck at Port Everglades, Florida, July 29, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of an interdiction on June 24, 2025, approximately 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
Image of Senior Airman Adrese Atkins, 931st Aerospace Medical Squadron medical administration technician, serves as a simulated patient for local nurses to test an electrocardiogram machine during AMISTAD 2025 at Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Suriname, July 17, 2025. Atkins helped the nurses relocate the EKG machine to a new treatment room before connecting it to power and calibrating it for patient use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon)
Image of Senior Airman Adrese Atkins, 931st Aerospace Medical Squadron medical administration technician, watches as local medical staff replace a hospital bed at Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Suriname, July 17, 2025. Atkins described AMISTAD 2025 as a valuable learning opportunity since he was challenged with fixing equipment while patients were actively being treated in the same room, or patching rusted gear with paint instead of being able to replace it outright. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon)
Image of Senior Airman Adrese Atkins, 931st Aerospace Medical Squadron medical administration technician, left, meets Kiran Oedai, biomedical technician, at Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Suriname, July 17, 2025. Atkins, who previously served as an active duty aircraft metals technology specialist, said his maintenance background contributes to his creative problem solving when repairing inoperable equipment and devices in an austere environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon)
LIMÓN, Costa Rica (July 24, 2025) The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Limón, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2025, July 24, 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)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 20, 2025) Capt. Grace Key, commanding officer, USNS Comfort Medical Treatment Facility, says goodbye to the Dominican Republic medical team as they depart the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) off the coast of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 20, 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 Rylin Paul)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 17, 2025) Cmdr. Anna Schlenker, director of medical operations and planning assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), assists a Dominican patient aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 17, 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)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 17, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Abby Marvin, assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), takes a Dominican patient’s temperature at a medical site in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 17, 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)
Two sailors, one holding a light device in each hand, watch as a helicopter descends, with an orange and blue sky in the background.
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 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)
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors and Military Sealift Command personnel assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 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)
An overhead shot of a group of uniformed officials sitting around a table.
JEREMIE, Haiti (Dec. 17, 2022) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) 2nd Class Kelsey Turner, assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), directs the pilot of an MH60-S Seahawk, attached to the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, to deliver supplies to the medical site in Jeremie, Haiti, Dec. 17, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S Army photo by Sgt. Ruben Rodriguez Santiago)
Personnel from USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620) offload pallets of illicit narcotics during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. During the patrol, Resolute was joined by the cutters Escanaba, Tahoma, and Hamilton, providing broad, coordinated coverage across the major drug-smuggling vectors running from Ecuador towards the United States. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
The crew of USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620) pose for a group photo during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-South), an interagency and international task force that conducts counter-illicit trafficking and security cooperation operations in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Logan Sullivan, an engineering officer assigned to USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620), wraps bails of illicit narcotics during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute’s crew offloaded nearly 12,600 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $93.2 million following a 59-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Mace, a gunner’s mate assigned to USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620), stands overwatch of illicit narcotics during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, July 17, 2025. Resolute spent several weeks as the only U.S. Coast Guard cutter in the Eastern Pacific, playing a critical role in maintaining maritime domain awareness and operational coverage across a vast area, spanning over one million square miles. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
A U.S. service member talks while sitting at a table with U.S. and Panamanian service members.
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (July 15, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) load medical site cargo aboard Comfort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic during Continuing Promise 2025, July 15, 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)
On the left a patient in a hospital gown covered in a blanket has a wrap on his head and a blood pressure machine attached to his left arm which is giving a thumbs up. On the right a woman in a blue shirt, black jacket, and jeans sits next to the patient
A U-28A Draco from the 27th Special Operations Wing provides surveillance over a visit, board, search, and seizure training exercise involving Air Commandos, Chilean Special Forces, Navy Seals, and the Chilean Navy in Valparaiso, Chile, June 6, 2025, as part of exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25.
An Air Commando assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing performs a pre-flight check on a U-28A Draco in Santiago, Chile, June 4, 2025, as part of exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25
U.S. and Chilean Air Commandos work together to process intelligence video from multiple platforms, including the U-28A Draco, in Rancagua, Chile, June 2, 2025, as part of exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25.
An Air Commando assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing pulls a hose connected to an MC-130 Commando II for a forward arming and refueling point demonstration for Chilean Airmen at Antofagasta, Chile, May 29, 2025 as part of Southern Star 2025
Airman fixes aircraft
U.S. Airman talks with Belize military service members
Planes airdrops cargo
250709-N-BP862-1140 MANTA, Ecuador (July 9, 2025) Hospitalman Christopher Olheiser and Logistics Specialist 3rd class Daniel Clerge, both assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), load medical supplies onto Comfort in Manta, Ecuador during Continuing Promise 2025, July 9, 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 Thomas Boatright)
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

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SOUTHCOM COMMANDER

Adm. Alvin Holsey bio photo

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

Adm. Holsey's Bio