The U.S. military is sending several hundred Army soldiers to Latin America for training and joint exercises, marking a move by the Trump administration to intensify its efforts against drug trafficking networks. This deployment involves troops from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, stationed at Fort Drum in New York. Reports indicate that the initial group of around 600 soldiers is set to head to Panama.
A senior official from the U.S. confirmed that these troops are being prepped under the auspices of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which will ultimately decide their specific deployment locations. The initial training is planned at a new jungle facility in Panama, transitioning later to collaborations with local forces in Colombia and Honduras.
Additionally, these soldiers may assist U.S. special operations forces who are providing guidance to local troops engaged in operations against alleged drug traffickers. At the same time, there’s another group from the 10th Mountain Division expected to support a new military command based in Miami.
This deployment aligns with ongoing Pentagon operations that target suspected drug traffickers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Since the campaign commenced over a year ago, U.S. forces have conducted numerous strikes, resulting in the deaths of more than 235 individuals.
Gen. Francis Donovan, commander of SOUTHCOM, mentioned that the military is exploring options for ground operations against trafficking networks. He indicated, perhaps somewhat cautiously, that various approaches, including strikes and arrests, are being considered. “We want all options at the table,” he stated during an interview.
Donovan further explained that creating “total systemic friction” for the cartels is a crucial goal. The Trump administration is also engaging with allied nations to facilitate expanded military operations against trafficking organizations in several Latin American countries.
During a visit to Panama in August, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth noted that countries like Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras had accepted U.S. involvement in military operations against criminal organizations within their territories, although Guatemala later refuted such an agreement.
