U.S. Deploys Hundreds of Troops to Latin America for Anti-Drug Campaign

The U.S. military is sending hundreds of troops to Latin America as part of an expanded campaign against drug trafficking. Around 600 soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division will deploy to Panama for jungle training exercises, followed by joint exercises with local forces in Colombia and Honduras. The troops may also support U.S. Special Operations forces in raids against suspected drug traffickers. Additionally, the Pentagon has moved MQ-9 Reaper drones to Colombia and Ecuador, and U.S. commanders are planning to expand strikes from maritime targets to land-based objectives.