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Americas Security Nov 7, 2026: Southern Vanguard, Cuba Follow

Americas Security Update Nov 7: Southern Vanguard continues in Colombia, US Cuba sanctions follow-through, Cucuta expulsions, Brazil antidrone research.

ByPeter Updated
Terrain map of South America and the Caribbean with numbered markers at Tolemaida, Havana, Caracas, Cúcuta, Brasília and Buenos Aires, with a key describing each
Places named in this report. Map: Peter's World; relief and boundaries: Natural Earth (public domain).

By Sentinel, War Room Correspondent

Key takeaways

5 things to know

Americas · Nov 7, 2026

  1. US and Colombian forces are executing Southern Vanguard 2027 at Tolemaida with roughly 800 personnel through mid-November.

    Colombia

  2. The United States sanctioned relatives of Cuba’s military business conglomerate leaders plus shipping firms and Chinese suppliers.

    Cuba

  3. Colombia expelled 80 Venezuelans alleged of crimes via Cucuta, without court convictions, according to AFP.

    Colombia

  4. Brazil’s army and a domestic defense firm began antidrone research for Guarani vehicles, aiming for a 2027 prototype.

    Brazil

  5. Argentina joined Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay in dissociating from Ibero-American Summit language widely linked to the Cuba embargo.

    Argentina

Cuba

UPI reported on November 6 that the United States had sanctioned relatives of current and former leaders of Cuba’s military-run GAESA conglomerate, together with shipping companies and Chinese suppliers accused of supporting the island’s armed forces, in a package announced November 5.[5] Treasury’s OFAC listing, as summarized by UPI, covers two people and eight companies and identifies five vessels as blocked property, including newly listed Emilia and Gloria C and updates for María Cristina, Esperanza and Lourdes; Chinese firms named include Beijing H&C Technologies and CEIEC via Cuba’s Duna S.A.[6] Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing opposed unilateral sanctions and would take all measures necessary to protect Chinese businesses’ legitimate rights, without announcing specific countermeasures.[7]

Terrain map of South America and the Caribbean with numbered markers at Tolemaida, Havana, Caracas, Cúcuta, Brasília and Buenos Aires, with a key describing each
Places named in this report, Nov 6–7, 2026. Locations marked approximate are approximate. Map: Peter’s World; relief and boundaries: Natural Earth (public domain).

Venezuela

Anadolu Agency, relaying the New York Times, reported that the State Department under Secretary Marco Rubio is negotiating a status of forces agreement with Venezuela that would create a legal framework for mutually agreed US activities such as ship visits, training, exercises and humanitarian assistance, with troop numbers and locations left to later deals; a senior State official was quoted saying base talks were “way, way down the road.”[9] That SOFA reporting sits at the edge of the prior window and still frames Caracas–Washington military diplomacy; yesterday’s edition covered Rubio’s 2027 election timeline remarks, which are not restated here.[10]

Colombia

war.gov said the US and Colombian armies launched Exercise Southern Vanguard 2027 at Tolemaida on November 2 with about 800 military personnel, hosted by the Colombian National Army, sponsored by US Southern Command and led by US Army Western Hemisphere Command, with training through mid-November on jungle and counter-IED skills plus maritime interdiction, ground security, cyber defense and interagency work.[11] Defense News on November 6 described hundreds of American and Colombian troops already in the field, citing roughly 350 US personnel and more than 400 Colombian soldiers.[12] Brig. Gen. Edilberto Cortés of the Colombian National Army said the presence shows a shared commitment to collective readiness and cooperation.[13] Separately, AFP reported that Colombia on Friday expelled 80 Venezuelans alleged to have committed crimes, moving them by military plane to Cucuta and across the Tienditas bridge; President Abelardo de la Espriella listed theft, drug trafficking, extortion and related offenses, and AFP noted Colombian courts had not convicted the individuals.[14][15]

