US forms new military alliance with 18 nations to fight organized crime in Western Hemisphere, including Ecuador

The United States has launched a new military alliance, the Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force, aimed at combating organized crime across the region. This initiative, announced by the U.S. Army's Southern Command (Southcom) based in Miami, integrates 18 nations into the "Coalition Against Cartels of the Americas." This marks a direct evolution from the "Operation Southern Lance," which began in September 2025 under the Trump administration and involved aerial attacks on drug trafficking vessels.

General Francis Donovan, commander of Southcom, stated the task force will serve as the command's "executive arm" to confront threats throughout the hemisphere. The alliance seeks to enhance operational tempo and create systemic friction to dismantle transnational criminal networks. The previous "Operation Southern Lance" reportedly led to over 60 vessels attacked and 221 fatalities, according to preliminary counts from the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

The new strategic alliance includes the United States and nations that signed the "Shield of the Americas" agreement in March. Participating countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. Later, Bahamas, Belize, Chile, Guatemala, Jamaica, Peru, and Colombia's president-elect also joined. General Kevin Jarrard, known for leading humanitarian efforts after earthquakes in Venezuela, will head the new operational group.

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the executive arm