U.S. Relocates MQ-9 Reaper Drones from Africa to Latin America

The United States plans to redeploy MQ-9 Reaper UAVs from Africa to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

The decision was made as part of an expansion of military and anti-drug operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, CNN reports.

Most of the UAVs currently deployed in Africa will be redeployed to conduct intelligence-gathering missions and strikes against drug cartels and terrorist groups.

Ecuador and Colombia have been identified as the main areas, and both have agreed to conduct joint military operations with the United States.

The redeployment of aircraft could complicate operations against ISIS and al-Shabaab, which remain active in Africa.

In addition, the United States has begun withdrawing about 200 personnel from combat units in Nigeria.

Colombia has also received three MQ-9A Reaper UAVs on a temporary basis to monitor drug trafficking routes.

Colombia has joined the U.S.-led Americas Counter Cartel Coalition in the Americas, becoming its 19th member.

In recent months, more than 200 people have been killed in U.S. strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

The United States is also considering sending some of the UAVs to the Middle East to offset losses.

As of April, the United States had lost 24 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs during combat operations against Iran, eight of them shot down in the first few days of the month. Financial losses were estimated at about $700 million.

These UAVs are used to strike a wide range of targets, from Iranian airfields and ballistic missile launchers to ships and air defense systems.