Announcement from Gen. Francis L. Donovan on Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere activation, alongside Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard and Sgt. Maj. Kenne Hanson: "We will apply total systemic friction on these networks that threaten our homeland and our partners here in our shared region. And along with Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, our 18 other nations that all support the same effort, we will take the fight to the enemy. So today, we initiate the stand up of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, the action arm of U.S. Southern Command." — #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan @DeptofWar @SecWar @USMC @USArmy @USNavy @usairforce @WHAAsstSecty @USAenEspanol

General Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, announced the activation of Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere to coordinate military operations against transnational criminal networks in the region, operating in conjunction with the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition comprising 18 nations. The task force will serve as the operational arm of Southern Command to conduct direct action against cartel and criminal organizations threatening the United States and regional partners.