U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated the possibility of reallocating some U.S. troops stationed in Europe to the continental United States or Latin America. This move is seen as a strategy to increase military engagement in Latin America to combat drug cartels while shifting more defense responsibilities to European allies.
On October 3, during a press briefing in Colorado Springs, Hegseth stated, "We are expanding our military presence and operational scope in Latin America," adding that partnerships have provided entirely new options economically and militarily.
He identified Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Panama as key partners, reaffirming the intention to increase Europe’s defense responsibilities in line with U.S. national security and defense strategies.
"These strategies clearly show that we want Europe to share more of the burden," Hegseth said, noting that this would result in some forces being relocated elsewhere.
He explained that these forces could return to new bases being constructed in the U.S. or be deployed in different capacities in the Americas to respond to designated terrorist organizations.
The Pentagon is currently reviewing the size and mission of U.S. troops in Europe to enhance the roles and responsibilities of NATO European member states in conventional defense. This review, which has been ongoing for six months, is expected to conclude in December.
There is also speculation about the potential return of some troops to the U.S. Hegseth urged governors during a speech at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, on September 30, to compete for new U.S. military bases.
As the U.S. seeks to shift more defense responsibilities to its allies in Europe, it is also increasingly focused on expanding military operations against drug cartels in Latin America.
While the U.S. currently does not have large military bases in South America, it has intensified military responses to Latin American drug cartels since last fall.
U.S. forces have targeted vessels suspected of being used for drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, recently intercepting large fishing boats suspected of being floating refueling stations near Ecuador and destroying them after evacuating the crew.
Last week, approximately 50 U.S. military and law enforcement personnel participated in a ground raid alongside Ecuadorian police targeting drug trafficking suspects. This marks a shift from primarily supporting allied nations with equipment, training, and intelligence to a more direct military involvement.
Hegseth reiterated that the U.S. is "at war" with drug cartels, stating, "We will deploy forces and secure bases as needed to fight against ISIS and al-Qaeda in our hemisphere."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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