On October 13, Costa Rica's National Coast Guard Service intercepted a vessel with 1.3 metric tons of cocaine, 140 nautical miles off the coast of the Southern Pacific, with the support of regional partners.  The new era of security cooperation between partner countries of the Shield of the Americas and the Coalition of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) continues to deliver results and makes our hemisphere a safer place. @StateINL @DEAHQ #ÉxitosEnSeguridad#

On October 27, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM#, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere executed a lethal, kinetic strike on a go-fast vessel operating along established narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific. Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking. The operation killed five narco-terrorists. @DeptofWar @SecWar

A historic moment for @usembassyve. The @StateDept and the @USMC maintain a historic alliance to ensure the security of our diplomatic facilities around the world. Watch highlights of the official reactivation ceremony of the Marine Corps Security Detachment at the Embassy led by Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith. @MSG_Duty

Small Arms Qualifications: A look at U.S. Navy Sailors honing their skills with M18 9mm pistols, M4 carbines and pump-action shotguns at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The naval station is a vital operational and logistical hub that supports U.S. military efforts to counter threats that undermine security, stability and democracy in the Western Hemisphere. @DeptofWar @USNavy

Last Thursday I visited the Marines & Sailors of LCF-24, @The24MEU deployed in support of @Southcom. This is an expeditionary force in readiness: forward, integrated with the Joint Force, & prepared to respond. I was proud to recognize several Marines for superior performance.

Another trafficking run shut down through coordinated regional action. 🚨 A U.S. Government Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) detected a go-fast vessel and notified Costa Rica, @seguridadcrc, and regional partners. A Costa Rican interceptor was vectored toward the contact, and the MPA handed off tracking to a CBP, @CBP, aircraft before returning to base. The CBP aircraft later handed the contact off to a follow on U.S. Government MPA. Additional partner nation maritime and interceptor assets later reacquired the vessel and gained positive control. 3 persons on board detained. 76 bales seized. Later confirmed: 1,804 kilograms. 📦🚫 @jiatfs detection and monitoring efforts support @DeptofWar directed, @Southcom led operations to detect, disrupt, and dismantle narco-terrorist networks across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific degrading their illicit operations and protecting the homeland. #CounterNarcotics# #MaritimeSecurity# #Interdiction# #DrugSeizure# #EasternPacific#

A @USArmy Soldier assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo, 1-228th Aviation Regiment, guides a pallet of relief supplies onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter for delivery to Panamanian communities affected by the earthquake in Panama at Aeropuerto Internacional de Panamá Pacífico, Panama, Oct. 12, 2026. In response to a request from the Panamanian government, the @DeptofWar supported @StateDept-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Panama in the aftermath of the Oct. 9, 2026, earthquake. @USEmbPAN @WHAAsstSecty @SecWar @USForeignAssist @USAenEspanol

Supporting U.S. assistance efforts in Panama: U.S. military service members transported Los Angeles County Fire Department search and rescue teams to support critical earthquake relief operations. In response to a request from the Panamanian government, the @DeptofWar is supporting @StateDept-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Panama in the aftermath of the Oct. 9, 2026, earthquake. @USEmbPAN @WHAAsstSecty @SecWar @USForeignAssist @USAenEspanol

Panama earthquake relief: A U.S. Marine with Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, loads water to help people who were affected by an earthquake at Aeropuerto Internacional de Panamá Pacífico, Panama, Oct. 11, 2026. In response to a request from the Panamanian government, the @DeptofWar is supporting @StateDept-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Panama in the aftermath of the Oct. 9, 2026, earthquake. @USEmbPAN @WHAAsstSecty @SecWar @USForeignAssist @USAenEspanol

The United States continues earthquake relief efforts alongside Panamanian emergency teams. 🇺🇸🇵🇦 @Southcom, @Aeronavalpanama and @Sinaproc_panama loaded emergency supplies onto a CH-47 Chinook at Panamá Pacífico International Airport on Tuesday for distribution to affected communities. American leadership in action, demonstrating the strength of U.S.–Panama cooperation when it matters most.

Defending national sovereignty and protecting citizens: “In the Western Hemisphere, narco-terrorists’ complete lack of respect for humanity, authority, or sovereignty represents one of the greatest threats to our people and our communities. Peru and 18 regional nations formed the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition to take decisive action against these narco-terrorists—a coalition committed to ending their terror, violence, and corruption. Peru brings extensive experience in countering narco-terrorists to the coalition. As we work to dismantle these Hemispheric Threat Networks, Peru’s expertise will strengthen joint efforts to enhance regional security, while the coalition’s combined capabilities will bolster Peru’s efforts to protect its citizens and safeguard its sovereignty.” — #SOUTHCOM# Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan #A3C# @USEMBASSYPERU @MindefPeru @CCFFAA_PERU @DeptofWar @WHAAsstSecty @USAenEspanol @USAmbPeru

Today, we flew over Iquitos with @Southcom Gen. Donovan, @MindefPeru, and @ccffaa_peru. Three key points: 1. Drug traffickers operate across borders. Let them know we are working TOGETHER. 2. In Loreto, the VRAEM, and throughout Peru, ONLY Peru should be in charge. No one wants territories controlled by ruthless criminal groups. 3. The U.S. stands ready to support Peru. Watch out, criminals!

A U.S. Marine with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Littoral Combat Force-24, fires an M4 service rifle during a skills evaluation event at Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, Puerto Rico, Sept. 22, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the #SOUTHCOM# area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar

Soldiers with the Peruvian Army (Ejército del Perú) move during the final assault during the Southern Vanguard 26 field training exercise in Sauce, Peru, Sept. 17, 2026. The culminating movement marks the completion of combined jungle training designed to strengthen interoperability and readiness in complex terrain. #SouthernVanguard26# strengthened readiness, interoperability, and regional security through combined training with U.S., Peruvian, Argentine, and Chilean forces. This exercise brought together 400 warfighters to execute field and command post training in the demanding, austere jungle environment, simulating real-world contingencies in the complex terrain of the Amazon. @USArmyWHC @WVNationalGuard @EjercitoPeru @CCFFAA_PERU @USEMBASSYPERU @DeptofWar