US Expands Military Operations Across Latin America with New Joint Task Force
The United States has launched Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM), taking over from Joint Task Force-Southern Spear to enhance military efforts in Latin America. This initiative, revealed by SOUTHCOM commander Francis Donovan, seeks to "secure the region and defeat all threats" in collaboration with the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, which includes 18 countries. This development follows 63 operations against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, resulting in 221 fatalities over 11 months, which have been condemned as extrajudicial killings. The expansion aligns with the 'Donroe Doctrine' outlined in the 2025 National Security Strategy, aimed at reinforcing US influence while sidelining China, Russia, and Iran. Tensions with Brazil have intensified, and the US has garnered over $13 billion from Venezuelan oil transactions.
Key facts
- Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) replaces Joint Task Force-Southern Spear.
- SOUTHCOM commander Francis Donovan announced the new task force.
- The task force will operate with the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, involving 18 other nations.
- The US conducted 63 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
- 221 people were killed in the boat strikes over an 11-month period.
- The Washington Office on Latin America documented the strikes as extrajudicial killings.
- The Donroe Doctrine is outlined in the 2025 National Security Strategy.
- The US has collected over $13 billion from Venezuelan oil sales.
- The CIA has established a task force for Cuba.
- Brazil's ambassador to Washington had her visa revoked by the US.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is involved in Latin America strategy.
- The US is pressuring Guatemala and Honduras to accept joint strikes.
- The policy aims to exclude China, Russia, and Iran from the region.
- The US has been accused of looting Venezuelan resources.
- The expansion has been criticized as 'brazen thuggery' by Jeffrey Sachs.
Entities
Institutions
- US Southern Command
- Joint Task Force-Southern Spear
- Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere
- Americas Counter Cartel Coalition
- Washington Office on Latin America
- Center for Economic Policy Research
- New York Times
- Washington Post
- Wall Street Journal
- BBC
- The Guardian
- Defensa.com
- Financial Times
- El País
- London Review of Books
- CIA
- DEA
- DHS
- FBI
- World Bank
- BRICS
- RT_India
- Venezuelanalysis
- Kawsachun News
Locations
- United States
- Washington, D.C.
- Caribbean
- Eastern Pacific
- Latin America
- Ecuador
- Venezuela
- Cuba
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Mexico
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Peru
- Bolivia
- Manta
- Brasilia
- Rio de Janeiro
- Villa Clara
- China
- Russia
- Iran