More than 200 years ago, President James Monroe established a simple principle: the security of the United States is directly tied to the security of the Western Hemisphere.Today, that principle is just as vital.
With communist China expanding its influence throughout Latin America and transnational criminal organizations threatening American communities, it is time to reaffirm the Monroe Doctrine and put American interests first in our own hemisphere.President Donald Trump's efforts to expand military training and security cooperation with Latin American partners represent the exact forward-thinking America First policies our national security demands.Deploying elements of the 10th Mountain Division to Panama for jungle training and joint exercises marks an important step toward strengthening the Shield of the Americas initiative.By strengthening our regional allies, we take the fight to criminal organizations before their operations reach American communities.
Providing partners with the training, equipment and intelligence they need helps them dismantle drug-trafficking networks, disrupt smuggling routes and stop deadly drugs before reaching our borders.This protects American interests while allowing allies to take the lead in securing their own countries.PENTAGON SENDS HUNDREDS OF ARMY TROOPS TO LATIN AMERICA FOR TRAINING AS DRUG-TRAFFICKING CAMPAIGN EXPANDSThe Trump administration is also expanding regional intelligence capabilities by shifting MQ-9 Reaper drones from U.S.
Africa Command to U.S.Southern Command.
Supporting operations in Colombia and Ecuador, these aircraft deliver critical surveillance to track trafficking networks across remote jungles, borders and maritime routes.Combined with greater intelligence sharing and coordinated operations, these efforts help dismantle criminal networks at the source.A drone view shows cranes and containers at the new megaport being built by China's state-owned Cosco Shipping, promising to shorten sea routes to ...