    [Senate Hearing 117-983]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                            S. Hrg. 117-983

     TO CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL LAURA J. RICHARDSON,
        USA TO BE GENERAL AND COMMANDER, UNITED STATES SOUTHERN COMMAND

    =======================================================================

                                    HEARING

                                   before the

                          COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
                              UNITED STATES SENATE

                        ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                   __________

                                 AUGUST 3, 2021
                                   __________

             Printed for the use of the Committee on Armed Services

                   [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                     Available via: http://www.govinfo.gov
                                    ______

                       U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

    62-992 PDF                 WASHINGTON : 2026

                          COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES

                       JACK REED, Rhode Island, Chairman
    JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire        JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma
    KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, New York      ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi
    RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut      DEB FISCHER, Nebraska
    MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii              TOM COTTON, Arkansas
    TIM KAINE, Virginia                  MIKE ROUNDS, South Dakota
    ANGUS S. KING, Jr., Maine            JONI ERNST, Iowa
    ELIZABETH WARREN, Massachusetts      THOM TILLIS, North Carolina
    GARY C. PETERS, Michigan             DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska
    JOE MANCHIN III, West Virginia       KEVIN CRAMER, North Dakota
    TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois            RICK SCOTT, Florida
    JACKY ROSEN, Nevada                  MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee
    MARK KELLY, Arizona                  JOSH HAWLEY, Missouri
                                         TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Alabama

                     Elizabeth L. King, Staff Director
                       John D. Wason, Minority Staff
                                  Director

                                    (ii)

                                C O N T E N T S
                                   _________

                                 august 3, 2021

                                                                       Page

    To Consider the Nomination of Lieutenant General Laura J.             1
      Richardson, USA to be General and Commander, United States
      Southern Command.

                               Members Statements

    Reed, Senator Jack...............................................     1

    Inhofe, Senator James M..........................................     3

                               Witness Statements

    Richardson, Lieutenant General Laura J., USA to be General and        3
      Commander, United States Southern Command.

      Advance Policy Questions.......................................    33

      Questions for the Record.......................................    49

      Nomination Reference and Report................................    57

      Biographical Sketch............................................    58

      Committee on Armed Services Questionnaire......................    60

      Signature Page.................................................    63

                                     (iii)

     TO CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL LAURA J. RICHARDSON,
        USA TO BE GENERAL AND COMMANDER, UNITED STATES SOUTHERN COMMAND

                                  ----------

                            TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021

                                  United States Senate,
                                   Committee on Armed Services,
                                                        Washington, DC.
        The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:30 a.m. in room
    SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Senator Jack Reed
    (Chairman of the Committee) presiding.
        Committee Members present: Senators Reed, Gillibrand,
    Blumenthal, Kaine, King, Warren, Peters, Manchin, Rosen, Kelly,
    Fischer, Rounds, Ernst, Tillis, Sullivan, Scott, Blackburn,
    Hawley, and Tuberville.

