A massive tunnel was dug to funnel drugs and other contraband into the U.S. between Tijuana and San Diego. U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION THE WATCH STAFF As the United States secures operational control of its southern border, transnational criminal organizations (TCO) have adopted more sophisticated methods to evade added scrutiny and heightened enforcement on both sides of the 3,145-kilometer frontier in recent months. The U.S. Army now flies counter-drone surveillance along the border, which has been strengthened with about 10,000 troops under the control of U.S. Northern Command. On Mexico’s side, thousands of troops have been deployed to the…
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DIÁLOGO AMÈRICAS ILLUSTRATION DIÁLOGO AMÈRICAS Widely considered as one the most effective multinational strategies worldwide to combat drug trafficking, Colombia-led naval campaign Orion entered a new phase in 2025, with an expanded scope. Its investigative and operational centers now work continuously throughout the year to better support the periodic deployments. Since its 2018 inception, the Orion campaign has consolidated itself as a cornerstone strategy in the fight against narcotrafficking and related crimes. While its operations and results have received numerous media coverage, these successes rely heavily on the often unseen work of its supportive centers. These centers research offenses; coordinate…
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter conducts an underway replenishment alongside Military Sealift Command dry cargo ship USNS William Mclean as part of Cutlass Fury 2023. U.S. NAVY Canada led a weeklong naval and air exercise near Nova Scotia in June 2025 with participation of air and naval forces from Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States. Dubbed Cutlass Fury 2025, the annual war game aims to increase the compatibility between partner militaries as they defend the northeastern seaborne flank of North America. Halifax, the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), was a logistical hub for the…
Maj. Gen. Román Carmona Landa takes the oath to become the Mexican Air Force’s new commander on June 1, 2025, in Mexico City. GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO At a June 1, 2025, ceremony at the historic Glorieta de las Àguilas of the Military Camp No. 1-A “Gen. Àlvaro Obregón” in Mexico City, Maj. Gen. Pilot Aviator of the General Staff Román Carmona Landa donned a ceremonial sash in symbolic preparation for his new role: commander of the Mexican Air Force (FAM). He then took the oath of office, administered by the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Ministry…
The two new vessels will strengthen the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force’s emergency response and search and rescue capabilities. TURKS AND CAICOS GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) has significantly fortified its maritime security capabilities with the commissioning of two new patrol vessels and the addition of dozens of regional security officers and new training. The vessels were provided on May 15 through a joint initiative of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the U.K. Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the governor’s office and the RTCIPF. The Sea Challenger and Sea…
The Chinese Communist Party’ s influence in Latin America media coverage is growing and malignly influencing coverage of Beijing’s actions, media observers say. DIÁLOGO AMÈRICAS Diálogo Amèricas China’s influence over Latin American media and its journalists is expanding. To promote its interests and shape public opinion, China employs various strategies to spread its narrative and suppress criticism. In April, Chinese publishing group Caixin Media sponsored a summit organized by Brazilian economic newspaper Valor in Shanghai, Valor Brasil-China 2025, illustrating how Beijing uses this type of journalistic initiative to advance its political and economic agenda. According to Valor, the forum was not only “an…
The USS Cole recently deployed to the Caribbean region to support homeland defense efforts related to the Mexico-U.S. border and sea approaches. UNITED STATES NAVY SOUTH/4TH FLEET THE WATCH STAFF A United States Navy ship, which was recently deployed to the Caribbean region to support homeland defense efforts related to the Mexico-U.S. border and sea approaches, accepted a large seizure of contraband from a Royal Canadian Navy ship before transferring it onto a U.S. Coast Guard cutter in June 2025. The USS Cole, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, met up with His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) William Hall on June…
U.S. President Donald Trump signed three executive orders in June 2025 to defend the U.S. against malicious drones and bolster supersonic flights in the country. AFP/GETTY IMAGES REUTERS United States President Donald Trump in early June signed executive orders to bolster U.S. defenses against threatening drones and to boost electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft, the White House said. In the three executive orders, Trump sought to enable routine use of drones beyond the visual sight of operators — a key step to enabling commercial drone deliveries — and reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese drone companies as well as advance testing of…
The guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely intercepted a vessel in the Caribbean Sea in May 2025, confiscating a $13.7 million shipment of cocaine. A U.S. Coast Guard law-enforcement detachment embedded on the Gravely boarded the vessel and executed the bust. The operation was the latest success in a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) effort to stem illegal trafficking in the southern approaches to the United States. The Gravely and P-8 Poseidon U.S Navy planes spotted the vessel on May 25 and quickly apprehended it. On board, Coast Guardsmen found 19 bales of cocaine weighing more than 400 kilograms, according to multiple…
The Dutch government identified a Russian hacking ring named Laundry Bear as being responsible for cyberattacks on the Dutch police, NATO and several European countries in late May 2025. AFP/GETTY IMAGES REUTERS A previously unknown Russian hacking group was behind attacks last year on the networks of the Dutch police, NATO and several European countries, Dutch intelligence agencies said in late May 2025. The group, nicknamed Laundry Bear by the security agencies, most likely was supported by the Russian state, the Dutch General Intelligence Agency and Military Agency said in a joint letter to Parliament on May 27. “The cyberattacks…