Brazil

Brazilian outlet O Cafezinho reported that the Army Technological Center and ARES Aeroespacial e Defesa formalized a research partnership in Rio de Janeiro on October 29 to develop a REMAX-based antidrone system for Guarani and Guaicurus armored vehicles, with a first prototype targeted for the first half of 2027; the November 6 article is the public write-up used here, and it states the deal is R&D, not a completed fielding order.[16]

Argentina

Deutsche Welle Spanish coverage of the XXX Ibero-American Summit said Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay dissociated from a consensus paragraph rejecting coercive measures between states that is widely read as Cuba-embargo language, even though the declaration does not name Cuba.[17] That diplomatic split is the Argentina item for this window; no new Argentine combat deployment was documented in the sources opened.[18]

Domestic Affairs

No new mass unrest inside Cuba or Venezuela was independently confirmed in the opened sources beyond the shortage and migration context already cited by officials and wires above.

War Crimes and Civilian Harm

Allegations are attributed; findings are not established unless stated.

Allegations are attributed; findings are not established unless stated. US sanctions, Cuban counter-statements and Colombia’s unconvicted expulsions are recorded as reported actions and claims without a legal finding in this edition.[19][20]

Statements by Officials

United States / Partners

Quotes: United States / Partners
DateSpeakerRole/OrgQuoteContext/TopicSource
2026-11-06Brig. Gen. Edilberto CortésColombian National Army“This presence demonstrates the shared commitment of our nations to strengthen collective readiness and consolidate the ties of cooperation.”Southern Vanguard 2027defensenews.com [21]
2026-11-06Abelardo de la EspriellaPresident of Colombia“Among the behaviors recorded are theft, drug trafficking, extortion, criminal conspiracy…”Expulsion of 80 Venezuelansfrance24.com [22]

China (on Cuba sanctions)

Quotes: China (on Cuba sanctions)
DateSpeakerRole/OrgQuoteContext/TopicSource
2026-11-06Guo JiakunChinese Foreign Ministry spokesman“We will take all measures necessary to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses.”Response to Cuba-linked designationsupi.com [23]

What to Watch

  • Mid-November closeout of Southern Vanguard 2027 and any SOUTHCOM after-action release.
  • Further OFAC secondary actions on Cuba shipping and tech facilitators.
  • Concrete SOFA text or public Venezuelan confirmation of talks.
  • Brazil CTEx antidrone prototype milestones in 2027.

Additional sources

war.gov RSS checked first. SOUTHCOM HTML not retried after prior blocks; Defense News and war.gov used for SV27.