                 OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR JACK REED

        Chairman Reed. Let me call the hearing to order.
        Good morning. The committee meets to consider the
    nomination of Lieutenant General Laura Richardson, to be
    promoted to four-star general and to be the next commander of
    the United States Southern Command.
        If confirmed, you will be the second female, four-star
    general officer currently serving in the United States military
    and the second female officer to command a geographic combatant
    command.
        I am glad to preside for this well-deserved nomination and
    I thank you, General, for your continued service and
    willingness to lead in this important position.
        I would like to welcome your husband, Lieutenant General
    James Richardson, United States Army, and your daughter, Lauren
    Richardson. We thank them for your continued support to our
    Nation.
        You have most recently served as the commander of the U.S.
    Army North and senior commander of Fort Sam Houston and Camp
    Bullis in Texas. That experience, along with your distinguished
    career of service across multiple theaters, and commander at
    all levels, will serve you well in this new role.
        Security issues in the U.S. Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM,
    are challenging and increasingly complex. SOUTHCOM has
    traditionally focused on counter-drug and counter-transnational
    criminal organization missions, while making the most of
    limited resources; recently, however, the SOUTHCOM region has
    experienced a rise in political instability, including the
    presidential assassination in Haiti, political protest in Cuba,
    and continuing economic and political degradation in Venezuela,
    as the Maduro regime clings to power.
        Further, the security situation in the northern triangle
    countries, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, continues to
    deteriorate, exacerbated by the corruption of these
    governments, human rights violations, and criminal violence. It
    is critical that the root causes of this instability be
    addressed comprehensively. I would be interested in your views
    and the role that SOUTHCOM might play in those efforts.
        The political and economic instability in these SOUTHCOM
    nations presents a situation that China, Russia, and other
    near-peer rivals are now seeking to exploit to increase their
    own strategic influence. In March, Admiral Faller, the current
    SOUTHCOM commander, provided this committee a classified
    briefing on the growing malign influence of China in the region
    and the consequential threat this poses to the United States.
        A critical task to the next SOUTHCOM commander will be to
    focus on countering these efforts by near-peer rivals to coerce
    our allies and partners. We need to find ways to complete and
    compete successfully, short of armed conflict, including by
    addressing sources of insecurity and other vulnerabilities that
    near-peer rivals exploit to gain leverage or sow division.
        It will also be important to strengthen the resilience of
    the U.S. partner security forces, including by building defense
    institutional capabilities for adherence to the rule of law and
    respect for human rights.
        General Richardson, I am interested in your assessment of
    the spread for near-peer competition in the SOUTHCOM area and
    how we might work strategically with partners in our
    neighboring region to build resilience to China and Russia's
    malign activities.
        Finally, the DOD's response to COVID-19 must remain a
    priority. As the current Army North commander, you led
    NORTHCOM's Joint Force land component, which has provided
    COVID-19 response support to civilian hospitals nationwide,
    assisted FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] and HHS
    [Department of Health and Human Services] with distribution,
    and provided personnel for community property vaccination
    centers in multiple states and U.S. territories.
        General, on behalf of the committee, please thank the men
    and women under your command who have participated in this
    heroic response to the pandemic and thank you for your
    extraordinary leadership.
        I would ask that you share how you plan on leading the U.S.
    COVID-19 response in the SOUTHCOM area based on the lessons
    learned over the past year and a half.
        General Richardson, if confirmed, you will lead SOUTHCOM in
    an incredibly consequential time. We thank you, again, for your
    continued willingness to serve.
        Senator Inhofe has requested that I submit his statement
    for the record and I will do so at this time.
        [The statement of Senator James M. Inhofe follows:]

                 Prepared Statement by Senator James M. Inhofe
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Lieutenant General Richardson, we thank you for your decades of
    service, and for you and your family's continued willingness to serve
    the country.
        If confirmed, you'll be responsible for overseeing military
    activities in a region of growing importance to the National Defense
    Strategy.
        China and Russia are expanding their access and influence in the
    SOUTHCOM theater through arms deals, military deployments, and economic
    and diplomatic coercion.
        As Admiral Faller, the current SOUTHCOM Commander, told this
    Committee earlier this year: ``Our strategic competition with China is
    global, not just in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea. China is
    quickly growing its influence here, in our hemisphere.'' I agree with
    him.
        At the same time, much of the drugs poisoning American cities and
    the migrants at our southern border are coming from the SOUTHCOM AOR
    [area of responsibility].
        We also see growing turbulence in the region in places like Haiti
    and Cuba.
        Despite these threats, SOUTHCOM has never had enough resources to
    do its job. That's why I'm pleased that this committee adopted my
    amendment to the NDAA that increases the defense budget topline and
    addresses many of the unfunded requirements of our combatant
    commanders, including SOUTHCOM.
        General Richardson, your experience makes you well qualified to
    lead SOUTHCOM as it confronts these challenges, and I look forward to
    supporting your nomination.
        Thank you again for your willingness to serve.

        Chairman Reed. At this time, General Richardson, your
    introductory statement, please.

