Southern Command News Archive | SOUTHCOM Or USSOUTHCOM Alerts For South America

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July 22, 2022 - Former U.S. national security advisor John Bolton publicly admitted that he has helped plan coups abroad. China took note of the interview and reported about it on their military website. Read more

June 30, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 21st that the BRICS countries, which include Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa (Iran and Argentina have applied but not yet accepted) are currently working on setting up a global reserve currency to cut their financial reliance on the West. Read more

June 28, 2022 - Iran has applied to become a member of the BRICS, a group of emerging world economies that include: Russia, China, South Africa, Brazil and India. Read more

June 28, 2022 - At least 47 migrants have been found dead inside a trailer in San Antonio, Texas with 18 others transported to hospitals in the area, in what appears to be a human smuggling accident. Read more

June 25, 2022 - List of travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State from June 1st, 2022 to June 24th, 2022. KEY: Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | Level 4: Do Not Travel. For a clickable list visit the OSLINT Advisories post. Read more

June 22, 2022 - Mexican drug cartels are using online games to recruit teenagers, paying them, often with a monthly income to act as full-time lookouts at the southern border, notifying the cartel of the presence of law enforcement, and promising to teach them how to move drugs and carry out hits for more cash. Read more

June 19, 2022 - So far this year there have been 50 people from the FBI terror watchlist arrested at the U.S. border with Mexico, which amounts to more than the last five years combined. There have also been more than 440,000 known 'gotaways'. Read more

June 8, 2022 - The World Bank put out a statement saying that less developed countries in the world face a major recession as a result of the war in Ukraine, as well as the consequences of the COVID-19 lockdowns as the cost of energy and food continue to rise globally. Read more

May 17, 2022 - United States anti-narcotics agents have found a drug-smuggling tunnel running underneath the U.S. border with Mexico that contains electricity, a ventilation and a railway system. Read more

May 6, 2022 - There has been a powerful explosion at the history Hotel Saratoga in Havana, Cuba that has damaged the building. Read more

April 29, 2022 - There is an increased presence of Mexican security forces in the Puerto Vallarta area and the potential for confrontations between criminal groups and security forces in the Puerto Vallarta area and in the Guadalajara metropolitan area. Read more

April 7, 2022 - Confirmed: The entire island of Puerto Rico is without power due to a 'critical fault'. There have been reports of an issue with a power plant, and fires at two substations. Read more

April 5, 2022 - The U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador has issued a security alert regarding the Government of El Salvador’s enactment of emergency measures on March 27, violent encounters between law enforcement personnel and alleged gang members continue around the country. Read more

March 5, 2022 -The FBI has reportedly arrested the main suspect in the assassination of the Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Mario Antonio Palacios, who allegedly worked with a group of other Colombian citizens in the plotted kidnapping turned assassination of Jovenel Moise has been detained. Read more

February 7, 2022 - A woman shot and injured and her 9 month old infant was shot and killed by the Trinidad coast guard while they were traveling from Venezuelan waters. The Coast Guard says their boat attempted to ram their vessel and acted in self defense. Read more

February 5, 2022 - Mexican gangs are no longer merely using drones to drop bombs onto opposing cartels, but have upgraded their tactics to include laying improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the roads to disable army vehicles. Read more

February 4, 2022 - After a classified congressional briefing on the situation between Russia and Ukraine a GOP lawmaker stated the briefing is 'top secret' but what he can say is "Americans need to get out of Ukraine". He also stated the importance of focusing on America's southern border. Read more

January 23, 2022 - A Russian Ambassador to Caracas, Venezuela says that deployment of Russian bases in Venezuela is impossible under its constitution. Read more

January 22, 2022 - Russia's ambassador to Caracas, Venezuela says that Venezuela is ready to offer military help to Moscow if relations with the United States exacerbate. Read more

January 21, 2022 - The Defense Department has agreed to pay $52.5 million for blimps that will be used to help surveil and patrol the U.S. border with Mexico. Read more

