The Pentagon is expanding its counter-drug campaign in Latin America by deploying Army troops for training and support roles, according to a report by The New York Times. U.S. military officials indicated that soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, have begun deploying in Panama for jungle training. This initial group consists of a battalion of approximately 600 soldiers, with additional training planned in Colombia and Honduras.
The U.S. Embassy in Panama disputed reports of 600 troops deploying, stating that only 120 soldiers from the division are participating in a two-week training course and will return to their home units afterward. This discrepancy raises questions about the relationship between the current training group and the broader deployment mentioned in the Times.
In addition to training exercises, the report suggests that some soldiers may be tasked with guarding American helicopters or assisting U.S. Special Operations personnel during operations with local militaries, which conduct raids against suspected drug traffickers. However, it is unclear if the newly deployed soldiers will participate in these raids.
The division is also expected to send several hundred soldiers to Miami to support a command overseeing Western Hemisphere operations. This increase in military presence aligns with Washington’s initiative for regional governments to enhance their operations against drug cartels and improve collaboration with U.S. forces.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has advocated for this initiative through the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition. At an August meeting in Panama, he articulated the coalition's motto: "We do bad things to bad people."
The Pentagon has conducted numerous strikes over the past year against vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific that were allegedly transporting drugs. Gen. Francis L. Donovan, who leads U.S. Southern Command, mentioned in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal that land strikes are among the options being considered to disrupt cartel operations. He noted, "Do I see land strikes as options? Yes. We want all options at the table." Donovan also referenced potential measures involving law enforcement and border security, which could include strikes, arrests, or increased use of cargo scanners at border checkpoints.