DORAL, Florida — May 2, 2026 — U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has released video of its commander, Gen. Francis L. Donovan, urging greater cooperation in space to bolster partner nations’ defense capabilities and prevent adversaries from operating covertly in the Western Hemisphere.
In opening remarks at the Space Conference of the Americas 2026, held April 28–30 at SOUTHCOM headquarters in Doral, Florida, Gen. Donovan emphasized the strategic value of sharing Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data.
“Enhancing the sovereign defense capabilities of our partner nations to deny adversaries ‘the ability to operate in the shadows,’” Donovan stated, according to the official SOUTHCOM post that accompanied the video clip on X.
The three-day conference brought together senior military space leaders, space agencies, industry experts, and academics from 15 nations across the Western Hemisphere, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Additional participants included representatives from Canada, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and observer delegations from several other countries.
Gen. Donovan, who assumed command of SOUTHCOM in February 2026, highlighted space as the modern “high ground” essential for military superiority. He noted China’s expanding space infrastructure in the region through the Belt and Road Initiative and stressed the need for the U.S. and its partners to counter malign influences from both China and Russia.
“Together, we send an unmistakable message,” Donovan said. “To our partners, it is a message of shared responsibility. And to our adversaries, it’s a message of shared resolve.”
He also pointed to real-world applications, citing how the Ecuadorian military recently used a U.S. Space Force satellite system to locate and destroy three clandestine airfields operated by drug cartels.
“That is space power directly enabling ground-truth success,” Donovan said, adding that space capabilities are key to imposing “total systemic friction” on narco-terrorist networks
U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) Commander Gen. Stephen N. Whiting joined Donovan in addressing the conference, underscoring space’s role in addressing terrestrial threats such as narco-terrorism, illegal mining, and illegal fishing.
“We have a moral responsibility to provide space-enabled solutions to address the terrestrial threats that compromise our way of life,” Whiting said. He also warned of Russia’s reported plans to place a nuclear weapon in orbit, calling it a violation of the Outer Space Treaty.
The conference aimed to foster joint projects, data sharing, training, and responsible space activities while reinforcing diplomatic ties among participating nations.
SOUTHCOM’s May 1 news release and the accompanying X video highlight the growing emphasis on space domain awareness as a cornerstone of hemispheric security under Donovan’s leadership.
The full opening remarks are available via official U.S. military channels on DVIDS and the SOUTHCOM website.
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