<![CDATA[Defcon Alerts Threat Monitor: Latin America]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/s/latamhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0cet!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb46ea7f8-d128-4157-808c-3336340f44ed_250x250.pngDefcon Alerts Threat Monitor: Latin Americahttps://www.defconalerts.com/s/latamSubstackTue, 06 Oct 2026 22:56:23 GMT<![CDATA[SOUTHCOM Strikes Caribbean Go-Fast Vessel and Says Four Aboard Were Killed]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-strikes-caribbean-go-fasthttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-strikes-caribbean-go-fastMon, 05 Oct 2026 02:29:29 GMTCARIBBEAN — According to U.S. Southern Command, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere struck a go-fast vessel, a small fast boat, in the Caribbean on October 4.

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The command said confirmed intelligence showed the boat was taking part in drug trafficking on routes it called established trafficking routes, and that the strike killed four people it called “narco-terrorists.”

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]]><![CDATA[US President Lists FY2027 Drug Transit Countries, SOUTHCOM Sinks Pacific Vessel]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-president-lists-fy2027-drug-transithttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-president-lists-fy2027-drug-transitWed, 16 Sep 2026 15:52:33 GMTWESTERN HEMISPHERE — The U.S. Department of State on September 16 posted a Presidential Determination submitted to Congress on September 15 that names 23 countries as major drug-transit or major illicit-drug-producing countries for Fiscal Year 2027 and designates Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, and Colombia as having failed demonstrably over the prior 12 months to meet statutory counter-narcotics duties.

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The statement also says that U.S. assistance to Bolivia, Burma, and Colombia continues under a national-interest finding, and that Venezuela is no longer designated as having failed those duties after the arrest and removal of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, the elimination of Tren de Aragua leader Niño Guerrero, and steps under interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere Interdicts Floating Refueling Station In Eastern Pacific

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]]><![CDATA[SOUTHCOM: Joint Task Force Strike Killed Three on Caribbean Vessel]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-joint-task-force-strikehttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-joint-task-force-strikeThu, 10 Sep 2026 05:46:40 GMTCARIBBEAN SEA — Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere carried out a lethal kinetic strike on September 9 against a go-fast vessel, a small high-speed boat, on routes the command called established narco-trafficking lanes in the Caribbean.

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U.S. Southern Command said confirmed intelligence showed the boat’s active involvement in narco-trafficking, adding that the operation killed three people it called narco-terrorists.

The release did not name the dead, identify the boat, give a flag state, list cargo, name a weapon or aircraft, or publish coordinates.

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No separate statement on this strike was published by the White House or the Department of War as of 7:00 PM UTC on September 10.

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]]><![CDATA[SOUTHCOM Interdicts and Sinks Eastern Pacific Vessel the Command Tied to Los Choneros]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-interdicts-and-sinks-easternhttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-interdicts-and-sinks-easternTue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:05 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — U.S. Southern Command said Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere forces on September 7 interdicted a vessel the command described as a floating refueling station supporting at-sea drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific.

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The command said its intelligence tied the vessel to Los Choneros, which the U.S. Department of State designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist in September 2025.

People taken off the vessel will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities, the command said. After the crew left and the vessel was cleared, U.S. forces sank it.

Partner port in Ecuador. Credits: Open Street Map, Modified Copernicus Sentinel data

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The notice did not name the vessel, give a crew count, publish coordinates, or state whether the boarding occurred in international waters.

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Forces Board and Sink Treasury-Sanctioned Refueling Vessel in Eastern Pacific]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-forces-board-and-sink-treasuryhttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-forces-board-and-sink-treasurySat, 29 Aug 2026 02:57:21 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — U.S. Marines and Sailors launched from the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) boarded, searched, and cleared a vessel in international waters on August 28, then sank it after removing those aboard, U.S. Southern Command said.

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The command stated that U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, directed the action. Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) carried it out with the Government of Ecuador, SOUTHCOM said.

According to the statement, the vessel was a floating refueling station for illicit at-sea drug trafficking, had already been listed under Department of the Treasury sanctions, and was operating in support of Los Choneros, a group the Department of State designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization on Sept. 4, 2025.

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Additionally, it said that the boarding occurred without incident and that the people taken off the vessel were escorted to Ecuador. The command released video of an infrared-tracked vessel, a large explosion, and later color footage of a burning hull.

Threat Level, Situation Report:

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]]><![CDATA[SOUTHCOM: Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere Strikes Vessel on Eastern Pacific Route]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-joint-task-force-westernhttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-joint-task-force-westernMon, 24 Aug 2026 09:31:39 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — On August 23, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere carried out a strike on a low-profile vessel operating along routes SOUTHCOM described as established narco-trafficking routes, according to U.S. Southern Command.

