Western Hemisphere

The U.S. military has retired the Joint Task Force-Southern Spear, a joint operation targeting drug-carrying vessels from Central and South America, and replaced it with a new command structure for the Western Hemisphere. The transition took effect at midnight on Monday.

The Trump administration has informed Congress of its plan to close five smaller U.S. diplomatic missions in Africa, Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. These closures involve consulates and other diplomatic facilities.

The Trump administration plans to increase funding by hundreds of millions of dollars to counter China's global influence, including $175.8 million for undersea telecommunications cable upgrades in the Caribbean and Central America. The State Department also considers nearly half a billion dollars more for programs across the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and Asia to counter Chinese economic and technological activities.

The U.S. military remains extremely active in and around Latin America. This activity is highlighted in the context of the Western Hemisphere.

Gen. Frank Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, discusses the establishment of a new Autonomous Warfare Command designed to move autonomous systems and drones beyond tactical testing toward strategic military operations. The command aims to disrupt cartel networks designated as terrorist organizations, strengthen regional alliances, and enhance decision-making capabilities across the Western Hemisphere.

President Trump has signed a new US counterterrorism strategy prioritizing the elimination of drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere. The strategy marks a significant shift in focus for the administration. This move aims to tackle the root causes of terrorism and instability in the region.

President Trump has signed a new US counterterrorism strategy prioritizing the elimination of drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere. This strategy marks a significant shift in focus for the administration's counterterrorism efforts. The move aims to tackle the root causes of terrorism by targeting major drug cartels.

The Trump administration captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January following military buildup in the Caribbean, then shifted focus toward regime change in Cuba. After U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran began in late February, some military assets and attention were redirected from Western Hemisphere operations to the Middle East.

The Trump administration expanded its visa restriction policy in the Western Hemisphere, targeting individuals working for U.S. adversaries to undermine regional security and American interests. The policy restricts visas for 26 individuals and their families, including those enabling adversarial powers to control strategic assets or destabilize the region.

The Trump administration expanded its visa restriction policy in the Western Hemisphere, targeting individuals and their families working on behalf of U.S. adversaries to undermine American interests. The policy includes restricting visas for 26 identified individuals engaged in destabilizing activities, economic threats, and influence operations.

The Trump administration announced visa restrictions against 26 individuals across the Western Hemisphere accused of undermining U.S. interests. The U.S. State Department cited support for adversaries as the reason for the action.

The FBI's Transnational Organized Crime-Western Hemisphere Operations Unit and the U.S. Department of Defense have launched a joint training program to combat cartel violence by enlisting and equipping international partners. This initiative aims to directly confront violent cartels in their regions of operation.