The Trump administration is reportedly expanding its use of military drones in South America, according to a recent report citing multiple sources. These drones, known as MQ-9 Reaper aircraft, are advanced unmanned aerial vehicles that cost about $56 million each. Primarily used for gathering intelligence, they can also carry out targeted attacks. Currently based in Africa, these drones are expected to be moved to the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Latin America. While the exact number of drones being relocated is not clear, one source suggested that most would be reassigned to South America, where the administration has aimed to increase U.S. influence. This shift comes as the U.S. military deals with the challenge of managing operations across several regions. In Africa, the focus remains on counterterrorism efforts, particularly against groups like ISIS. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, the loss of about 25 percent of the MQ-9 Reaper fleet—approximately 45 aircraft—during the Iran conflict has raised questions about the availability of these drones for other operations. Since returning to office, President Trump has emphasized a strategy to strengthen U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, a policy sometimes called the "Donroe Doctrine." This approach has included military actions, such as strikes against alleged drug trafficking vessels near South America, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 230 people. Earlier this year, U.S. special forces also captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during an operation in Caracas. To support these efforts, U.S. officials have worked to build military alliances with Latin American countries. During a visit to Panama in August, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised several nations—including Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, and Jamaica—for collaborating on operations targeting "narco-terrorists." In March, the Pentagon announced a joint operation with Ecuador against "narco-terrorism networks," but a later investigation by The New York Times found that the site bombed was not linked to drug trafficking but instead a small dairy and cattle farm. The U.S. has also sought legal backing for these operations, with the Justice Department previously drafting a legal opinion allowing military action against suspected drug traffickers if they pose an imminent threat to Americans. Recently, the U.S. has signed agreements with Colombia and Panama to deploy drones for surveillance against drug trafficking. However, the Pentagon has not officially commented on these developments.