    LIEUTENANT GENERAL LAURA RICHARDSON, NOMINEE TO BE GENERAL AND
      COMMANDER, UNITED STATES SOUTHERN COMMAND

        Lieutenant General Richardson. Chairman Reed, Ranking
    Member Inhofe, and distinguished members of the committee, I am
    honored and humbled to appear before you today as the nominee
    to lead United States SOUTHCOM.
        I would like to thank President Biden, Secretary Austin,
    and General Millie for their trust and confidence in nominating
    me for this position. I would also like to recognize Admiral
    Faller, the current U.S. SOUTHCOM commander and his wife,
    Martha, for their loyal and dedicated service to our Nation.
        If confirmed, I will build on their efforts and work
    diligently together with our partners to ensure we fully
    account for the defense challenges and opportunities in Central
    and South America and the Caribbean.
        I would like to thank my family for their love and support
    throughout my military career. With me today is my husband Jim,
    our daughter Lauren. Jim has been my strongest advocate for 33
    years and we have proudly served side-by-side, tackling the
    challenges of a dual-military family and I would not be the
    officer that I am today without him.
        Lauren, who I am so proud of, she deserves so much credit
    for her support and sacrifices along the way. It is often the
    service members who receive praise, but I believe our military
    kids deserve more credit for their support and sacrifices, as
    well.
        I would like to thank my parents watching from Colorado.
    They have truly been instrumental in establishing a family
    virtue of service to our country. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
        In this era of long-term strategic competition, the United
    States must remain the partner of choice throughout the Western
    Hemisphere. As this committee knows, the Southern Command
    region is of strategic importance to U.S. vital interests, and
    if confirmed, I will synchronize our approach to Security
    Cooperation, working across all combatant commands to narrow
    the gaps and seams our competitors are exploiting.
        Today, many of our closest partners in the region are still
    fighting bravely against COVID. We are all too familiar with
    the devastation caused by this deadly pandemic, and I empathize
    with those who have felt its horrific impacts. More than a
    humanitarian crisis, this devastation is changing the
    geopolitical landscape.
        Authoritarian regimes and transnational criminal
    organizations, enabled by China, and encouraged by Russia, are
    attempting to consolidate power in the region and free
    societies are being directly challenged. While our competitors
    are extending hands of exploitation, attempting to profit from
    our partners' vulnerable circumstances, if confirmed, I stand
    ready to support the coordinated and prioritized whole-of-
    government effort in support of partner nations on vaccine
    distribution.
        I will focus on rebuilding regional resilience by expanding
    our Security Cooperation efforts and multilateral exercises,
    increased International Military Education and Training
    exchanges, and work with the Department of Defense (DOD) and
    Congress on innovative methods to increase levels of
    interoperability and global integration.
        Through a comprehensive and multilateral approach, we can
    strengthen regional resilience by denying freedom of movement
    to transnational criminal organizations by reducing exposure to
    the corrosive efforts of external state actors in our shared
    hemisphere and, thereby, improving security of our southern
    border.
        We draw upon the strength in the Western Hemisphere from
    partner nations who share our values of freedom, democracy,
    respect for human rights, and the rule of law. We cannot,
    however, take these relationships for granted or let our guard
    down, as our competitors vie for influence. We must hasten it
    pick up the pieces left by the pandemic and transform our
    relationships to meet 21st century security challenges; put
    simply, winning together with our allies and partners matters.
        If confirmed, I look forward to continuing to serve the
    American people by leading the great team at U.S. Southern
    Command. Just as I have worked with numerous agencies within
    our U.S. borders, I will work with our interagency partners
    abroad.
        Whether against COVID, transnational criminal
    organizations, the predatory actions of China, the malign
    influence of Russia, or natural disasters, there is nothing we
    cannot overcome or achieve through an integrated response with
    our interagency allies and partners.
        Thank you, again, Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Inhofe, and
    Members of the Committee for this opportunity. I look forward
    to your questions.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you very much, General Richardson. I
    will begin the questioning.
        Security and human rights in the Northern Triangle of
    Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador have been deteriorating
    for many, many years and I have worked closely with the Sisters
    of Mercy, particularly with their mission in Honduras. They
    have raised serious concerns about our security assistance to
    the Northern Triangle countries, whose governments continue to
    commit human rights abuses and undermine the international
    efforts.
        If confirmed, will you agree to review the security systems
    approach in the SOUTHCOM area, particularly, the Northern
    Triangle, to ensure that our assistance is bolstering their
    commitment to human rights and to civil order and not disorder?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes, Senator, absolutely.
        Human rights is a core principle of the U.S. military and I
    will absolutely do that if confirmed as the SOUTHCOM commander.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you very much.
        I have jumped ahead in my questions without asking
    significant questions we ask all nominees, so you will let me
    step back and ask the questions I will do so. You can respond
    in the affirmative or appropriately.
        Have you adhered to applicable laws and regulations
    governing conflict of interest?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes, Senator.
        Chairman Reed. Have you assumed any duties or taken any
