MISSION

Commander, Marine Forces, South (COMMARFORSOUTH), serves as the U.S. Marine Corps Service Component Commander for Commander, U.S. Southern Command (CDRUSSOUTHCOM), commands assigned or attached Marine Corps forces; engages CDRUSOUTHCOM and his/her staff to set conditions for Marine Forces most effective employment and sustainment; conducts planning in support of U.S SOUTHERN COMMAND (USSOUTHCOM) operations, exercises and theater engagements; advises CDRUSSOUTHCOM, other Component Commanders, and Task Force Commanders on the capabilities and proper employment of U.S. Marine Corps forces; and validates and facilitates the deployment, sustainment and redeployment of all designated forces in order to ensure the effective employment and support of assigned, allocated, and apportioned Marine Forces in the USSOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility

news / PHOTOS

U.S. Marines and Panamanians graduate from combined jungle course

Leadership, instructors, and students from across the Joint Security Cooperation Group - Panama, U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division, Panamanian National Border Service, National Aeronaval Service, and Panamanian National Police, pose for a photo at a graduation ceremony after a jungle orientation course at Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 22, 2025. The course consisted of teachings from a combined team of jungle instructors from across the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division, Panamanian National Border Service, National Aeronaval Service, and Panamanian National Police, who provided hands-on instruction about knot-tying, proper river crossing procedures, identifying and harvesting edible flora and fauna, medical evacuation procedures, and more jungle survival skills and techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julia Lebens)

Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference 2025 concluding video

Video summarizing the Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference 2025, held in Washington, D.C., July, 4-6, 2025. MLAC 2025, hosted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, convenes senior Marine and naval infantry leaders from Argentina, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom and the United States to discuss shared security challenges and enhance regional cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt Samuel Qin)

Leaders of the Americas Conference 2025: Sunset Parade

Members of the 2025 Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference pose for a photo with U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith, the 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a visit to the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, Aug. 5, 2025.The 2025 Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference, hosted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, convenes senior Marine and naval infantry leaders from Argentina, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom and the United States to discuss shared security challenges and enhance regional cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)

SMMC Ruiz delivers keynote at MLAC 2025

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, delivers keynote remarks as part of the 2025 Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference (MLAC), Washington, D.C., August 5, 2025. The 2025 Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference, hosted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, convenes senior Marine and naval infantry leaders from Argentina, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom and the United States to discuss shared security challenges and enhance regional cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt Jordan E. Gilbert)

MLAC 2025

MLAC 2025 Opening Video

Introductory video for the Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference, July 22, 2025. The Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference, hosted by the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps, is a gathering, convening senior naval infantry leaders from across the Western Hemisphere and other key partners who share interests in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt Gabriel Durand)

Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference 2025

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith, the 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, stands with senior naval infantry and Marine Corps leaders from 20 Allied or partnered nations during the 2025 Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 4, 2025. The 2025 Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference, hosted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, convenes senior Marine and naval infantry leaders from Argentina, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom and the United States to discuss shared security challenges and enhance regional cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)

Welcome to MLAC

Lt. Gen. Leonard Anderson IV, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, welcomes Allies and partners to the Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference, July 18, 2025. The Marine Leaders of the Americas Conference, hosted by the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps, is a gathering, convening senior naval infantry leaders from across the Western Hemisphere and other key partners who share interests in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt Gabriel Durand)

25th Marines Participate in SOUTHERN STAR 25

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, and Chilean Marines work together during Exercise SOUTHERN STAR 25 at Fuerte Aguayo, Chile, from May 26 to June 8, 2025. SOUTHERN STAR 25’ is a multinational special operations exercise taking place across Chile from May 26 to June 8, uniting forces from six nations and 10 observing countries, totaling over 2700 participants to enhance interoperability and strengthen global SOF partnerships through joint training from as far north as Antofagasta to the southern region of Punta Arenas. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)

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Live Fire Range: Southern Star 25

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division and Chilean marines participate in a live fire exercise during Southern Star 25, at Fuerte Aguayo, Chile, May 29, 2025. Southern Star is a multinational training exercise emphasizing operational and tactical missions, bringing together joint, combined, interagency, and military forces to strengthen coordination and interoperability within a unified special operations command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)

Live Fire Range: Southern Star 25

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division and Chilean Marines receive a safety brief before they participate in a live fire exercise during exercise Southern Star 25 at Fuerte Aguayo, Chile, May 29, 2025. Southern Star is a multinational training exercise emphasizing operational and tactical missions, bringing together joint, combined, interagency, and military forces to strengthen coordination and interoperability within a unified special operations command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)

Live Fire Range: Southern Star 25

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division and Chilean Marines, eat together during a break from a live fire exercise during Southern Star 25, at Fuerte Aguayo, Chile, May 29, 2025. Southern Star is a multinational training exercise emphasizing operational and tactical missions, bringing together joint, combined, interagency, and military forces to strengthen coordination and interoperability within a unified special operations command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)

U.S. Marines from MARFORSOUTH train with Guatemalan Paracaidistas during CENTAM Guardian 25

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, and Guatemalan Paracaidistas rehearse moving from a secure building to a non-secure location at Puerto San Jose, Guatemala on May 18, 2025. CG25 fosters collaboration by enabling participating nations to share and build on their collective knowledge and experiences. (U.S. Marine corps photo by Sgt. Eduardo Delatorre.)

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U.S. Marine Corps Forces South

MISSION

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OVERVIEW VIDEO: U.S. MaRINE CORPS FORCES, SOUTH

Overview of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

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