US military moving drones to South America for counternarcotics operations

US military moving drones to South America for counternarcotics operations.

They may send MQ-9 Reaper drones operating over Africa to the US command responsible for South America, six sources familiar with the planning told CNN. It remains part of a wave of military equipment that has moved to the region as US officials trumpet military partnerships for anticipated counternarcotics and counterterror operations.

Last year, the US military moved a combination of MQ-9 drones, F-35 fighter jets, and at least one AC-130 gunship to the Caribbean as part of its campaign targeting alleged drug boats. But the latest shift comes as Trump administration officials have publicly outlined plans to escalate operations on land with partner nations in South America.