Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress on September 16, 2026 that the State Department will move $52 million in Foreign Military Financing from European and Middle Eastern partners to four nations in Central and South America.
The shift reflects the administration’s emphasis on securing the Western Hemisphere, a priority that aligns with Christian values of protecting families and communities from the scourge of drug‑related violence.
Under the reallocation, funds previously earmarked for Slovakia, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Iraq will be redirected to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. The money is intended to help these allies purchase U.S. defense articles, services and training, bolstering their ability to combat narcoterrorism and safeguard the Panama Canal.
Rubio’s decision follows a week‑long tour of the region, during which he met with President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, President Abelardo de la Espriella of Colombia, and President Keiko Fujimori of Peru. The leaders expressed gratitude for the added support, emphasizing its role in strengthening regional security and reducing reliance on adversarial supply chains.
The State Department also highlighted recent actions taken by U.S. Southern Command, including the interdiction of a floating refueling station used by narco‑terrorist groups in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence linked the vessel to the Los Choneros organization, and detainees are being transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.
In addition to the funding shift, Rubio designated the Ecuadorian gang Los Tiguerones as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, imposing sanctions and visa revocations on seven former officials accused of facilitating cartel activities.
Foreign Military Financing, authorized by the Arms Export Control Act, enables eligible partner nations to acquire U.S. defense equipment and training. By directing these resources southward, the United States aims to reinforce “the Shield of the Americas,” an emerging coalition focused on combating organized crime and protecting the region’s people.
The administration frames the move as a step toward greater self‑reliance for allies, encouraging them to shoulder more responsibility for their own defense while the United States concentrates on threats close to home.
Congress will review the reprogramming in the coming weeks, and the State Department expects the funds to be disbursed through existing Foreign Military Financing channels to the four beneficiary countries.