    actions that would appear to presume the outcome of the
    confirmation process?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. No, Senator.
        Chairman Reed. Exercising our legislative and oversight
    responsibilities makes it important that this committee and
    subcommittees and other appropriate committees of Congress
    receive testimony, briefings, reports, records, and other
    information from the Executive Branch on a timely basis.
        Do you agree, if confirmed, to appear and testify before
    this committee when requested?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes.
        Chairman Reed. Do you agree, when asked before this
    committee, to give your personal views, even if your views
    differ from the Administration?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes.
        Chairman Reed. Do you agree to provide records, documents,
    electronic communications in a timely manner when requested by
    this Committee----
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes.
        Chairman Reed.--and subcommittees or other appropriate
    committees of Congress and to consult with the requestor
    regarding the basis for any good faith delay or denial in
    providing such records?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes.
        Chairman Reed. Will you ensure that your staff complies
    with the deadlines established by this committee for the
    production of reports, records, and other information,
    including timely responding to hearing questions for the
    record?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes.
        Chairman Reed. Will you cooperate and provide any witnesses
    and briefers in response to congressional requests?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes.
        Chairman Reed. Will those witnesses be protected from
    reprisal for their testimony or briefings?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you very much, General, and I
    apologize for the going out of sequence, but let me continue my
    questioning.
        You have played a critical role in the border security
    efforts by supporting DHS [Department of Homeland Security] and
    getting back to the Northern Triangle, that seems to be the
    root of many of the individuals seeking entrance into the
    United States.
        What lessons have you learned from your responsibilities
    along the border that you will apply to the Northern Triangle
    and other areas?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, Senator, having
    performed this mission, I have been in command just over 2
    years now and I am very proud of our soldiers who have served
    in this mission in a title 10 status in support of Department
    of Homeland Security and CBP [Customs and Border Protection].
    Their primary mission has been detection and monitoring on the
    Southwest Border in support of them and, certainly, again, I
    visited the border, I visited the soldiers on the border
    performing this mission and I am very proud of the role that
    they have played in support of DHS and CBP.
        Chairman Reed. This observation, has it given you any
    insights to what you might try to accomplish in the Northern
    Triangle in terms of stopping the flow at the source?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, certainly. The
    migration problem is a confluence of many different issues,
    Senator, and that is violence, corruption, trafficking of arms,
    personnel, as well as poverty. Certainly, with COVID and the
    COVID impacts, as I said in my opening statement, changing the
    geopolitical landscape, all factor in to having high migration
    efforts.
        Certainly, working with, I have a professional working
    relationship under the Theater Security Cooperation. We do,
    under United States NORTHCOM, running the Border Commanders
    program with the Mexican Army, SEDENA, and certainly, when I
    came into command, they were not along our, on the other side
    of the border, and since then, they now patrol on the other
    side of the border, acting as a deterrent, as well.
        So, certainly working with our partner nations, working
    with our partner militaries, and strengthening them, bolstering
    them to be able to handle their own security problems is really
    what can help curb the situation. We have to have a persistent
    presence, though; it can't be, it has to be routine, it has to
    be persistent, and it has to be sincere.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you.
        Just quickly, your general impressions of the malign
    influence of Russia, China, and other countries in your AO?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. So, certainly, China and
    Russia, China is a reemerged, long-term, strategic competitor,
    rapidly asserting itself. It is the only competitor that is
    capable of using its instruments of power, economic, political,
    technological, to challenge our rules-based international
    order.
        Certainly, the Secretary of Defense has identified China as
    a pacing threat. They have been aggressively modernizing their
    military at a serious and sustained rate. As I look at this
    from the military lens, all to, for the PLA, or the People's
    Liberation Army, to project and sustain military power.
        Certainly, obviously with Russia, the malign influence of
    Russia, they continue to undermine the United States globally.
    They try to separate democracies and sow discord and certainly
    in Latin America, tried to create a friction point and use that
    as pressure upon the United States.
        If confirmed as the SOUTHCOM commander, I will utilize
    security, cooperation, and engagement to counter these and work
    with our partner nations to counter this malign influence.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you very much, General.
        I think we are all very enthused about your nomination and
    I wish you well. Thank you.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Thank you, Chairman.
        Chairman Reed. I will now recognize Senator Rounds.
        Senator Rounds. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Good morning, Lieutenant General Richardson. First, let me
    begin by saying thank you for your service to our country, as
    well as your family's continued service to our country.
        I would like to follow-up a little bit with your comments
    just now with regard to the Chinese challenges that we have.
    With regard to Chinese influence and Latin America, since the