January 21, 2022 - Warships from Russia, China and Iran are all navigating to the Middle East for joint naval drills in the Persian Gulf. Syria, India and Venezuela will also be participating in the drills. Read more

January 13, 2022 - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said that Russia will not rule out deploying its military to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the United States continue to mount. Read more

January 13, 2022 - The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the deadliest cartels in Mexico is allegedly using drones as bombers to target rival gangs in a turf war. Read more

August 21, 2021 - Bolivia has charged ex president Jeanine Anez with both genocide and staging a coup after MAS (Movement For Socialism) candidate, Luis Arce was elected during 2020 Bolivian elections. Read more

August 17, 2021 - The United States is preparing to send an amphibious warship to Haiti to aid in earthquake relief after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the country and killed more than 1,419 people (Death count is still ongoing). Read more

July 24, 2021 - Venezuela has accused the United States of violating its airspace in what they call a 'flagrant provocation' and stated that they would 'respond forcefully' to any maneuver it saw as aggressive behavior. Read more

July 8, 2021 A United States citizen, along with over a dozen others have been arrested for the assassination of the Haitian president, along with the Haitian First Lady. Read more

July 7, 2021 The Haitian president has been assassinated, and the first lady is in the hospital after a group of Spanish speaking, but unknown armed men carried out an attack on his place of residence. Read more

June 18, 2021 The Iranian ships that had been sailing toward South America and presumed to be headed for Venezuela or Cuba have changed course and are now headed toward Syria, the Mediterranean Sea or to Russia although their exact destination is presently unknown. Read more

June 11, 2021 The United States has been watching two Iranian warships as they entered the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in history and continue on a path toward South America, suspected to be shipping weapons to Venezuela. Full story

June 5, 2021 Two Iranian warships that have been heading toward the Atlantic ocean and believed to be headed for Venezuela have now rounded Africa's Cape Of God Hope and have almost entered the Atlantic. Read more

May 4, 2021 19 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Columbia as tens of thousands took to the streets to protest over skyrocketing poverty and unemployment rates. Read more

Drug Running Tunnel Found Running Through US/Mexican Border - United States anti-narcotics agents have found a drug-smuggling tunnel running underneath the U.S. border with Mexico that contains electricity, a ventilation and a railway system.

The drug running tunnel ran from Tijuana, Mexico to a warehouse in San Diego, California about 300 feet away from the border, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Six people were arrested by U.S. authorities in connection with alleged drug running crimes involving the tunnel that was discovered and have been accused of conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, among other crimes.

U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman put out a statement saying, "There is no more light at the end of this narco-tunnel".

The estimated length of the tunnel, which was partly located in Baja California is about 1,750 feet and had walls that were reinforced.

The attorney general's office for Baja California in Mexico told Reuters that he had notified U.S. authorities of the tunnel on Sunday, two days after they had discovered it. He also said that it is one of the longest tunnels that has been found in the region.

Powerful Explosion In Havana, Cuba Damages Building - There has been a powerful explosion at the history Hotel Saratoga in Havana, Cuba that has damaged the building.

Large portions of the building wall were blown away in the blast. The office of the Cuban president has stated that the blast at the Hotel Saratoga in Old Havana was a result of a gas leak.

The Presidential office also said that eight people were killed in the blast and that there are currently efforts to rescue potentially trapped individuals underway.

Entire Island Of Puerto Rico Out Of Power Due To Critical Fault - There is an increased presence of Mexican security forces in the Puerto Vallarta area and the potential for confrontations between criminal groups and security forces in the Puerto Vallarta area and in the Guadalajara metropolitan area.

Location:  Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco; Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit; and Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Past shooting incidents between criminal groups and authorities have occurred in public places and bystanders have been injured.

Actions to Take: Monitor local media for updates and in case of emergency, call 911. Be aware of your surroundings. Review your personal security plans.