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U.S. Southern Command released the details at 5:21 AM UTC on August 24. The strike was carried out under the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan.

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SOUTHCOM Intelligence showed the vessel’s active involvement in narco-trafficking. The operation killed two individuals whom the Command identified as “narco-terrorists.”

Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere was activated on August 4 as SOUTHCOM’s action arm for operations across the region, succeeding the prior Joint Task Force Southern Spear structure.

SOUTHCOM selected U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard to command the task force. Jarrard had most recently led U.S. military support to Department of State-led disaster relief after the June 2026 earthquakes in Venezuela.

The statement released by U.S. Southern command did not state whether U.S. forces were harmed. No separate statement from the Department of War or from Maj. Gen. Jarrard on the August 23 strike has been issued as of August 24.

The August 23 action is the first kinetic strike attributed to Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere since its activation.

Threat Level

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]]><![CDATA[Cuba Works To Restore Electricity After Nationwide Electrical Grid Collapse]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/cuba-works-to-restore-electricityhttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/cuba-works-to-restore-electricityTue, 04 Aug 2026 03:10:20 GMTCuban Electric Union: "Regarding the restoration of the SEN: Four units of Energás Jaruco are now generating. The following substations in the transmission network are also energized: Diezmero, Naranjito, Melones, Cotorro, Regla, and Guanabacoa."

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Embassy Havana Issues Security Alert on Cuba Nationwide Electrical Grid Collapse]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-embassy-havana-issues-securityhttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-embassy-havana-issues-securityMon, 03 Aug 2026 19:18:47 GMTHAVANA — As of 10:43 p.m. EST on August 2, Cuba experienced a total power failure due to a collapse of its electrical grid, according to a U.S. Embassy Havana security alert published August 3, as well as a statement by the Cuban Electric Union on the same day.

Video: Nighttime satellite imagery (VIIRS Day/Night Band) of Cuba during a total national grid disconnection, March 2026.

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The embassy stated that Cuban state-run media reported the reason for the collapse and the timeline to restore power as unknown. All U.S. citizens in Cuba or planning to travel to Cuba should be aware and plan accordingly. There are reports of cellphone and internet outages.

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Continues Support for Venezuela Earthquake Relief Operations]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-continues-support-for-venezuelahttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-continues-support-for-venezuelaTue, 30 Jun 2026 20:27:58 GMTVENEZUELA — On June 24, two strike-slip earthquakes struck northwestern and central Venezuela. The first measured magnitude 7.2 and occurred at 10:04 p.m. UTC (6:04 p.m. VET). The second, magnitude 7.5, followed 39 seconds later with its epicenter in Veroes municipality, Yaracuy state.

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Venezuelan authorities and international monitoring organizations reported widespread damage, particularly in La Guaira and Caracas areas.

U.S. Southern Command, at the direction of its commander, surged assigned forces to support U.S. Department of State-led disaster assistance after the Venezuelan government requested aid.

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Operations continue with arrivals of personnel, heavy equipment, aircraft, and naval vessels.

Earthquake Parameters and Reported Impact

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Southern Command Backs Venezuela Earthquake Relief, State Deploys Rescue Teams]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-backs-venezuelahttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-backs-venezuelaThu, 25 Jun 2026 18:00:07 GMTVENEZUELA — U.S. Southern Command, directed by the Department of War, stated on June 25 that it is working with the Department of State to support U.S. government relief operations in Venezuela following the June 24 earthquakes.

Map credits: Open Street Map, Modified Copernicus Sentinel data.

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The command established an operational planning team that includes experts from the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and initiated coordination with regional partners.

U.S. Southern Command Response

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Southern Command Strikes Vessel in Caribbean Sea]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-strikes-vessel-822https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-strikes-vessel-822Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:20:16 GMTCARIBBEAN SEA — U.S. Joint Task Force (JTF) Southern Spear conducted a strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea on June 21.

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U.S. Southern Command stated that intelligence indicated the vessel was transiting along known routes for drug trafficking and engaged in such operations. The command reported that two males were killed during the action and six male survivors were present.

U.S. Southern Command notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate search and rescue for the survivors. No U.S. military forces were harmed.

Engagement Of The Vessel

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Southern Command Directs Strike on Vessel Linked to Drug-Trafficking in Eastern Pacific]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-directs-strikehttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-directs-strikeFri, 19 Jun 2026 06:47:11 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — Joint Task Force Southern Spear struck a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on June 18, killing three men aboard, according to U.S. Southern Command.

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SOUTHCOM Intelligence had confirmed the vessel was traveling along known drug-trafficking routes and was engaged in such operations. No U.S. military forces were harmed.

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Southern Command Joint Task Force Strikes Vessel in Eastern Pacific Drug Trafficking Route]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-joint-task-force-3d5https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-joint-task-force-3d5Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:18:53 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — Joint Task Force Southern Spear struck a vessel that U.S. Southern Command stated was engaged in drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific on June 16.

