PANAMA CITY – The commander of the United States Southern Command, General Francis L. Donovan, has called for stronger international cooperation to confront criminal organizations operating across the Western Hemisphere, arguing that no single country can effectively tackle transnational networks on its own.
Speaking from Panama, Donovan emphasized that criminal organizations increasingly operate across national borders and require a coordinated regional response.
“The fight against cartels and narcoterrorists in the Western Hemisphere requires the combined efforts and strength of committed nations,” Donovan said.
According to the U.S. military commander, that cooperation was demonstrated during PANAMAX 2026, a multinational exercise involving countries from across the region.
Donovan also highlighted the Coalition of the Americas Against Cartels Forum as another example of governments and security institutions working together to address transnational organized crime.
He thanked the Panamanian government and Minister of Public Security Frank Alexis Ábrego for co-hosting the two events.
PANAMAX brings together military and security personnel from participating countries to strengthen coordination and preparedness for regional security challenges. The exercise also provides an opportunity for participating nations to improve communication and cooperation across their respective institutions.
Donovan's comments underscore the U.S. Southern Command's emphasis on multinational partnerships in confronting criminal organizations whose activities extend across several countries.
Such organizations can operate international drug-trafficking routes, move money and resources across jurisdictions and use extensive logistical networks that make purely national responses more difficult.
The message from the U.S. Southern Command is that countries throughout the hemisphere will need to combine intelligence, capabilities and cooperation if they are to effectively counter criminal networks that do not respect national borders.