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U.S. shifts MQ-9 Reapers to Southern Command for missions

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 12:08 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. military will move MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa Command to Southern Command for South America.
The shift is intended to support upcoming counternarcotics and counterterrorism missions, including possible operations in Ecuador.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella agreed to loan three MQ-9A Reaper drones for monitoring and precision strikes.
The U.S. Embassy in Panama announced delivery of $6 million in long-range drone systems to the National Aeronaval Service.

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Story summary

The U.S. military will move MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa Command to Southern Command for South America.
The shift is intended to support upcoming counternarcotics and counterterrorism missions, including possible operations in Ecuador.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella agreed to loan three MQ-9A Reaper drones for monitoring and precision strikes.
The U.S. Embassy in Panama announced delivery of $6 million in long-range drone systems to the National Aeronaval Service.