U.S. Troop Deployment to Latin America for Anti-Drug Operations
The U.S. military is deploying several hundred Army soldiers to Latin America. This initiative aims to conduct training and joint exercises with regional forces. The deployment is part of the Trump administration’s campaign against drug-trafficking networks, confirmed by Fox News.
Soldiers from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, New York, are involved. The first troops from the approximately 600-soldier battalion are slated to deploy to Panama. The New York Times initially reported this news.
A senior U.S. official confirmed the troops are staged under U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which will ultimately decide their deployment locations. Initially, these forces will head to a new jungle training facility in Panama. Later, they will train alongside local forces in Colombia and Honduras.
Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan testifies during a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 15, 2026. (Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)
Additionally, the troops might support U.S. special operations personnel. These personnel currently advise local militaries conducting raids against suspected drug traffickers.
Separately, several hundred soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division will assist a new Western Hemisphere military command based in Miami. This deployment aligns with ongoing Pentagon operations targeting suspected traffickers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
In recent activity, the U.S. military conducted a strike against a suspected narcotics-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, resulting in four fatalities.
“Do I see land strikes as options? Yes. We want all options at the table,” Gen. Francis Donovan said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
SOUTHCOM has directed the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) and USS Billings (LCS 15) to Venezuela. This action supports State Department-led relief efforts in Venezuela.
U.S. forces have carried out numerous strikes since the campaign started over a year ago, leading to the deaths of over 235 individuals. Gen. Francis Donovan of SOUTHCOM earlier indicated potential operations against land-based trafficking networks.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth introduced Operation Southern Spear. This initiative aims to dismantle narco-terror networks across Latin America.
Donovan mentioned the objective of generating “total systemic friction” for cartels. The Trump administration has negotiated agreements with allied nations to expand military operations against trafficking networks on land in various Latin American countries.
During a visit to Panama, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras had agreed to permit joint military operations against criminal groups within their borders. However, Guatemala denied reaching such an agreement.