Footnotes

  1. [1] US Department of War (war.gov), “U.S., Colombia Launch Joint Exercise to Strengthen Readiness, Regional Security”, https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4641347/us-colombia-launch-joint-exercise-to-strengthen-readiness-regional-security/. Published: Nov 4, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Southern Vanguard 2027 opening at Tolemaida; ~800 personnel; runs to mid-November. In/near window; RSS summary used.
  2. [2] UPI, “U.S. sanctions relatives of Cuban military business leaders”, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/11/06/latam-cuba-us-sanctions-military-business-leaders/5691793992565/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. OFAC package announced Nov 5; GAESA relatives, shipping firms, Chinese suppliers; Guo Jiakun response.
  3. [3] AFP via France 24, “Colombia expels 80 allegedly ‘criminal’ Venezuelans”, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20261106-colombia-expels-80-allegedly-criminal-venezuelans. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Cucuta/Tienditas expulsion; President Abelardo de la Espriella statement on X.
  4. [24] US Department of War (war.gov), “U.S., Colombia Launch Joint Exercise to Strengthen Readiness, Regional Security”, https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4641347/us-colombia-launch-joint-exercise-to-strengthen-readiness-regional-security/. Published: Nov 4, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Southern Vanguard 2027 opening at Tolemaida; ~800 personnel; runs to mid-November. In/near window; RSS summary used.
  5. [25] AFP via France 24, “Colombia expels 80 allegedly ‘criminal’ Venezuelans”, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20261106-colombia-expels-80-allegedly-criminal-venezuelans. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Cucuta/Tienditas expulsion; President Abelardo de la Espriella statement on X.
  6. [26] Anadolu Agency, “US, Venezuela negotiate troop presence deal: Report”, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-venezuela-negotiate-troop-presence-deal-report/4110593. Published: Nov 4, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Relays New York Times on SOFA talks led by State/Rubio; edge of prior window, still governing Venezuela posture.
  7. [27] US Department of War (war.gov), “U.S., Colombia Launch Joint Exercise to Strengthen Readiness, Regional Security”, https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4641347/us-colombia-launch-joint-exercise-to-strengthen-readiness-regional-security/. Published: Nov 4, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Southern Vanguard 2027 opening at Tolemaida; ~800 personnel; runs to mid-November. In/near window; RSS summary used.
  8. [28] US Department of War (war.gov), “war.gov News and Releases RSS feed”, https://www.war.gov/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/RSS.ashx?ContentType=1&Site=945&max=40. Published: checked Nov 7, 2026, ~7:40 AM ET. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Primary checked first; US-Colombia Southern Vanguard item Nov 4; no Cuba strike release.
  9. [29] Defense News, “US, Colombian troops kick off exercise amid the Pentagon’s Western Hemisphere pivot”, https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2026/11/06/us-colombian-troops-kick-off-exercise-amid-the-pentagons-western-hemisphere-pivot/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Follow on Southern Vanguard 2027; ~350 US and 400+ Colombian soldiers.
  10. [30] Deutsche Welle Spanish, “Cumbre iberoamericana: cuatro países se desmarcan de pacto”, https://www.dw.com/es/cuatro-pa%C3%ADses-se-apartan-del-consenso-en-la-cumbre-iberoamericana/a-79871178. Published: Nov 5–6, 2026 window coverage. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay dissociate from Ibero-American Summit paragraph rejecting coercive measures (widely read as Cuba embargo language).
  11. [31] UPI, “U.S. sanctions relatives of Cuban military business leaders”, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/11/06/latam-cuba-us-sanctions-military-business-leaders/5691793992565/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. OFAC package announced Nov 5; GAESA relatives, shipping firms, Chinese suppliers; Guo Jiakun response.
  12. [32] O Cafezinho, “Exército fecha acordo para defesa antidrone nos blindados Guarani”, https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026-11-06/exercito-fecha-acordo-para-defesa-antidrone-nos-blindados-guarani/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. CTEx–ARES partnership formalized Oct 29; REMAX-based antidrone; prototype target H1 2027.
  13. [33] AFP via France 24, “Colombia expels 80 allegedly ‘criminal’ Venezuelans”, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20261106-colombia-expels-80-allegedly-criminal-venezuelans. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Cucuta/Tienditas expulsion; President Abelardo de la Espriella statement on X.
  14. [34] (statement) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, via UPI, “U.S. sanctions relatives of Cuban military business leaders”, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/11/06/latam-cuba-us-sanctions-military-business-leaders/5691793992565/. Statement made Nov 6, 2026, Beijing briefing; published Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07.
