U.S. Shifts MQ-9 Reaper Drones from Africa to South America

Six sources familiar with Pentagon planning say the United States will move “most” of the MQ-9 Reaper drones currently assigned to U.S. Africa Command to U.S. Southern Command. The assets, used for intelligence collection and precision strikes, are expected to support counternarcotics and counter-terrorism missions in the region, with Ecuador identified as a likely focal point. A separate discussion continues about diverting some drones to the Middle East to replace losses in the war against Iran.

CNNUS moves MQ-9 Reapers to South America

The redeployment follows a broader relocation of U.S. military equipment to the Western Hemisphere, including MQ-9s, F-35 fighters and an AC-130 gunship moved to the Caribbean last year for anti-drug operations. In addition, a classified Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel opinion produced last year argues that the president may authorize lethal force against a secret list of cartels deemed an imminent threat, effectively allowing designation of drug traffickers as enemy combatants.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has highlighted partnerships with Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica and Colombia, describing them as joint efforts against “narco-terrorists.” State Secretary Marco Rubio emphasized the need for coordinated rules of engagement in joint maritime operations.

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• “Colombia has already requested the Department of War join Colombia in its fight against narco-terrorism, authorizing joint military operations to destroy terrorists and terror networks,” — Pete Hegseth, US defense secretary

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• “When you’re conducting a joint operation in territorial waters, you have to reach an understanding as to how those operations are going to occur,” — State Marco Rubio

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*Key dates referenced in source material:*

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• January 23 – Ecuadorian police conducted an anti-drug raid in Guayaquil.

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• August 12 – Hegseth spoke at the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition forum in Panama City.

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• September 9 – Rubio and Ecuadorian Foreign Affairs Minister Roberto Kury met at Carondelet Palace in Quito.

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