The United States has begun transferring MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa to Colombia and Ecuador, according to The New York Times. The move expands the American military presence in South America in operations against narcotics trafficking and groups designated by Washington as terrorists.
The transfer was reported to the newspaper by two American officials. CNN had already revealed in September that the Pentagon planned to relocate part of the equipment to Southern Command.
The total number of drones has not yet been disclosed. Ecuador received two units, according to Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo. Colombia agreed to receive three and is evaluating purchasing a fourth aircraft.
Change of Priority
The move comes after the Trump administration placed Western Hemisphere defense among the Pentagon’s priorities.
MQ-9s can conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions and also carry weapons for precision strikes.
In Africa, the United States uses the model in operations against groups such as the Islamic State and Al-Shabaab. The withdrawal of aircraft from the region occurs despite the persistence of these threats.
The Reaper has also been used in high-profile operations, such as the strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
Colombia and Ecuador expanded their military cooperation with Washington this year. The two countries participate in U.S.-led initiatives against cartels and other criminal organizations, with intelligence sharing and joint operations.
The deployment of the drones represents a new stage of this strategy, by placing high-capacity military equipment directly in South American partner countries.
