Army 10th Mountain Division deploys to Latin America to fight cartels

Key Points:

• The U.S. military is deploying several hundred soldiers from the Army's 10th Mountain Division to Latin America for training and joint exercises, focusing on combating drug-trafficking networks as part of the Trump administration's expanded campaign.
• Initial deployment will be to a new jungle training facility in Panama, with subsequent training planned alongside local forces in Colombia and Honduras, under the direction of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
• Troops may also support U.S. special operations advising local militaries in raids against suspected drug traffickers, while some personnel will help staff a new Western Hemisphere military command based in Miami.
• Since the campaign's start over a year ago, U.S. forces have conducted dozens of strikes against drug traffickers, resulting in more than 235 deaths, with plans to consider land-based operations and other measures to increase pressure on cartels.
• SOUTHCOM aims to create "total systemic friction" for drug cartels, with the Trump administration pursuing agreements to expand military operations against trafficking networks across multiple Latin American countries.