Hundreds Of Troops Head To Latin America To Deal With Drug Traffickers

Hundreds of U.S. soldiers are heading to Latin America as part of an expanded military campaign against drug traffickers, according to reports. The Pentagon is deploying troops from the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, New York, to conduct training exercises and potentially support military advisory roles in the region. Initial reports suggest that around 600 soldiers are involved in the deployment, though the U.S. Embassy in Panama disputes these figures, stating that only 120 soldiers are participating in a two-week training program in the country before returning to their units. The deployment comes amid increased U.S. efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region, following calls from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to intensify cooperation with regional allies through the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition. Hegseth described the coalition's mission as targeting "bad people" during a meeting in Panama in August. According to The New York Times, the 10th Mountain Division is also expected to send several hundred soldiers to Miami to staff a command overseeing Western Hemisphere operations. This expansion aligns with recent Pentagon actions, which have included dozens of strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific over the past year. General Francis L. Donovan, who heads U.S. Southern Command, stated that land strikes remain an option in the fight against cartel operations. However, he emphasized that the military is considering a range of strategies, including law enforcement actions such as arrests and the dismantling of safe houses. These measures could also involve enhancing border security practices, such as using cargo scanners at checkpoints. The U.S. military has already participated in joint operations with regional partners. In September, U.S. troops collaborated with Ecuadorian forces to dismantle a cell of Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) members operating in Ecuador. Officials at the time indicated that the CJNG members were facilitating the flow of drugs from other countries into Mexico and onward to the United States. Despite these efforts, some countries in the region remain hesitant to fully engage with the U.S.-led initiatives. Mexico, a major hub for cartel activity, has resisted the presence of U.S. troops within its borders, citing concerns about national sovereignty. President Claudia Sheinbaum has refused to allow U.S. forces into Mexico, although her administration has coordinated intelligence-sharing with U.S. authorities and allowed Mexican troops to conduct raids against cartel-linked groups. Tensions persist between the U.S. and Mexico, particularly regarding Mexico's reluctance to target cartel-connected individuals with political ties to the ruling Morena party. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Sinaloa’s governor, Ruben Rocha Moya, on drug trafficking and weapons charges. Despite this, the Mexican government has defended Rocha Moya, asserting that the U.S. has not provided sufficient evidence of wrongdoing by the Morena politician. The U.S. military's expanded role in Latin America reflects a broader strategy to address the growing threat posed by transnational drug cartels. As the situation evolves, the effectiveness of these new measures in disrupting cartel activities will become clearer.