Hemisphere security cooperation drives the agenda as defense leaders from thirty nations meet in Washington this week. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine convened the summit after Mexican cartel drones breached American airspace near El Paso. The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily closed El Paso International Airport in response to the incident. Therefore, War Secretary Pete Hegseth opened the conference with a call for regional unity. However, he insisted that American security requires partnership throughout the Western Hemisphere. Hegseth urged allies to deny criminal networks any safe harbor. His remarks focused on shared threats that ignore national borders.
The El Paso drone incursion provided immediate relevance for the discussions. Department of War officials confirmed they deployed counter-drone measures against the cartel aircraft. Moreover, this incident represents the growing sophistication of transnational criminal organizations. Cartels now employ unmanned systems for surveillance and smuggling operations. Defense leaders therefore prioritized counter-drone coordination during summit sessions.
Southern Command chief Gen. Francis Donovan pressed regional partners for expanded intelligence sharing. Furthermore, he emphasized that drug trafficking networks operate across multiple countries simultaneously. These organizations use encrypted communications and advanced maritime smuggling routes. Traditional law enforcement cannot defeat these networks alone. Military cooperation must adapt to these rapidly evolving threats.
Northern Command leader Gen. Gregory Guillot addressed Arctic security concerns during the afternoon session. Also, he highlighted increased Russian and Chinese activity in northern latitudes. Greenland’s strategic location figured prominently in these discussions. Denmark, Britain and France all received invitations due to their hemisphere territory. The Arctic represents an emerging frontier for great power competition.
The January capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro shaped broader conversations. American forces conducted a high-stakes operation that brought Maduro to United States custody. Therefore, he now faces federal drug trafficking charges in federal court. This operation demonstrated American willingness to act decisively against regional threats. Several allies expressed cautious support for this more assertive American posture.
General Caine announced plans for regular Western Hemisphere defense consultations following this summit. Future meetings will rotate among participating nations across the region. The hemisphere security cooperation framework now includes concrete operational follow-up assignments. Defense leaders departed the first day with specific action items. The El Paso drone incident ultimately accelerated this unprecedented regional alignment. American officials hope the collaborative momentum continues well beyond Washington.
