US US Army Plans AI-Based Military Force to Combat Cartels in Latin America
US will create an AI-based military force to combat cartels and strengthen Southern Command operations in Latin America and the Caribbean
The United States Army announced it will create a new autonomous military force based on artificial intelligence, an initiative that will be part of the reinforcement of Southern Command operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, with the goal of supporting various missions in the region and addressing challenges in several areas.
New Military Unit with Autonomous Systems and AI
According to a statement from Southern Command, the new command will focus on the use of autonomous, semi-autonomous, and unmanned platforms, integrated with artificial intelligence, with the goal of countering threats in different operational areas. The initiative seeks to link tactical missions with long-term strategic effects, strengthening the military's response capability in the region.
Objectives: Drug Trafficking and Crisis Response
The announcement was made by the commander of Southern Command, Francis L. Donovan, who explained that the new force's mission will be to dismantle and weaken narco-terrorist networks and cartel structures, as well as responding to crises stemming from large-scale natural disasters. The development of this unit will rely on artificial intelligence systems that will allow for greater operational autonomy. According to the US command, the goal is to improve operational capabilities from the seabed to space and the cyber environment. Donovan stated that the aim is to leverage the “superiority of the US defense ecosystem” through the deployment of technological innovations and greater cooperation with regional partners.
Military Modernization and Regional Coordination
The project falls under the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) initiative, spearheaded by the former US Department of Defense, now known as the Department of War. This initiative seeks to integrate artificial intelligence and autonomous systems into combat operations to modernize military capabilities.In a congressional hearing in March, Donovan stated that the goal is to deploy modernized and efficient forces within the Southern Command's area of ??influence to increase operational capability, data sharing, and coordination with allied forces.
The United States Southern Command is one of six unified commands of the U.S. Armed Forces, each with responsibility for a specific geographic region.