Nicolás Maduro and his cronies remain in control in Venezuela despite intense diplomatic pressure to move to a democratic transition, economic sanctions, and international recognition of Juan Guaidó as the acting president of Venezuela since January 23, 2019. The Maduro regime oppresses the population, destroyed the legitimate economy, engages in massive corruption, and increasingly depends on the illicit economy to survive. Hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, insecurity and economic ruin have created a humanitarian crisis that has forced over five million Venezuelans to flee the country. The United Nations estimates that 90 percent of Venezuelans are living in poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the human tragedy in Venezuela, once the richest country in South America.
Special Report


Hemispheric Security Conference Discusses Women, Peace, and Security
Ambassador Jean Manes, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) civilian deputy to the commander and foreign policy adviser, led a discussion on “Women, Peace, and Security in the Hemisphere" during Florida International University’s (FIU) fifth annual Hemispheric Security Conference (HSC) on May 19. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Cristina Rodriguez-Acosta, assistant director for Institutional Relations at FIU’s Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy.

The Brazilian Contribution During World War II
May 8, 2020, marked the 75th year since V-E Day, the Allied victory in Europe, during World War II. On this anniversary we pay tribute to Brazilian efforts in defeating evil and restoring peace, as we cannot overlook the importance of military bonds of comradery.

US Charges Maduro with Drug Trafficking, Offers $15 Million Reward for Information Leading to His Capture
The United States announced a $15 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro on drug-trafficking charges, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on March 26.

The Sources of the People’s Republic of China’s Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean
The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) worldview and quest for domestic and international hegemony threaten to reverse Latin American and Caribbean’s democratic and market-based economic principles that have facilitated regional stability for nearly 30 years.

USCAP Helps Rebuild a Safer Region
The United States-Colombia Action Plan is one of the farthest-reaching programs the United States promotes, with the support of Colombia.

Holistic Strengthening of Partnership
In the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment in which we live today, partnerships become the most important operational approach to face global and regional challenges. Threats to our regional security and prosperity are not delineated by physical borders; they operate across multi-domains (land, maritime, air, space, and cyberspace) within the Western Hemisphere and globally.

China Does Not Want a Democratic-Dominated World Order
Latin American and Caribbean countries should force China to follow the rule of law to preserve the integrity of its institutions.

JIATF South: Hub for International Cooperation on Drug Interdiction
Bigfoot, a 53-foot, self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) traveled full speed on the Eastern Pacific waters. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Steadfast interdicted it off the west coast of Costa Rica in November 2006 and found 4.1 tons of cocaine. The Costa Rican Coast Guard towed the vessel into port and later transported it to the U.S. as evidence. Two Colombians, one Guatemalan, and one Sri Lankan were also taken into custody and sent to the U.S. to face prosecution.

Supporting Enduring Partnerships: The SPP Model
Along the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, units of the Panamanian Public Forces conducted an operation in response to a mock terrorist threat in early July 2019. Exercise PANAMAX Alpha, coordinated with the Missouri National Guard (MONG), sought to strengthen Panamanian security forces’ crisis response to protect the crucial trade route.