WASHINGTON – The United States will host senior military leaders from 34 nations in Washington on Feb. 11 for an inaugural meeting of Western Hemisphere defense chiefs, as the Trump administration seeks to deepen regional coordination against drug trafficking, transnational crime, and emerging external security threats, the Pentagon said.
The conference will be chaired by Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and will bring together chiefs of defense and top military representatives from across the Americas, alongside officials from European countries with territorial interests in the region. The meeting aims to establish a shared understanding of regional security priorities and strengthen cooperation among armed forces operating in an increasingly volatile security environment.
U.S. officials said the talks would focus on coordinated military campaigns against narcotics traffickers and organized criminal networks, particularly as Washington steps up operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The gathering comes amid heightened U.S. military activity in those areas, where Southern Command has intensified strikes and interdiction efforts targeting smuggling routes and armed groups linked to drug cartels.
The meeting also reflects a broader shift in U.S. defense posture that places greater emphasis on stability in the Western Hemisphere. Senior officials have argued that criminal organizations, illicit trafficking networks and foreign influence pose growing risks to regional security, economic resilience and democratic institutions.
Pentagon officials said the conference is designed to improve operational coordination, intelligence sharing and long-term planning among partner nations, rather than announce new military commitments. Still, analysts say the symbolism of convening all hemispheric defense chiefs under U.S. leadership underscores Washington’s intent to reassert influence in the region at a time of rising geopolitical competition.
The summit will take place weeks after controversial U.S. military actions linked to Venezuela heightened diplomatic tensions and drew renewed attention to Washington’s role in regional security affairs. While the Pentagon has framed the conference as cooperative, some governments are expected to raise concerns about sovereignty, escalation risks and the balance between security operations and civilian oversight.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the Feb. 11 meeting?
The meeting aims to strengthen regional security cooperation, coordinate efforts against drug trafficking and organized crime, and align defense priorities across the Western Hemisphere.
Who is hosting the conference?
The summit will be chaired by Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, on behalf of the U.S. military.
How many countries are participating?
Military leaders and senior representatives from 34 countries are expected to attend.
Why is the meeting considered significant?
It is the first-ever conference bringing together defense chiefs from across the Western Hemisphere, signaling a stronger U.S. focus on regional security coordination.
Will new military actions be announced?
U.S. officials say the meeting is focused on coordination and dialogue, not on announcing new operations or formal defense commitments.
Sources
Reuters: https://www.reuters.comBloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com
Pentagon (U.S. Department of Defense): https://www.defense.gov
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