News

The U.S. Air Force Academy’s parachute team, Wings of Blue, represented the team’s core values on a different continent during the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) 2026 in Santiago, Chile, April 7-12. The primary mission of the Wings of Blue, which falls under the 98th Flying Training Squadron, is [ … ]

Chinese mining companies are steadily expanding their presence in Latin America, acquiring major mineral assets across the region and consolidating their position in the gold sector. As global competition for natural resources intensifies and gold prices remain elevated, Chinese state-linked mining groups are accelerating efforts to secure control over significant [ … ]

Military and security leaders from across the region convened in Antigua and Barbuda March 16-20, 2026, for the final planning conference of Tradewinds 26 (TW26), a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)-sponsored exercise. The meeting brought together participating nations and partner organizations to coordinate scenarios, align objectives, and finalize preparations for the [ … ]

The recruitment of minors by armed gangs in Haiti has evolved into a key mechanism for sustaining territorial control and operational capacity. A February report by the United Nations (U.N.) indicates that this practice not only reinforces gangs’ presence in contested areas but also complicates security operations and weakens already [ … ]

Paraguay is intensifying its fight against transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) through a strategy that emphasizes cross-border coordination, interagency cooperation, and sustained security operations in key frontier regions. At the center of this effort is Operation Escudo Guaraní, a large-scale, ongoing deployment with no fixed end date, mobilizing thousands of military [ … ]

U.S. and Chilean Air Force (FACh) crews demonstrated advanced interoperability April 4, 2026, executing the first-ever Chilean KC-135 Stratotanker air-to-air refueling of two U.S. F-35A Lightning II aircraft — marking a significant step forward in bilateral airpower integration. The mission, conducted en route to International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) [ … ]

China’s foreign policy toward the Global South increasingly uses space cooperation as a strategic tool to expand technological influence and geopolitical presence. Through bilateral agreements, Beijing offers satellite design, construction, launch, and operational services, along with technical training for regional countries. the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) notes [ … ]

Health care professionals from Suriname and the U.S. Air Force are working side by side as part of the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 mission, a health security cooperation event focused on strengthening partnerships and delivering critical care across the region. The late April mission in Suriname integrates [ … ]

Recent operations against transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) — including maritime drug seizures in the Pacific Ocean and the arrests of alleged members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) — highlight growing operational coordination between Mexico and the United States in confronting organized crime [ … ]

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), working in a supporting role to Panamanian authorities, has completed an initial technical assessment of the Bridge of the Americas. This preliminary review identified no critical findings in the immediate area affected by the fire, and a comprehensive report is being finalized [ … ]

Chinese technology company ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, plans to build its first data center in Latin America in Brazil — a project drawing increasing scrutiny from security experts concerned about China’s expanding influence over strategic digital infrastructure in the region. The facility is planned for the Pecém port complex in [ … ]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is working alongside Panamanian agencies to assess the Bridge of the Americas following a tanker explosion, reinforcing a shared commitment to public safety and infrastructure resilience. The incident prompted an immediate, coordinated response from the Panamanian government and the U.S. Embassy to evaluate [ … ]