Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC 24)
Defense and public-security leaders from the United States and Central America gathered in Guatemala for this year’s Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) and discussed utilizing innovations to protect borders in all domains.
Exercise CENTAM Guardian 2024
CENTAM Guardian 2024, hosted in Honduras and Costa Rica, is designed to build humanitarian assistance/disaster response capacity, enhance readiness to combat common threats in Central America, and promote cooperation.
Strengthening Partnerships: SOUTHCOM Commander Visits Argentina
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson visited Argentina April 2-6 where she met with Argentine President Javier Milei and senior defense leaders to strengthen the U.S.-Argentina defense partnership.
Southern Seas 2024: USS George Washington to Deploy and Engage with South American Partners
USS George Washington (CVN 73), along with USS Porter (DDG 78) and USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189), are scheduled to conduct passing exercises and operations at sea with partner nation maritime forces during the "Southern Seas 2024" deployment.
SOUTHCOM Commander Testifies Before House and Senate Armed Services Committees
Info and resources on SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Laura Richardson's testimony before the House Armed Services Committee March 12, and Senate Armed Services Committee March 14.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

Statement: U.S. Military Aircraft transports US Embassy Port-au-Prince Support and Security Personnel
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft sits on the tarmac at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 23, 2024. The aircraft flew into Toussaint Louverture International Airport for the planned rotation of support and security augmentation personnel for the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. In support of the Department of State, U.S. Southern Command coordinated the airlift mission. (Photo courtesy U.S. State Department INL)
April 23, 2024 - In support of the Department of State, U.S. Southern Command transported support and security augmentation personnel for the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. A U.S. Air Force C-130 flew into Toussaint Louverture International Airport today for the planned rotation of personnel.
Gen. Richardson meets with Guatemalan leaders, Central American security chiefs in Guatemala
Guatemala City, Guatemala (Aug. 15, 2024) – U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, right, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, left, to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Guatemala security partnership. The general visited Guatemala to meet with senior leadership and join with regional security leaders for the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) 2024. Photo by Senior Airman Christopher Bermudez
April 22, 2024 - Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Guatemala April 15-18, meeting with President Bernardo Arévalo and senior defense leaders as well as taking part in the Central American Security Conference 2024 (CENTSEC).
Guatemala Hosts Central American Security Conference, Focuses on Cyber Security
Guatemala City, Guatemala (Aug. 17, 2024) – U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, takes a group photo with regional security leaders after the opening ceremony of the Central American Security Conference. The general visited Guatemala to meet with senior leadership and join with regional security leaders for the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) 2024.
April 22, 2024 - For this year’s Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC), defense and public-security leaders from the United States and Central America discussed the central theme to the conference which was utilizing innovations to protect borders in all domains.
U.S. Army South leverages Joint Enabling Capabilities Command expertise for multidomain operations
Members of the Joint Planning Support Element collaborate for multidomain operational planning during a mission readiness exercise, Feb. 26-March 8, 2024, at U.S. Army South headquarters. The planning element typically consisted of reservists who were hand-selected for their subject matter expertise that they can leverage from civilian industries, education, or training. This allows the JECC to tailor teams of planners to the mission. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Nadine Wiley De Moura)
April 16, 2024 - U.S. Army South capitalized on the expertise of the Joint Planning Support Element from the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command for multidomain operational planning during a mission readiness exercise held at the U.S. Army South headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston from Feb. 26 to March 8, 2024.
US, Chilean armies set stage for inaugural exercise Southern Fenix 2024
Chilean, U.S. Army Soldiers and civilian planners from U.S. Army South discuss the training site surveys during the mid-planning conference for exercise Southern Fenix 2024, April 3, 2024 in Iquique, Chile. Southern Fenix 24 (SF24) is a bi-lateral exercise between the U.S. Army and the Chilean Army (CHLAR) in Iquique, Chile. This will be the first U.S. Army-led exercise where the U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) platform is deployed to the United States Southern Command area of operation and piloting new warfighting concepts in partnership with Chile. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Nadine Wiley De Moura)
April 16, 2024 - The U.S. and Chilean armies, along with civilian planners from U.S. Army South, 11th Airborne Division, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade and Texas Army National Guard, conducted a mid-planning conference for exercise Southern Fenix 2024, April 1-5, 2024, in Iquique, Chile.
Commander of U.S. Southern Command Visits Guatemala for Meetings With Guatemalan and Regional Leaders
April 16, 2024 - U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), will arrive in Guatemala City, Monday, April 15, marking her first official visit to the country. 
More

