Pentagon chief Hegseth considers redeploying US troops from Europe — The Hill

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said in Colorado Springs, United States, that some US service members could be redeployed from Europe to the Western Hemisphere. This could happen amid an expanded US presence in Central and South America in cooperation with regional partners, The Hill reports.

Review of presence in Europe

Hegseth named Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala and Panama among US partners. He also said that the US national security strategy and defense strategy envisage a greater sharing of the defense burden among European allies.

According to him, some military capabilities could be moved to the United States or used for a different force configuration in the Western Hemisphere. The secretary linked this to operations against organizations designated as terrorist by US authorities.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

The Pentagon is conducting a six-month review of the US military presence in Europe. Its goal is to give NATO allies on the continent more responsibility for conventional defense. The review is expected to be completed in December.

Operations in Latin America

The United States does not have a major military base in South America, but since last autumn the Pentagon has been increasing efforts against drug cartels in Latin America. US forces have carried out strikes against vessels believed to be involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Last week, about 50 US military personnel and law enforcement officers joined raids against suspected drug traffickers in Ecuador. The operations were conducted by Ecuadorian police. The United States had previously provided Ecuador and other allied countries with equipment, training and intelligence support to fight criminal groups.