SOUTHCOM was Honored to Host Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera Today
The ambassador met with SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and senior command leaders to discuss ongoing efforts to expand the security partnership between the United States and Panama. The U.S.-Panama partnership is vital to regional security and readiness, including joint efforts to combat narco-trafficking and ensure the defense of the Panama Canal.
The United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) is one of eleven unified combatant commands in the U.S. Department of Defense, responsible for military operations, security cooperation, and disaster relief in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean (excluding U.S. territories). Headquartered in Doral, Florida, it defends the Panama Canal and counters transnational threats.
Key Aspects of SOUTHCOM:
- Area of Responsibility: Covers 31 countries and 12 dependencies, representing about one-sixth of the world’s landmass.
- Mission: Deter aggression, defeat threats (such as narco-terrorism and transnational criminal organizations), and build regional security capacity
- Structure: It operates with roughly 1,200 personnel from all military branches, supported by component commands like Army South (ARSOUTH), Air Force South (AFSOUTH), and Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH).
- Joint Task Forces: Includes JTF-Bravo in Honduras (disaster relief) and JTF-Guantanamo in Cuba.
- History: Established on June 11, 1963, evolving from the Caribbean Defense Command formed during WWII.
For more information, visit the official SOUTHCOM website.
