The U.S. military is expected to move most of its MQ-9 "Reaper" drones out of Africa and into U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which oversees Latin America, according to six sources who spoke with CNN. The Pentagon declined to comment. The shift comes as the Trump administration ramps up counternarcotics and counterterrorism plans in South America, including potential operations in Ecuador. One source said discussions are still underway about sending some drones to the Middle East instead, where the US has lost MQ-9s in strikes against Iran. Some sources voiced concern that pulling drones from Africa could hurt ongoing operations against ISIS and al Shabaab there. The move follows a classified DOJ legal opinion, previously reported by CNN, authorizing lethal strikes against a secret list of cartels. Colombia has separately arranged to borrow three MQ-9A drones from the US, and Panama just received over six million dollars in drone systems for border surveillance. Source:

The US military is expected to send MQ-9 Reaper drones operating over Africa to the US command responsible for South America, six sources familiar with the planning told CNN, part of a wave of military equipment that has moved to the region as US officials trumpet military partnerships for anticipated counternarcotics and counterterror operations.

We’re proud to be in New Delhi, India, participating in the 2nd India-U.S. Drug Policy Framework Executive Working Group Meeting. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮–𝗨𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 @dg_ncb @USAndIndia @narcoticsbureau

One year ago today, Donald Trump began an unauthorized campaign of lethal military strikes on alleged drug boats. More than 200 people are now dead. The administration still has not provided evidence to justify these extrajudicial killings. America needs a serious counter-narcotics strategy that targets drugs like fentanyl, disrupts drug trafficking and reduces demand in our communities. Pete Hegseth will be held accountable for these lawless boat bombings.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth floated the possibility of joint strikes on Colombian armed groups, as he welcomed the nation into a military-led counter-narcotics coalition after its conservative president took over last week

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, hosted the 2nd India–U.S. Drug Policy Executive Working Group Meeting on November 2-3, 2026 in New Delhi. India and United States reaffirmed commitment to strengthen bilateral counter-narcotics cooperation. (Pics: NCB)