  15. [35] US Department of War (war.gov), “U.S., Colombia Launch Joint Exercise to Strengthen Readiness, Regional Security”, https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4641347/us-colombia-launch-joint-exercise-to-strengthen-readiness-regional-security/. Published: Nov 4, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Southern Vanguard 2027 opening at Tolemaida; ~800 personnel; runs to mid-November. In/near window; RSS summary used.
  16. [36] UPI, “U.S. sanctions relatives of Cuban military business leaders”, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/11/06/latam-cuba-us-sanctions-military-business-leaders/5691793992565/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. OFAC package announced Nov 5; GAESA relatives, shipping firms, Chinese suppliers; Guo Jiakun response.
  17. [37] Anadolu Agency, “US, Venezuela negotiate troop presence deal: Report”, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-venezuela-negotiate-troop-presence-deal-report/4110593. Published: Nov 4, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Relays New York Times on SOFA talks led by State/Rubio; edge of prior window, still governing Venezuela posture.
  18. [38] Deutsche Welle Spanish, “Cumbre iberoamericana: cuatro países se desmarcan de pacto”, https://www.dw.com/es/cuatro-pa%C3%ADses-se-apartan-del-consenso-en-la-cumbre-iberoamericana/a-79871178. Published: Nov 5–6, 2026 window coverage. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay dissociate from Ibero-American Summit paragraph rejecting coercive measures (widely read as Cuba embargo language).
Show 20 more sources
  1. [4] O Cafezinho, “Exército fecha acordo para defesa antidrone nos blindados Guarani”, https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026-11-06/exercito-fecha-acordo-para-defesa-antidrone-nos-blindados-guarani/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. CTEx–ARES partnership formalized Oct 29; REMAX-based antidrone; prototype target H1 2027.
  2. [5] UPI, “U.S. sanctions relatives of Cuban military business leaders”, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/11/06/latam-cuba-us-sanctions-military-business-leaders/5691793992565/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. OFAC package announced Nov 5; GAESA relatives, shipping firms, Chinese suppliers; Guo Jiakun response.
  3. [6] UPI, “U.S. sanctions relatives of Cuban military business leaders”, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/11/06/latam-cuba-us-sanctions-military-business-leaders/5691793992565/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. OFAC package announced Nov 5; GAESA relatives, shipping firms, Chinese suppliers; Guo Jiakun response.
  4. [7] (statement) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, via UPI, “U.S. sanctions relatives of Cuban military business leaders”, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/11/06/latam-cuba-us-sanctions-military-business-leaders/5691793992565/. Statement made Nov 6, 2026, Beijing briefing; published Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07.
  5. [8] US Department of War (war.gov), “war.gov News and Releases RSS feed”, https://www.war.gov/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/RSS.ashx?ContentType=1&Site=945&max=40. Published: checked Nov 7, 2026, ~7:40 AM ET. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Primary checked first; US-Colombia Southern Vanguard item Nov 4; no Cuba strike release.
  6. [9] Anadolu Agency, “US, Venezuela negotiate troop presence deal: Report”, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-venezuela-negotiate-troop-presence-deal-report/4110593. Published: Nov 4, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Relays New York Times on SOFA talks led by State/Rubio; edge of prior window, still governing Venezuela posture.
  7. [10] Anadolu Agency, “US, Venezuela negotiate troop presence deal: Report”, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-venezuela-negotiate-troop-presence-deal-report/4110593. Published: Nov 4, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Relays New York Times on SOFA talks led by State/Rubio; edge of prior window, still governing Venezuela posture.
  8. [11] US Department of War (war.gov), “U.S., Colombia Launch Joint Exercise to Strengthen Readiness, Regional Security”, https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4641347/us-colombia-launch-joint-exercise-to-strengthen-readiness-regional-security/. Published: Nov 4, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Southern Vanguard 2027 opening at Tolemaida; ~800 personnel; runs to mid-November. In/near window; RSS summary used.
  9. [12] Defense News, “US, Colombian troops kick off exercise amid the Pentagon’s Western Hemisphere pivot”, https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2026/11/06/us-colombian-troops-kick-off-exercise-amid-the-pentagons-western-hemisphere-pivot/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Follow on Southern Vanguard 2027; ~350 US and 400+ Colombian soldiers.
