Get the latest security and defense stories from across the Americas.
China has intensified economic, diplomatic, and trade pressure on Panama following the annulment of a key port contract, in a case that reflects a recurring approach Beijing has used to respond when governments take decisions that run counter to its interests. The dispute over port operations on the Panama Canal has triggered a series of moves involving Chinese state-linked firms,…
In the past few years, cooperation between El Salvador and the United has evolved into a sophisticated, high-tech alliance that has become a fundamental pillar for strengthening security in the region. Through technical exchanges, joint programs, and the integration of state-of-the-art technology, both nations have coordinated efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) while strengthening institutional capacities. Strategic pillar against…
A team of U.S. service members conducted a five-day humanitarian mission to Bocas del Toro, March 22–25, delivering essential medical services to residents in remote and underserved communities across the Panamanian island province. “Bocas del Toro was selected at the request of the Ministry of Health, which identified a gap in access to medical care in the region,” said U.S.…
Multinational exercise CENTAM Guardian 2026, co-sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and El Salvador’s Ministry of Defense, will convene Central American armed forces in mid-April. The exercise underscores that interoperability is not merely a military concept, but a strategic imperative linking national security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response into a unified regional framework. The 2026 iteration builds on lessons from…
Under the leadership of Minister of Public Security Frank Ábrego, Panama has strengthened its role as a key partner in regional security. The country has intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking, curb irregular migration through the Darién region, and safeguard strategic infrastructure such as the Panama Canal. These efforts have been supported by close collaboration with the United States and…
Costa Rica and El Salvador have agreed to a bilateral security cooperation initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal networks and securing the future of Central America. This partnership, anchored by the Shield of the Americas (Escudo de las Américas) agreement, serves as a cornerstone for a safer, more integrated region. The agreement, signed in December 2025, is designed to synchronize…
At the inaugural Americas Counter-Cartel Conference held on March 5 at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters in Doral, Florida, military and security leaders from across the hemisphere delivered a blunt message to cartel networks: The region is prepared to confront them together. “This is not a conference with flags so we can pat ourselves on the back,” U.S. Secretary of…
Costa Rican authorities are on high alert following the exposure of the South Caribbean Cartel, the first local group to be officially recognized as a transnational criminal organization. This discovery is driving a decisive shift in the nation’s security policy as the government moves to dismantle the infrastructure of organized crime. The investigation reached a critical milestone on November 4,…
U.S. Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion (2nd CEB) conducted bilateral training alongside Panamanian security forces during Panamanian Partnership 26-3A, January 10-February 26. The purpose of the partnership and training was to reinforce readiness and interoperability through combined training in dense jungle terrain and austere range environments. The 45-day training featured four different courses hosted by 2nd CEB alongside the…
In a continued effort to bolster regional health security, Civil Affairs Team (CAT) 4361 — assigned to Army Forces Battalion, Joint Task Force-Bravo — and U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Humanitarian Assistance Program partnered with the Guatemalan Ministry of Health to deliver a significant equipment donation on January 28, 2026. The donation, valued at more than $250,000, provides the city of…
In a powerful demonstration of shared commitment to regional security, Costa Rican and United States forces successfully executed Operation Blue Marlin, a joint maritime counternarcotics initiative, throughout January 2026. This mission served as a vital pillar of a broader international effort to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating throughout the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific corridors. Operation Blue Marlin represents the latest…
As the latest iteration of the Jungle Operations Training Course-Panama (JOTC-P) nears its final phase at the Cristóbal Colón Aeronaval Base, the program is setting new benchmarks for multinational interoperability. Running from February 3-20, this 18-day program represents a robust exchange between U.S. and Panamanian forces, since the program revitalization in August 2025. Coordinated by the Joint Security Cooperation Group-Panama,…
