April 16, 2025

Hegseth Welcomes Salvadoran Counterpart, Praises Relationship Between Countries

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Salvadoran Defense Minister René Francis Merino Monroy to the Pentagon as part of a bilateral engagement in which the secretary praised the bond shared between the two countries.

April 9, 2025

Hegseth Says U.S. Partnering With Panama to Secure Canal, Deter China

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an expanded partnership between the U.S. and Panama to secure the Panama Canal in order to counter "China's maligned influence" in the region.

Feb. 26, 2025

Hegseth Visits Guantanamo Bay, Engages With Troops

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he took time to speak to service members who are currently supporting the illegal alien holding operations being led by the Department of Homeland Security.

Feb. 5, 2025

First Flight of Illegal Aliens Arrives at Guantanamo

At Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, the 10 high-threat illegal aliens who recently arrived are being housed in vacant detention facilities. They are not being held alongside war on terror detainees who also reside at the installation. 

Nov. 7, 2024

Austin Highlights Critical Role of Partnerships at Southcom Change of Command

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored the power of U.S. partnerships in bolstering shared values throughout the Western Hemisphere as he presided over Southcom's change of command ceremony at the combatant command's headquarters in Doral, Fla.

May 24, 2024

Austin Welcomes Kenya's President to Pentagon Amid Long Strides in Defense Ties

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the close ties between the U.S. and Kenya while meeting with Kenyan President William S. Ruto.

March 16, 2023

DOD Integral in Western Hemisphere Combating Climate Change

While the Western Hemisphere is a vast area with many different peoples, environments, cultures, resources and concerns, all have one overarching concern: climate change, Daniel P. Erikson, the Defense Department's point man for the region, said.

Sept. 23, 2022

Austin pledges to 'ease the load' for service members 

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department laid out an array of efforts — some already underway and some on the horizon — that address the needs of married service members and their families, as well as single service members.

Aug. 5, 2022

Austin Launches New Round of Discussions With Hemispheric Partners

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III enjoyed the opportunity to meet with fellow hemispheric security leaders at the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas. 

July 26, 2022

Austin Emphasizes Common Values, Beliefs With Hemispheric Partners

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III called for greater cooperation and coordination among Western Hemisphere nations, as he addressed the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas in Brazil.