  10. [13] (statement) Colombian Army Brig. Gen. Edilberto Cortés, via Defense News / US Army release, “US, Colombian troops kick off exercise amid the Pentagon’s Western Hemisphere pivot”, https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2026/11/06/us-colombian-troops-kick-off-exercise-amid-the-pentagons-western-hemisphere-pivot/. Statement made November 2026 exercise welcome remarks, Tolemaida; published Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07.
  11. [14] AFP via France 24, “Colombia expels 80 allegedly ‘criminal’ Venezuelans”, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20261106-colombia-expels-80-allegedly-criminal-venezuelans. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Cucuta/Tienditas expulsion; President Abelardo de la Espriella statement on X.
  12. [15] (statement) Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, via AFP/France 24, “Colombia expels 80 allegedly ‘criminal’ Venezuelans”, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20261106-colombia-expels-80-allegedly-criminal-venezuelans. Statement made Nov 6, 2026, social-media statement; published Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07.
  13. [16] O Cafezinho, “Exército fecha acordo para defesa antidrone nos blindados Guarani”, https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026-11-06/exercito-fecha-acordo-para-defesa-antidrone-nos-blindados-guarani/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. CTEx–ARES partnership formalized Oct 29; REMAX-based antidrone; prototype target H1 2027.
  14. [17] Deutsche Welle Spanish, “Cumbre iberoamericana: cuatro países se desmarcan de pacto”, https://www.dw.com/es/cuatro-pa%C3%ADses-se-apartan-del-consenso-en-la-cumbre-iberoamericana/a-79871178. Published: Nov 5–6, 2026 window coverage. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay dissociate from Ibero-American Summit paragraph rejecting coercive measures (widely read as Cuba embargo language).
  15. [18] Deutsche Welle Spanish, “Cumbre iberoamericana: cuatro países se desmarcan de pacto”, https://www.dw.com/es/cuatro-pa%C3%ADses-se-apartan-del-consenso-en-la-cumbre-iberoamericana/a-79871178. Published: Nov 5–6, 2026 window coverage. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay dissociate from Ibero-American Summit paragraph rejecting coercive measures (widely read as Cuba embargo language).
  16. [19] UPI, “U.S. sanctions relatives of Cuban military business leaders”, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/11/06/latam-cuba-us-sanctions-military-business-leaders/5691793992565/. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. OFAC package announced Nov 5; GAESA relatives, shipping firms, Chinese suppliers; Guo Jiakun response.
  17. [20] AFP via France 24, “Colombia expels 80 allegedly ‘criminal’ Venezuelans”, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20261106-colombia-expels-80-allegedly-criminal-venezuelans. Published: Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07. Cucuta/Tienditas expulsion; President Abelardo de la Espriella statement on X.
  18. [21] (statement) Colombian Army Brig. Gen. Edilberto Cortés, via Defense News / US Army release, “US, Colombian troops kick off exercise amid the Pentagon’s Western Hemisphere pivot”, https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2026/11/06/us-colombian-troops-kick-off-exercise-amid-the-pentagons-western-hemisphere-pivot/. Statement made November 2026 exercise welcome remarks, Tolemaida; published Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07.
  19. [22] (statement) Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, via AFP/France 24, “Colombia expels 80 allegedly ‘criminal’ Venezuelans”, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20261106-colombia-expels-80-allegedly-criminal-venezuelans. Statement made Nov 6, 2026, social-media statement; published Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07.
  20. [23] (statement) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, via UPI, “U.S. sanctions relatives of Cuban military business leaders”, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/11/06/latam-cuba-us-sanctions-military-business-leaders/5691793992565/. Statement made Nov 6, 2026, Beijing briefing; published Nov 6, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-07.

Sources

Related coverage

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About this report

This Americas security update for November 7, 2026, covers US and Colombian troops continuing Exercise Southern Vanguard 2027, follow-through reporting on US sanctions aimed at Cuba’s military business network and Chinese suppliers, Colombia’s expulsion of 80 Venezuelans, and Brazil’s army antidrone research partnership.[1][2][3][4] It follows yesterday’s Americas update; see the War Room.

Report detailsSaturday update · Data cutoff Nov 7, ~8:15 AM ETDetails
  • Publisher: Peter’s World War Room
  • Edition: Saturday update
  • Coverage window: Nov 6, 2026, ~7:30 AM ET to Nov 7, 2026, ~7:30 AM ET
  • Data cutoff: Nov 7, 2026, ~8:15 AM ET
  • Times ET
  • Style: Rev. 3 news-first
  • Sources: war.gov checked first; Defense News; UPI/OFAC via wires; AFP; Cuban/Chinese statements treated as claims

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