U.S. Southern Command is the headquarters that directs U.S. military- to-military relations and engagement in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, and it helps foster security and stability by maintaining partnerships throughout the region.
U.S. Southern Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands within the U.S. Department of Defense. The joint command is comprised of more than 1,200 military and civilian personnel representing all branches of the U.S. military and numerous federal agencies. Under the leadership of a four-star commander, U.S. Southern Command conducts military operations and promotes security cooperation in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, in order to achieve U.S. national security objectives.
Area of Focus
The U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility encompasses 31 countries and 10 territories. The region represents about one-sixth of the landmass of the world assigned to regional unified commands.
SOUTHCOM's Area of Responsibility includes:
-The land mass of Latin America south of Mexico
-The waters adjacent to Central and South America
-The Caribbean Sea
-A portion of the Atlantic Ocean
For more information, please visit the official USSOUTHCOM Web site at www.southcom.mil