U.S. Marine Corps General Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), met with President Daniel Noboa and senior Ecuadorian defense officials on March 2 in Quito, Ecuador, to discuss security cooperation and reaffirm the United States’ strong commitment to supporting the nation’s efforts to confront narco-terrorism and strengthen [ … ]
China has modified its approach in Latin America, adopting a less visible but more structural strategy of influence. This new direction focuses on specific investments in strategic sectors such as telecommunications, energy, and technology. This change not only redefines traditional methods of external influence but also raises profound questions about [ … ]
Cocaine production has surged to unprecedented levels across Latin America, fueled by a simultaneous expansion of illicit crops in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. This phenomenon is further exacerbated by the expansion of complex transnational trafficking corridors that facilitate the movement of narcotics across the hemisphere. This escalating output has empowered [ … ]
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 [ … ]
December 2025 will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the modernization of the Argentine Armed Forces. In the span of just 48 hours, the country simultaneously restored its supersonic air capabilities and introduced a new generation of armored vehicles to its ground forces, signaling a decisive shift toward NATO-standard [ … ]
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 [ … ]
China has emerged as a critical partner for Ecuador’s main criminal organizations in the illicit exploitation of natural resources, establishing a partnership that threatens not only the environment but also the security of the nation and the region. These Ecuadorian designated terrorist groups, most notably Los Lobos and Los Choneros, [ … ]
The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the U.S. Air Force officially launched the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 mission during an opening ceremony in Basseterre, Saint Kitts, on February 22. The two-week long mission will allow 60 airmen, including biomedical equipment technicians, audiologists, dentists, dieticians, and [ … ]
Main criminal syndicates operating across Latin America are demonstrating an unprecedented ability to adapt their logistics and transit routes to reach markets in the United States and Europe. Depending on operational needs, these groups are bypassing major maritime hubs in favor of isolated landing points, using semi-submersibles, or conducting high-seas [ … ]
In southern Venezuela, strategic minerals known as “black sands”— including coltan, niobium, and tin — are being plundered to feed supply chains destined for China. This process is orchestrated through a sophisticated scheme of illicit extraction and cross-border laundering that effectively weaponizes Venezuela’s resource wealth for China’s strategic gain. According [ … ]
The Dominican Republic continues to increase counternarcotics operations success, playing an instrumental role as a regional leader in dismantling transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and fighting narcoterrorism within the Caribbean. Throughout the past year, the nation executed a series of highly effective and historically unprecedented operations targeting narcotics trafficking, money laundering, [ … ]
The landscape of organized crime in Trinidad and Tobago took a decisive turn in 2025, as the nation launched an aggressive, technology-driven offensive against transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). In this renewed effort, a high-stakes partnership with the United States was further consolidated as a fundamental pillar for achieving unprecedented results [ … ]
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