Pentagon Chief Allowed Redeployment of Some US Troops from Europe to Western Hemisphere

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested that some American service members could be redeployed from Europe to the Western Hemisphere as the Trump administration intensifies its tough campaign against drug cartels in South America, The Hill reports.

«We are definitely expanding our presence and our footprint in Central and South America with partners, and because of the bold step the president took in Venezuela,» Hegseth told reporters, referring to the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by American troops.

The Secretary of Defense mentioned partnerships the US has with Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama. He also said that his task is to implement the US national security strategy and defense strategy, which clearly state that Europe must take on more costs and responsibility for its own defense.

«And as we do that, many… some of those forces and assets will move to a different location — either back home to the new big, beautiful base we announced a couple of days ago, or to another position in the Western Hemisphere, as we fight specific terrorist organizations,» the Pentagon chief stated.

The Pentagon is conducting its six-month review of the US military posture in Europe with the aim of shifting conventional defense responsibilities to NATO allies on the continent. The review is expected to conclude in December.

Currently, the US does not have a major military base in South America. But since last autumn, the Pentagon has intensified military efforts against drug cartels in Latin America.

American forces continue to disrupt suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. Since September 2 of last year, US troops have conducted at least 70 strikes and killed 234 «narco-terrorists» on both sides of South America.

In recent weeks, American troops have focused on another target — «floating refueling stations»: they intercept large fishing vessels off the coast of Ecuador and remove the crew before destroying the vessel.

The administration has called both approaches part of efforts to stem the flow of illicit drugs in the region and dismantle drug cartels, which they view as a threat to the United States.

In recent months, the US has expanded its defense partnerships with Latin American countries, and last week, approximately 50 American service members and law enforcement personnel participated in ground raids in Ecuador against suspected drug traffickers.

Previously, the US provided Ecuador and other allied countries with equipment, training, and intelligence support to combat criminal groups.

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