Entire Island Of Puerto Rico Out Of Power Due To Critical Fault - Confirmed: The entire island of Puerto Rico is without power due to a 'critical fault'. There have been reports of an issue with a power plant, and fires at two substations.

U.S. Embassy Security Alert For San Salvador, Central America - The U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador has issued a security alert regarding the Government of El Salvador’s enactment of emergency measures on March 27, violent encounters between law enforcement personnel and alleged gang members continue around the country.

The security alert says, "Persons not directly involved in such events can still be at risk for arrest or injury. U.S. citizens should maintain heightened awareness of this risk as they consider any travel to or around El Salvador".

The advisory says that U.S. citizens located in San Salvador should avoid walking or driving after dark, remain aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile. Maintain a high-level of vigilance, and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, and follow the instructions of local authorities.

The alert also advises U.S. citizens not to resist any robbery attempt and to Monitor local news for updates, including local events and pronouncements by the Government of El Salvador.

U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador address: Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad, Telephone: 503-2501-2999 (24 hour phone line). U.S Department of State –Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444.

FBI Arrests Suspect In Haiti Presidential Assassination - The FBI has reportedly arrested the main suspect in the assassination of the Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Mario Antonio Palacios, who allegedly worked with a group of other Colombian citizens in the plotted kidnapping turned assassination of Jovenel Moise has been detained. Read more

Woman And Infant Shot By Trinidad Coast Guard, Infant Died - A woman shot and injured and her 9 month old infant was shot and killed by the Trinidad coast guard while they were traveling from Venezuelan waters. The Coast Guard says their boat attempted to ram their vessel and acted in self defense.

The Trinidad Coast Guard put out a statement saying that on Saturday February 5th, 2022 TTS Scarborough detected a vessel that crossed the border between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. The vessel was pursued and attempted to evade TTS Scarborough who's ship boat was launched to aid in the interception.

All available methods were allegedly used by the Coast Guard to get the suspect vessel to stop, including the use of the loud hailer, ship's horn, searchlight and flares but the vessel would not stop and attempted to evade TTS Scarborough.

The Coast Guard stated that they fired warning shots ahead of the vessel which also 'proved futile'. TTS Scarborough attempted to intercept the vessel at this time but tit continued with 'aggressive manoeuvres' first coming into contact with the ship's boat and then making attempts to ram it.

The Coast Guard then allegedly fired at the engines of the suspects vessel in order to make it stop. The vessel eventually came to a stop and then it was allegedly discovered at that point that there were illegal migrants on board who were hiding and unseen.

Among the immigrants hiding was a woman and a young infant in her arms who had indicated that they were bleeding. The injured woman was stabilized and taken to a local health facility but the infant was found unresponsive.

Mexican Gangs Have Begun Using IEDs On Roads To Disable Army Vehicles - Mexican gangs are no longer merely using drones to drop bombs onto opposing cartels, but have upgraded their tactics to include laying improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the roads to disable army vehicles.

This new tactic is especially dangerous for non combatants who may accidentally come upon the mines, especially children unaware that there may be an improvised explosive device hidden in various places on the ground.

In the town of Tepalcatepec, the self defense movement which is fighting the Jalisco cartel said that improvised land mines heavily damaged an army vehicle last week and showed photos of the army's armored vehicle and the damages that it had taken from what they claimed was a land mine.

The spokesman for the group said that the army vehicle came upon the land mine on Saturday in the town of Taixtan, which is near Tepalcatepec, a location where gun battles have been recently taken place with the Jalisco cartel. It's the first time such a device has been used by the cartel, though they have been using drones to drop bombs on rivals for some time now.

GOP Lawmaker: Americans Should Get Out Of Ukraine And Also Said We Should Be Focused On America's Southern Border - After a classified congressional briefing on the situation between Russia and Ukraine a GOP lawmaker stated the briefing is 'top secret' but what he can say is "Americans need to get out of Ukraine". He also stated the importance of focusing on America's southern border.