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The strike was directed by the commander of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Francis L. Donovan. The Command stated that the vessel was transiting known narco-trafficking routes and actively involved in trafficking operations.

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One man was killed during the strike, and two male survivors were reported. U.S. Southern Command notified the U.S. Coast Guard immediately after the engagement to activate search and rescue for the survivors. No U.S. military forces were reported to have been harmed.

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Southern Command Strikes Vessel in Eastern Pacific]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-strikes-vessel-da3https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-strikes-vessel-da3Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:24:05 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — U.S. Southern Command released a statement saying that it carried out a strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on June 3.

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SOUTHCOM Intelligence indicated the vessel was transiting known drug trafficking routes and engaged in such operations.

Two males were killed during the engagement. No U.S. military forces were harmed. The strike follows a series of continued strikes conducted by the same task force in the Eastern Pacific.

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Official releases describe consistent intelligence-driven targeting of vessels involved in drug trafficking.

The strike was carried out under Operation Southern Spear, which encompasses strikes and maritime interdictions conducted in partnership with U.S. inter-agency elements and regional forces to detect, disrupt, and dismantle networks involved in drug trafficking across the Western Hemisphere.

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]]><![CDATA[SOUTHCOM Strikes Vessel in Eastern Pacific, Killing Three]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-strikes-vessel-in-easternhttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/southcom-strikes-vessel-in-easternSat, 30 May 2026 03:46:31 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — On May 29, Joint Task Force Southern Spear, operating under U.S. Southern Command, struck a vessel confirmed by SOUTHCOM intelligence to be transiting known drug trafficking routes while engaged in narco-trafficking operations.

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The strike killed three male individuals identified by SOUTHCOM as narco-terrorists. No U.S. military personnel were harmed.

The strike forms part of ongoing maritime interdiction efforts. SOUTHCOM has conducted similar actions on May 26 and May 27 resulting in one and two fatalities respectively.

Strike Details

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Strikes Vessel Operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in Eastern Pacific]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-strikes-vessel-operated-by-designatedhttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-strikes-vessel-operated-by-designatedThu, 28 May 2026 01:05:20 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — On May 27, at the direction of U.S. Southern Command commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear struck a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

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SOUTHCOM Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.

Two males onboard the vessel were killed during the strike. No U.S. military forces were harmed.

The strike was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear, which integrates expeditionary capabilities of II Marine Expeditionary Force with joint force and inter-agency partners to disrupt narcotics flows and degrade the ability of groups the U.S. government has designated as terrorist organizations to traffic narcotics in the Western Hemisphere.

Strike Details

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Southern Command Conducts Strike on Vessel in Eastern Pacific]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-conducts-strikehttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-conducts-strikeWed, 27 May 2026 02:14:01 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — On May 26, Joint Task Force Southern Spear, at the direction of U.S. Southern Command commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, conducted a strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific.

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SOUTHCOM Intelligence stated that the vessel was transiting known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in trafficking operations.

One person was killed and two survivors were rescued after U.S. Southern Command notified the U.S. Coast Guard.

Strike Details

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Southern Command Strikes Vessel in Eastern Pacific]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-strikes-vessel-d58https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-strikes-vessel-d58Wed, 06 May 2026 04:07:56 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — U.S. Southern Command announced on May 5 that Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific.

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Intelligence assessed the vessel as transiting known drug trafficking routes and engaged in such operations. Three men aboard the vessel were killed. No U.S. military forces were harmed.

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This strike is the latest in a sustained 2026 campaign of strikes executed under the same command and task force against vessels assessed as involved in drug trafficking by groups designated as terrorist organizations.

Engagement Details

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Southern Command Strikes Vessel in Caribbean Sea]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-strikes-vesselhttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-strikes-vesselTue, 05 May 2026 08:03:05 GMTCARIBBEAN SEA — On May 4, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a strike on a vessel linked to groups the U.S. has designated as terrorist organizations involved in drug trafficking.

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The strike was carried out at the direction of U.S. Southern Command commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan.

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]]><![CDATA[U.S. Southern Command Targets Vessel in Eastern Pacific]]>https://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-targets-vesselhttps://www.defconalerts.com/p/us-southern-command-targets-vesselSat, 25 Apr 2026 07:00:32 GMTEASTERN PACIFIC — U.S. Southern Command carried out a strike against a vessel operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on April 24. The craft was moving along established maritime routes associated with narcotics trafficking when two males aboard the vessel were killed with no U.S. military personnel harmed.

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According to the Command the action was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear at the direction of commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan after intelligence confirmed the vessel’s location along trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific, and was involved in “narco-trafficking operations’”.

Execution of the April 24 Strike

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