PHOTOS

A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft sits on the tarmac at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 23, 2024.
U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, addresses regional security leaders during the opening ceremony of the Central American Security Conference.
U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, addresses regional security leaders during the opening ceremony of the Central American Security Conference.
U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, takes a group photo with regional security leaders after the opening ceremony of the Central American Security Conference
U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, addresses regional security leaders during the opening ceremony of the Central American Security Conference.
U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, addresses regional security leaders during the opening ceremony of the Central American Security Conference.
U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, addresses regional security leaders during the opening ceremony of the Central American Security Conference.
U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, arrives in Guatemala for an official visit.
U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Saenz & Chief of the Guatemalan National Defense Staff Brigadier General Carlos Antionio Medina Juárez.
Miliary personnel salute each other.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez, the command senior enlisted leader of U.S. Southern Command, presents a coin to Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Saenz.
U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, right, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo.
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team aircraft zips through the sky.
U.S. Airmen from the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team salute their pilot and commander.
The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team performs during the Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE).
USSPACECOM, Brazilian Air Force Sign Liaison Officer Agreement
USSPACECOM, Brazilian Air Force Sign Liaison Officer Agreement
A 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Multipurpose Canine Detachment (MPC-D), handler discusses signs of heat-related injuries in multipurpose canines during training, April 3, 2024.
Armando Drain, a geospatial engineer with U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), conducts training on U.S. SOUTHCOM’s Enhanced Domain Awareness, a common sharing platform, as part of exercise CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one on Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads Close Quarters Battle training with members of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads gun range training with members of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Multipurpose Canine Detachment, handlers guides a multipurpose canine during behavior training in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Multipurpose Canine Detachment, handler, center, discusses techniques to incorporate canines in operations in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads Close Quarters Battle training with members of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads Close Quarters Battle training with members of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
A member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) leads gun range training with a member of the Honduran military in La Venta, Honduras, as part of CENTAM Guardian 24, April 5, 2024.
Cyber service members from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras participate in a cyberspace defense exercise as part of CENTAM GUARDIAN 24 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras 2-11 April, 2024.
Salvadoran servicemembers participate in a cyberspace defense exercise as part of CENTAM GUARDIAN 24 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras 2-11 April, 2024.
Honduran servicemembers participate in a cyberspace defense exercise as part of CENTAM GUARDIAN 24 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras 2-11 April, 2024.
Honduran servicemembers participate in a cyberspace defense exercise as part of CENTAM GUARDIAN 24 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras 2-11 April, 2024.
USSPACECOM signs SSA with Uruguay
The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 work together to intercept a self-propelled semi-submersible drug smuggling vessel (SPSS), in the Atlantic Ocean, March 22, 2024. Leyte Gulf is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of operations, employed by U.S. Fourth Fleet to support joint and combined military operations, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and the Atlantic.
The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 work together to intercept a self-propelled semi-submersible drug smuggling vessel (SPSS), in the Atlantic Ocean, March 22, 2024. Leyte Gulf is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of operations, employed by U.S. Fourth Fleet to support joint and combined military operations, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and the Atlantic.
Gen. Richardson Meets with President Milei, Defense Leaders in Argentina.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, delivers remarks during a ceremony highlighting the U.S.-provided donation of a C-130H Hercules aircraft.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), delivers remarks during a ceremony highlighting the U.S.-provided donation of a C-130H Hercules.
Argentine President Javier Milei delivers remarks during a ceremony highlighting the U.S.-provided donation of a C-130H Hercules aircraft .
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), is greeted by Argentine President Javier Milei.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (April 3, 2024) – U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), joins Argentine service members and defense officials for a panel discussion on the advancement of Women, Peace, and Security.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), meets with Argentine Brig. Gen. Xavier Isaac, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Argentine Armed Forces.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), meets with Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri.
Members of U.S. Southern Command, El Salvador military, Honduran military, and Guatemalan military stand at parade rest during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
Laura Dogu, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, provides remarks during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
Laura Dogu, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, provides remarks during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
Members of the Guatemalan military salute during the playing of national anthems during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
Members of the Honduran military salute during the playing of national anthems during the opening ceremony of CENTAM Guardian 24 phase one at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 2, 2024.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson and U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Cynthia A. Telles join U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo during a meeting with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles.
- The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson speaks during a press conference alongside Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and join U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo.
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson takes part in a press conference with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and join U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo.
USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Porter (DDG 78) underway in the Atlantic Ocean.

COMMANDER'S PRIORITIES

SOUTHCOM STRATEGY

SOUTHCOM COMMANDER

Gen. Laura J. Richardson bio photo

Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson is the commander of U.S. Southern Command. She assumed command Oct. 29, 2021.

Gen. Richardson's Bio

 

TEAM SOUTHCOM button. Links to Team SOUTHCOM page.

A Network of Mutual Support: Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command, or TEAM SOUTHCOM, is a command-sponsored organization that aims to support command service members, civilians and family members -- in South Florida and assigned throughout the region.