Representative Lee Zeldin told Martha MaCallum on 'The Story' that Americans should 'get out' of Ukraine and stated "What happened inside of that briefing was top secret. So there's a lot that I can't share. But what I would tell any Americans who are in Ukraine, they need to get out. It is an important [and] serious moment for their safety".

"Right now, there's commercial air traffic that is going to be capable now, and there's no way to guarantee the safety for them if this escalates" he said.

Zeldin also addressed issues on the Southern Border, saying that there are many people who are currently focused on the situation in Ukraine and their border and who aren't focused on the southern border of the United States.

"We have to make sure that we are putting the highest priority on our own border. And there's a whole lot of people that need to do some reflection because they're caring a lot more about Ukraine's border right now".

Russian Ambassador Says Deployment Of Russian Bases In Venezuela Impossible - A Russian Ambassador to Caracas, Venezuela says that deployment of Russian bases in Venezuela is impossible under its constitution.

Russia’s Ambassador to Caracas Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov stated, "As far as Russian military bases are concerned, it is obvious. Just look at Venezuela’s constitution, which unambiguously states that there cannot and must not be any military bases on its territory".

"Why were the Americans frightened by this answer [of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov that Russian military infrastructure could be deployed to Venezuela or Cuba] is not surprising"

The Russian Ambassador said that the biggest threat for the US is "to have independent countries here, close by, to the south of the Mexican border, which have the right to choose who they will cooperate with and how".

"The fact is that the Americans want to see here just those governments, and not only here, that obey them, but not those that make decisions on their own" he stated.

Russia's Ambassador To Caracas: Venezuela Is To Offer Military Help To Moscow If Relations With US Exacerbate - Russia's ambassador to Caracas, Venezuela says that Venezuela is ready to offer military help to Moscow if relations with the United States exacerbate.

Russia’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov on the YouTube channel Soloviev.Live on Saturday was asked whether Caracas would be able to provide 'military and technical' assistance to Russia if relations between the United States and Russia exacerbate sharply.

"Absolutely" he stated. "From the very first minutes of the hysteria, which was sparked by the words of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Alexeyevich Ryabkov [about the potential deployment of Russian military infrastructure to Venezuela or Cuba], in the West and the United States" he stated.

"I have been receiving calls from Venezuelan politicians and cabinet members. I have held meetings with them, and they pledged their unequivocal and, in general, unhesitating support, since they have gone through that and are going through it together with us" he added.

"It is this form of unprecedented pressure involving illegal restrictive measures, slander and persecution in the international arena, along with all the means of pressure available to our Western counterparts," the ambassador added. "They face it all in full, so they are well aware that the relations between our countries have the possibility of strengthening further on".

"Our specialists, who repair and maintain military hardware, are carrying on with their work here. We strenuously bolster Venezuela’s defense capabilities".

"Venezuela has quite a developed infrastructure of ports. It has deep-water ports and civilian ports. There is a wide range of the Venezuelan Navy’s bases. Another thing is that this is quite a sensitive topic, what is more, our aircraft carriers, guided missile cruisers have called here. And we see absolutely nothing extraordinary in that" he concluded.

DOD To Spend $52 Million On Blimps To Surveil U.S. Border With Mexico - The Defense Department has agreed to pay $52.5 million for blimps that will be used to help surveil and patrol the U.S. border with Mexico.

The blimps were originally requested in 2018 and called for an additional 1,500 troops to be deployed to the border mission.

Currently there are about 2,400 troops deployed along the U.S. border with Mexico with 3,000 troops being authorized to deploy through the end of September.

Russia Won't Rule Out Military Deployments To Cuba And Venezuela If Tensions Continue To Mount - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said that Russia will not rule out deploying its military to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the United States continue to mount.

Ryabkov said that he could 'neither confirm nor exclude' the possibility that Russia may send military assets to South America if the United States persist their military activities near Russian borders.

"It all depends on the action by our U.S. counterparts" Ryabkov stated during an interview on the Russian television network RTVI.

