--- title: "Hegseth attends A3C forum in Panama as Colombia joins US-led drug coalition" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/hegseth-attends-a3c-forum-in-panama-as-colombia-joins-us-led-drug-coalition" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/hegseth-attends-a3c-forum-in-panama-as-colombia-joins-us-led-drug-coalition" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/hegseth-attends-a3c-forum-in-panama-as-colombia-joins-us-led-drug-coalition.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/hegseth-attends-a3c-forum-in-panama-as-colombia-joins-us-led-drug-coalition" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "Latin America" published: "2026-08-12T21:46:33.115Z" source_reported: "2026-08-12T21:26:46.665Z" updated: "2026-08-12T21:46:33.115Z" trust_score: 74 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-12T21:45:23.267707+00:00" --- # Hegseth attends A3C forum in Panama as Colombia joins US-led drug coalition *US Defence Secretary met Panama’s president and observed joint military exercises during the regional security summit* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 74 of 100, higher is better. Infobae cites a Department of War communiqué, quotes officials and WOLA data, providing named sources and specific figures. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. The article explains the visit’s security context, includes multiple quotes, specific dates and figures, and outlines next steps. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Language is factual and restrained; no sensational adjectives or clickbait headlines are present. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the A3C forum in Panama on 12 August 2026, where Colombia’s government authorised joint military operations with the US against drug trafficking. - The A3C coalition, formed under the Shield of the Americas framework, includes about 20 countries and serves as the operational arm of US Southern Command. - Hegseth met Panama’s president and observed joint military exercises, including Panamax 2026, focused on defending the Panama Canal. - Colombia’s participation follows the election of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged to strengthen anti-narcotics cooperation with the US. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth travelled to Panama on 12 August 2026 to attend the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) forum. The coalition, formed under the Shield of the Americas framework, is led by the US and includes about 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. It serves as the operational arm of US Southern Command. Hegseth’s visit followed Colombia’s decision to join the coalition. Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, authorised joint military operations with the US against drug trafficking. Panama’s Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, said the coalition must move from political discourse to unified action against criminal organisations involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. During the visit, Hegseth met Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino and observed joint military exercises, including the Curso de Operaciones en la Selva and Panamax 2026. The latter is a multinational exercise focused on defending the Panama Canal. Hegseth also visited the Cristóbal Colón Naval Air Base. ## What the reports disagree on The reports differ on the name of the US department responsible for the visit. Infobae referred to it as the "Department of Guerra," while other outlets used "Department of Defense" or did not specify. The reports also vary in describing the coalition’s membership: Infobae listed 18 countries, while other outlets described it as including about 20. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned the 221 deaths reported by WOLA from Operation Lanza del Sur. The centre-rated digests also omitted this figure. None of the digests from the right or centre quoted Panama’s Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, or described the coalition as part of the Trump administration’s hemispheric security policy, as Infobae did. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 11% (1) - Centre: 45% (4) - Right: 44% (4) 5 of 14 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-12T21:45:23.267707+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-12T22:00:38.340Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated report from Infobae led on the US offensive against drug trafficking and the security of the Panama Canal. It quoted Panama’s Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, who warned that criminal organisations combine drug trafficking with money laundering, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. The report also cited WOLA’s figure of 221 deaths resulting from Operation Lanza del Sur, which targeted over 60 vessels. - Infobae described the coalition as part of the Trump administration’s hemispheric security policy and noted Colombia’s participation under President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged to strengthen anti-narcotics cooperation with the US. The report included details of Hegseth’s meetings with Panamanian and Colombian officials and his observation of joint military exercises. ### Centre - The centre-rated digests led on Colombia’s authorisation of joint military operations with the US. ANSA reported that Hegseth announced Colombia’s request and authorisation for such operations. The Hill and WTVB focused on Hegseth’s attendance at the A3C forum and his meeting with Panama’s president. TVN mentioned Hegseth’s previous visit to Panama in April 2025 and his participation in the Central American Security Conference. - The centre-rated reports did not mention the number of deaths from Operation