Pentagon reviews moving US troops from Europe to Americas amid cartel campaign

October 4, 2026 at 08:45 AM1 min

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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is reviewing a possible redeployment of troops from Europe to the Western Hemisphere as Washington expands its campaign against drug cartels. The six-month review, expected to conclude in December, aims to shift some conventional defense duties to NATO allies. Hegseth said the US is expanding military presence in Central and South America with partners including Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala and Panama.

Key Facts

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is reviewing a possible redeployment of troops from Europe to the Western Hemisphere.
The Pentagon's six-month review of US force deployment in Europe is expected to be completed in December.
Hegseth said the US is expanding military presence in Central and South America with partners including Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala and Panama.
Hegseth said Washington has new options for applying economic and military pressure.

Pentagon Review

The Pentagon is conducting a six-month review of the deployment of US forces in Europe. The review's goal is to hand over some conventional defense responsibilities to NATO allies. The review is expected to be completed in December. Hegseth's statement does not mean a redeployment decision has already been made.

Western Hemisphere Expansion

Hegseth said the United States is expanding its military presence in Central and South America. Partners include Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala and Panama. Washington has new options for applying economic and military pressure. As this strategy is implemented, opportunities arise to move troops elsewhere, bring them home to a large base, or send them to another location in the Western Hemisphere where terrorist organizations operate.