Jalisco Cartel Using Drones As Bombers To Target Rivals - The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the deadliest cartels in Mexico is allegedly using drones as bombers to target rival gangs in a turf war.

Online video footage shows the cartel allegedly dropping small C4 bombs from a drone onto a rival gang's camp in a wooded area. The video shows fleeing after the bombs began dropping.

Bolivia Has Charged Ex President Jeanine Anez With Genocide And Staging Coup - Bolivia has charged ex president Jeanine Anez with both genocide and staging a coup after MAS (Movement For Socialism) candidate, Luis Arce was elected during 2020 Bolivian elections.

Anez is being put on trial for the deaths of 20 protesters in 2019 with the charges "provisionally classified as genocide, serious and minor injury, and injury followed by death" according to attorney general Juan Lanchipa.

A report by the Organization of American States (OAS) stated that Bolivian security forces massacred 20 protesters when Anez took over leadership after Evo Morales resigned from office during the demonstrations that occurred after Evo Morales was elected for the fourth time in October of 2019.

US Preparing To Send Amphibious Warship To Haiti To Aid In Earthquake Relief - The United States is preparing to send an amphibious warship to Haiti to aid in earthquake relief after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the country and killed more than 1,419 people (Death count is still ongoing).

Venezuela Says US Military Jet Violated Airspace In Blatant Provocation - Venezuela has accused the United States of violating its airspace in what they call a 'flagrant provocation' and stated that they would 'respond forcefully' to any maneuver it saw as aggressive behavior. Full story

U.S. Citizen Arrested For Assassination Of Haitian President- A United States citizen, along with over a dozen others have been arrested for the assassination of the Haitian president, along with the Haitian First Lady.

James Solages, from Florida was arrested for being apart of a hit squad of over a dozen men who took part in the assassination, shooting President Jovenel Moïse 12 times in the head and body and shooting his wife three times. The daughter managed to escape by hiding in a room.

Protesters had been calling for him to resign after he continued to lead after his presidential term was over in February.

Haitian President Assassinated In His Home, First Lady In Hospital - The Haitian president has been assassinated, and the first lady is in the hospital after a group of Spanish speaking, but unknown armed men carried out an attack on his place of residence. The Prime minister says it was a "hateful, inhumane and barbaric act."

Interim Premier Claude Joseph said, "The country’s security situation is under the control of the National Police of Haiti and the Armed Forces of Haiti".

Iranian Ships Changing Course, Turning Away From South America - The Iranian ships that had been sailing toward South America and presumed to be headed for Venezuela or Cuba have changed course and are now headed toward Syria, the Mediterranean Sea or to Russia although their exact destination is presently unknown.

The reason for the change of course remains unclear, however there is speculation that the Iranian vessels decided to change course after Washington began strongly urging Venezuela to turn the ships away if they reached their port.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said that although he won't speculate on their destination, the United States is ready to lodge sanctions against any country engaging in weapon exchanges with Iran.

Two Iranian Warships In Atlantic Suspected To Be Shipping Weapons To Venezuela. - The United States has been watching two Iranian warships as they entered the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in history and continue on a path toward South America, suspected to be shipping weapons to Venezuela. Full story

Two Iranian Warships Have Rounded Africa's Cape Of Good Hope Looks To Be Headed For Atlantic And Venezuela - Two Iranian warships that have been heading toward the Atlantic ocean have now rounded Africa's Cape Of God Hope and have almost entered the Atlantic.

The United States has been tracking the Iranian ships, the Makran and Sahand new and modern warships. This would be the first time that Iranian ships have ever entered the Atlantic ocean. Reports suggest that the Iranian warships are likely wanting to offload weapon shipments to Venezuela.

19 Killed in 'pandemic' related protests in Columbia - 19 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Columbia as tens of thousands took to the streets to protest over skyrocketing poverty and unemployment rates as well as a new $6.4 billion dollar tax reform that would remove many deductions and put tax increases on businesses to cover 'pandemic', or rather 'lock-down' related losses.