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Conflicts > South America
The U.S. Army Special Forces has a rich, deep, and
long-standing relationship with the countries of Central and
South America. More than one group has participated in the
engagement with the militaries of Latin America in both training
and during times of conflict.
These units include the
8th Special Forces Group, 7th Special
Forces Group, and the
20th Special Forces Group. In addition,
units of the 3rd Special Forces Group were engaged in the
Caribbean for a limited amount of time.
Currently (as of late 2026) the 7th and 20th Special Forces
Groups rotate SF teams into different Latin American countries
on a continuous basis.
The more well-known examples of Special Forces presence
include Colombia, Panama, and
El Salvador. Colombia has suffered from a long-running
guerrilla war with insurgents. Panama had its Noreiga regime
toppled in an invasion by U.S. troops. The El Salvadorian
government was fighting an insurgency for a number of years -
aided by advisors from U.S. Army Special Forces.
Operation Golden Pheasant. On March 17, 1988, Operation Golden Pheasant began. Units of the
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) along with conventional forces from XVIII Airborne Corps conducted an emergency
deployment to Honduras in response to Nicaraguan attacks on Contra camps in Honduras.
See
Operation Golden Pheasant.
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