Peru hosts multinational military exercise in Amazon Jungle

The military forces of Peru, the United States, Argentina, and Chile have commenced Exercise Southern Vanguard 2026 (SV26) in the Amazon Jungle. Hosted by the Peruvian Army at the Escuela de Selva in Sauce, this marks the first time Peru has hosted the multinational training event.

Running from September 7 to September 18, 2026, the exercise involves nearly 400 personnel. The training focuses on enhancing interoperability and readiness through activities such as patrols, river crossings, and amphibious capabilities in demanding jungle terrain. The Peruvian Ministry of Defense stated the exercises aim to test human resilience and technological readiness to address regional threats, including organized crime, drug trafficking, and illegal mining.

A high-pressure simulated operation is scheduled for September 18, involving the infiltration of terrain to neutralize a simulated key member of a transnational criminal organization. The exercise is coordinated with the U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command and is part of a rotating series of regional training programs designed to strengthen security cooperation and common response procedures across the hemisphere.