US Aims to Expand Military Partnerships in South America
2 Jan 2019
Military.com | By Oriana Pawlyk
U.S. officials have expressed concern in recent months that growing influence in the southern hemisphere from countries such as Russia and China may sideline regional stability. As a result, they are aiming to broaden military partnerships and alliances.
Before his departure Dec. 31, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis signaled the need to expand relationships with several nations in South America, becoming the first defense secretary since Chuck Hagel in 2014 to visit the region last August. (Ash Carter traveled to the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago for the 12th Conference of the Defense Ministers of the Americas in 2016, a meeting that focused on increased cooperation during natural disasters.)
https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2019/01/02/us-aims-expand-military-partnerships-south-america.html
