World · Latin America · 8 hrs ago
US Sends 600 Soldiers to Latin America for Anti-Drug Operations
The United States is deploying about 600 soldiers to Latin America as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign against drug trafficking.
The troops belong to the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York.
They are expected to take part in exercises in Panama, Colombia and Honduras, with the first soldiers already sent to a jungle training site in Panama.
Some may support US special operations teams and local forces during actions against people suspected of trafficking drugs.
Hundreds more US soldiers are expected to join a new Western Hemisphere command based in Miami.
The deployment follows other steps in the regional campaign, including the transfer of MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa to Colombia and Ecuador.
The prospect of US military operations on land has raised concerns about national sovereignty, and the sources say hundreds more soldiers are expected to contribute to the Miami command in the coming months.
The United States is sending about 600 soldiers from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division to Latin America as part of an expanded anti-drug campaign.
The troops are expected to take part in exercises with local forces in Panama, Colombia and Honduras.
Some may support US Special Operations forces in operations against people suspected of drug trafficking.
Hundreds more soldiers are expected to join a new Western Hemisphere operations command based in Miami.
The deployment has raised concerns about US military expansion and national sovereignty in the region.
- Who
- About 600 US soldiers from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division.
- What
- The troops are being sent to Latin America for military exercises and may support operations against suspected drug traffickers.
- When
- The deployment was reported on October 14 and 15, 2026.
- Where
- The troops are expected to operate in Panama, Colombia and Honduras, with an initial group sent to a training facility in Panama.
- Why
- The US government says the deployment supports its campaign against drug trafficking.
US government
Critics of US military expansion
Purpose
US government
The deployment is part of a campaign against drug trafficking and includes exercises with local forces.
Critics of US military expansion
Critics warn that the expanding US military presence could threaten national sovereignty and serve broader US interests.
Operations
US government
Some troops may support operations against suspected drug traffickers.
Critics of US military expansion
Critics raise concerns about possible US military operations on Latin American territory.
The US Southern Command announced the creation of the Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force to expand military cooperation with regional allies against drugs.
Members of the Shield of the Americas announced coordinated measures against 24 criminal organizations.
CNN Brasil reported that the United States was sending hundreds of soldiers to Latin America, citing The New York Times.
VEJA and ICL Notícias published reports about the deployment of 600 soldiers.
- Deployment
- About 600 soldiers
- Unit
- US Army 10th Mountain Division
- Home base
- Fort Drum, New York
- Initial destination
- A jungle training facility in Panama
- Planned exercise countries
- Panama, Colombia and Honduras
- Additional command
- Western Hemisphere operations command based in Miami
3 sources
What people are saying
safeguarding access to critical minerals in the region