US plans to expand military footprint in Latin America

The United States intends to significantly expand its military presence in Latin America amid its ongoing operation against drug cartels off the coast of Venezuela.

Washington is seeking to establish an airbase in Ecuador, bolster troop rotations in Panama and make greater use of a military airfield there, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

At the same time, political developments in Ecuador have complicated one of these plans. On November 16, Ecuadoran voters decisively rejected the return of US military bases in a nationwide referendum, dealing a setback to President Daniel Noboa, who is viewed as close to the Trump administration.

With three-quarters of ballots counted, nearly 60 percent voted “no” on lifting the long-standing ban on foreign bases.

This outcome effectively prevents the United States from restoring operations at the Manta airbase on the Pacific coast, which previously served as a key hub for Washington’s anti-drug missions.

Meanwhile, Washington is pushing ahead with other elements of its regional strategy, including plans to reactivate a naval facility in Puerto Rico.

A major military buildup is underway at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba, marking the first large-scale reactivation of the base since its closure in 2004 following financial and logistical complications.

Located roughly 500 miles from Venezuela’s coast, the base is now witnessing the largest deployment of US forces in decades, primarily in support of counter-narcotics activities.

More than 10,000 personnel from the United States Southern Command have been deployed across the region, with half stationed in Puerto Rico and the remainder on naval vessels offshore — a scale of mobilisation that has raised concerns that the mission may extend beyond a limited counter-drug operation.

At least 80 people have been killed in US strikes on 20 suspected drug-running vessels in the southern Caribbean and the eastern Pacific since early September.

President Trump and senior officials say these boats were carrying narcotics bound for the United States.

By Jeyhun Aghazada