Lanza del Sur or the specific criminal activities of the organisations targeted by the coalition. They also did not quote Panama’s Minister of Public Security or describe the coalition as part of the Trump administration’s policy. ### Right - The right-rated digests led on Colombia’s inclusion in the coalition following the election of President Abelardo de la Espriella. The Straits Times and ussanews.com reported Hegseth’s welcome of Colombia into the coalition. BioBioChile focused on Hegseth’s visit to Panama to strengthen regional cooperation against drug trafficking, framing it as a priority for the Trump administration. The Epoch Times carried a live broadcast of Hegseth’s speech at the A3C conference. - None of the right-rated digests mentioned the number of deaths from Operation Lanza del Sur or the specific criminal activities described by Panama’s Minister of Public Security. They also did not quote Ábrego or describe the coalition as part of the Trump administration’s hemispheric security policy. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - mixed: 1 - high: 7 - unknown: 5 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [gaceta.es](https://gaceta.es/iberosfera/el-gobierno-de-colombia-solicita-cooperacion-militar-a-eeuu-para-hacer-frente-al-narcoterrorismo-20260812-2337) — The Colombian Government Requests Military Cooperation From the US to Combat Drug Trafficking and Terrorism. - [ANSA](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2026/08/12/hegseth-colombia-autorizza-operazioni-militari-congiunte-al-narcotraffico_1d621af4-1a44-46ea-969a-82ea4f78a483.html) — Hegseth, 'Colombia Authorizes Joint Military Operations to Drug Trafficking' - [El Tiempo](https://eltiempo.com/mundo/eeuu-y-canada/colombia-pidio-a-washington-realizar-operaciones-militares-conjuntas-contra-el-terrorismo-afirma-el-secretario-de-defensa-de-ee-uu-pete-hegseth-3577945) — Colombia Asked Washington to Conduct Joint Military Operations Against Terrorism, Says U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/hegseth-welcomes-colombia-to-counter-drug-alliance-after-its-election) — Hegseth welcomes Colombia to counter-drug alliance after its election - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/12/hegseth-welcomes-colombia-to-counter-drug-alliance-after-its-election) — Hegseth welcomes Colombia to counter-drug alliance after its election - [ussanews.com](https://ussanews.com/2026/08/12/live-war-secy-hegseth-speaks-aqt-a3c-conference-in-panama) — WAR SECY HEGSETH SPEAKS AQT A3C CONFERENCE IN PANAMA - [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/epochtv/live-now-war-secretary-hegseth-speaks-at-americas-counter-cartel-coalition-conference-in-panama-6074300) — LIVE NOW: War Secretary Hegseth Speaks at Americas Counter Cartel Coalition Conference in Panama - [TVN](https://tvn-2.com/nacionales/pete-hegseth-estados-unidos-secretario-de-guerra-agenda-oficial-ejercicios-panamax_1_2255532.html) — U.S. Secretary of War Arrives in Panama: What Does Your Official Agenda Contemplate? - [BioBioChile](https://biobiochile.cl/noticias/internacional/america-latina/2026/08/11/con-la-participacion-de-chile-paises-del-escudo-de-las-americas-se-reunen-este-miercoles-en-panama.shtml) — With the Participation of Chile, Countries of the Shield of the Americas Meet This Wednesday in Panama - [Infobae](https://infobae.com/estados-unidos/2026/08/12/pete-hegseth-visitara-panama-para-reforzar-la-ofensiva-de-estados-unidos-contra-el-narco-y-la-seguridad-del-canal) — Pete Hegseth to Visit Panama to Strengthen the U.S. Offensive Against Drug Trafficking and Canal Security · Global Voices - [Proceso Digital](https://proceso.hn/la-coalicion-contra-los-carteles-de-las-americas-impulsada-por-eeuu-se-reune-en-panama) — U.S.-Led Coalition Against Posters of the Americas Meets in Panama · Global Voices - [oem.com.mx](https://oem.com.mx/elsoldemexico/mundo/coalicion-contra-los-carteles-de-las-americas-impulsada-por-eu-se-reune-en-panama-31530014) — US-Led Coalition Against Posters of the Americas Meets in Panama - Mexico's Sun - [The Hill](https://thehill.com/policy/defense/6023278-hegseth-panama-trip-defense) — Hegseth travels to Panama as US deepens defense cooperation - [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/internacionales/jefe-pentagono-acude-miercoles-panama-foro-coalicion-escudo-americas-20260811-827749.html) — Pentagon Chief Goes to a Forum of the Shield of the Americas Coalition in Panama Wednesday ## Questions **What is the A3C coalition?** The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) is a US-led military coalition of about 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. It serves as the operational arm of US Southern Command and was formed under the Shield of the Americas framework to combat drug trafficking and organised crime. **Why did Colombia join the A3C coalition?** Colombia joined the A3C coalition after its new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, authorised joint military operations with the US against drug trafficking. De la Espriella has pledged to strengthen anti-narcotics cooperation with the Trump administration. **What did Pete Hegseth do during his visit to Panama?** During his visit to Panama on 12 August 2026, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the A3C forum, met Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, and observed joint military exercises, including Panamax 2026, which focuses on defending the Panama Canal. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/hegseth-attends-a3c-forum-in-panama-as-colombia-joins-us-led-drug-coalition. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Hegseth attends A3C forum in Panama as Colombia joins US-led drug coalition", https://mediabias.news/conflict/hegseth-attends-a3c-forum-in-panama-as-colombia-joins-us-led-drug-coalition