U.S. South Command launches joint task force with 18 American nations
The U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) announced the activation of the Joint Task Force‑Western Hemisphere, a new operational structure that replaces the former Operation Lanza del Sur. General Francis L. Donovan, commander of Southcom, said the force will serve as the "executive arm" for combating transnational criminal organizations across the hemisphere and for strengthening emergency and humanitarian response.
The task force brings together the United States and 18 partner nations that signed the "Escudo de las Américas" coalition in March: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia (president‑elect), Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas and Belize. General Kevin Jarrard will lead the new group.
The alliance aims to increase operational effectiveness against drug cartels, apply sustained pressure on criminal networks, and improve coordination for regional security. According to the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), U.S. operations have already targeted more than 60 drug‑running vessels, resulting in 221 deaths.
Entities: Chilean Army Special Operations Command · Coalition of the Americas (Escudo de las Américas) · General Francis L. Donovan · General Kevin Jarrard · Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere · Joint Task Force‑Western Hemisphere · U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) · U.S. Special Operations Command South · United States Southern Command
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The alliance aims to combat transnational criminal organizations and improve regional security. (multiple articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Joint Task Force replaces Operation Lanza del Sur. (multiple articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The task force includes the United States and 18 partner nations from the Coalition of the Americas. (multiple articles)
- [● 8 SOURCES] U.S. Southern Command launched the Joint Task Force‑Western Hemisphere. (multiple articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Guatemala joined the Coalition of the Americas. (article 4f52a8fa-356d-4621-8bf7-2f414ecb68c4)
- [● 3 SOURCES] U.S. operations have attacked more than 60 drug vessels, causing 221 deaths, according to WOLA. (multiple articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] General Kevin Jarrard will lead the new task force. (multiple articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] General Francis L. Donovan is commander of Southcom and announced the launch. (multiple articles)