US Southern Command Plans for Latin America

How US Southern Command Plans To Influence Latin America

The US Southern Command (Southcom) recently released its 2023 posture statement, which outlines its strategic objectives, challenges and opportunities in Latin America.

According to Admiral Craig Faller, Southcom’s commander since 2018, his command’s mission is "to defend our nation by strengthening partnerships that advance security interests throughout our hemisphere."

Countering threats

One of Southcom’s top priorities is countering transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), which pose significant risks to regional stability and security. TCOs are involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, illegal mining, money laundering and other illicit activities that undermine governance, democracy and human rights.

Southcom works closely with its partner nations to disrupt TCOs’ networks, seize their assets and prosecute their leaders. For example, in 2022 Southcom supported Operation Orion VII, a multinational effort that resulted in more than 800 arrests and over 100 tons of cocaine seized across nine countries.

Another threat that Southcom faces is China’s growing influence in Latin America. China has been expanding its economic, military and diplomatic ties with many countries in the region, offering loans, investments, infrastructure projects and COVID-19 vaccines.

However, Southcom warns that China’s engagement comes with hidden costs and strings attached, such as debt traps, environmental damage, human rights violations, cyber espionage, corruption and military coercion. Southcom aims to counter China’s malign activities by exposing them, offering alternatives and strengthening cooperation with like-minded partners.

Strengthening partnerships

Another key aspect of Southcom’s strategy is strengthening partnerships with its allies and partners in Latin America. Southcom recognizes that it cannot achieve its goals alone and that it needs to build trust and mutual respect with its counterparts.

To this end, Southcom engages in regular consultations and exercises with its partner nations to enhance interoperability, information sharing and coordination. Some examples of these activities are:

• The Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas (CDMA), which is a multilateral forum for dialogue and cooperation on defense and security issues in the hemisphere. The latest CDMA was held in Brazil in July 2022, where Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed US commitment to defend democracy and human rights in the region.
• The Tradewinds exercise, which is an annual training event that enhances regional security cooperation and interoperability among partner nations. In 2022, Tradewinds involved more than 20 countries and focused on maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
• The New Horizons exercise, which is a humanitarian civil assistance program that provides medical and dental care, engineering support and veterinary services to communities in need. In 2022, New Horizons took place in Honduras and benefited more than 50,000 people.

Building partner capacity

A third line of effort for Southcom is building partner capacity, which means helping its allies and partners improve their own defense and security capabilities. Southcom believes that by strengthening its partners’ institutions, forces and systems, it can enhance regional stability and resilience.

To this end, Southcom provides various forms of assistance and support to its partner nations, such as:

• Education and training programs, such as the International Military Education and Training (IMET), which offers professional development courses and exchanges for military personnel.
• Security cooperation programs, such as the Foreign Military Financing (FMF), which provides grants or loans for purchasing US defense equipment or services.
• Security assistance programs, such as the Counter-Narcotics Program (CNP), which funds counter-drug operations or initiatives.

Supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

A fourth line of effort for Southcom is supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) operations in Latin America. Southcom recognizes that natural disasters and humanitarian crises are frequent occurrences in the region, which can have devastating impacts on people’s lives and livelihoods.

To mitigate these impacts, Southcom deploys its assets and personnel to provide rapid response and support to its partner nations in times of need. Some examples of these operations are:

• Operation Allies Welcome, which assisted with the relocation of Afghan refugees to the US or third countries.
• Operation Southern Cross, which delivered COVID-19 vaccines and supplies to several countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
• Operation Unified Assistance, which provided humanitarian aid and airlift support to Haiti after a powerful earthquake and a tropical storm struck the country in August 2022.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Southcom’s posture statement for 2023 reveals its vision, priorities and challenges for engaging with Latin America. Southcom seeks to defend US national interests by countering threats, strengthening partnerships, building partner capacity and supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the region. Southcom also recognizes the importance of working with its allies and partners to address common challenges and opportunities, such as China’s influence, COVID-19 recovery and climate change. Southcom’s posture statement reflects its commitment to advancing security, stability and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere.

Summary: This article analyzes how the US Southern Command (Southcom) plans to influence Latin America in 2023 based on its latest posture statement. It covers Southcom’s four main lines of effort: countering threats; strengthening partnerships; building partner capacity; and supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. It also discusses some of the challenges and opportunities that Southcom faces in the region, such as China’s influence, COVID-19 recovery andclimate change. The article concludes that Southcom seeks to defend US national interests by cooperating with its allies and partners in Latin America.