    end of World War II, the SOUTHCOM AOR has been a secondary
    concern to military planners, but I wonder if it deserves more
    focus.
        According to a July report by CRS [Congressional Research
    Service], total Chinese-Latin American trade increased from
    less than $18 billion in 2002 to almost $316 billion in 2019.
    The Chinese have a clear strategy of investing in minerals and
    agricultural commodities throughout South America.
        As we saw in Africa, economic engagement will precede
    closer military engagement and, indeed, Admiral Faller told
    this Committee earlier this year that China has increased its
    port calls in the region by 70 percent over the last 5 years.
        Reports from CSIS last year suggested that if war broke out
    with China, the PRC may have enough sway already in some Latin
    American capitals, Caracas, Quito, Havana, and La Paz, to use
    ports, airfields, and other facilities in support of operations
    against the United States.
        Do you have a reason to believe this is an accurate
    depiction of Chinese influence in Latin America and how can our
    Armed Forces work to minimize this potential threat?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, thank you, Senator.
        I share your concern and certainly with the expansion of
    China across the Latin American region is concerning, and so
    just with the Belt and Road Initiative, the BRI, 19 countries
    have signed up for infrastructure loans, billions of dollars in
    loans for infrastructure projects across the region, and so,
    quite honestly, very concerning. I look at that all as, even
    though those are Chinese State enterprise companies, still,
    they can use those as dual-use facilities and utilize that as
    global logistics and basing infrastructure as they expand to
    project and sustain military power globally, and certainly
    within the region. So, again, I share your concern.
        The way that we counter that is through the Security
    Cooperation engagement. We do have a lot of levers to utilize.
    Admiral Faller and the great team at SOUTHCOM have been doing a
    very good job of aggressively getting after those levers with
    Security Cooperation, whether it is with the institutional
    Capacity Building, multinational exercises, they picked back up
    with three big exercises in the last 6 months. They have four
    more on the horizon in the next 6 months. This trains thousands
    of soldiers. It increases readiness, interoperability, domain
    awareness, sharing of information, and so if confirmed,
    Senator, I will certainly take on this role to do what the
    SOUTHCOM team has done before and continue to have persistent
    presence in the region.
        Senator Rounds. Thank you for that answer.
        Let me change topics a little bit. Reports out of Cuba
    suggest the protests have been quelled for now, however, there
    is no end in sight to Cuba's economic failure. Most citizens
    lack access to basic necessities. Nor is there an end in sight
    to Cuba's current COVID surge, which is getting worse by the
    day and which will likely further erode public confidence in
    Cuba's Communist government.
        Assuming the unrest has merely hit a pause, is SOUTHCOM
    well-positioned to act in support of our relevant government
    agencies if waves of refugees head for U.S. shores, or if the
    country devolves into a civil war? I guess I would pose the
    same question in regards to Haiti, given the ongoing unrest
    there following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.
        What are your thoughts?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. So, Senator, certainly, this
    is a very fluid and dynamic situation and it requires a whole-
    of-government approach, absolutely, with diplomacy in the lead.
    Certainly, if confirmed as the SOUTHCOM commander, I would be
    ready to respond with whatever was asked of Southern Command to
    be able to do in terms of either one of those situations.
        Senator Rounds. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        My time is expiring.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you very much, Senator Rounds.
        Let me now recognize Senator Kaine, please.
        Senator Kaine. Mr. Chair, thank you so much.
        General Richardson, congratulations on your nomination. I
    hope to work with you.
        I guess all of our favorite AORs is NORTHCOM, but next to
    NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM is my favorite AOR. I was a missionary in
    Honduras. I am the chairman of the Western Hemisphere
    Subcommittee of Senate Foreign Relations. We have a huge Latino
    population in Virginia who have family all over the Americas.
        But I feel like our military operations, as well as
    diplomatic and other operations, in the Americas are often
    underresourced and our attention, often, is episodic; we pay
    attention if there is a crisis and then we drift back to
    focusing on an east-west axis of the world, rather than our
    neighbors in the Americas.
        Over the years, as I have been on this Committee and
    Foreign Relations, I have often heard from Latin American heads
    of state: We would much rather deal with the United States than
    with China. We are worried about Chinese motivations. They put
    us into debt traps that we don't like, but they are present and
    they are putting resources on the table and you are not
    present.
        Recently, I returned from CODEL [Congressional Delegation]
    to the Americas, four nations, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, and
    Colombia, with six senators, three Democrats, three
    Republicans. I was very struck that we had a moment in time
    where a window is really open for the United States. They are
    thrilled about the U.S. delivery of vaccines, vaccine
    diplomacy. You mentioned this in your opening statement. They
    look at the U.S. gifts of vaccines, and President Biden is
    making an announcement today, I think, about delivery of 100
    million vaccines around the world. But they look at the United
    States gift of vaccines and they say these are the highest-
    quality vaccines in the world, and they compare it with the
    China or Russia willing to sell them vaccines that they don't
    think are so high quality and they are incredibly grateful.
        You and I talked briefly, and, again, you referred to it in
    your opening statement. I visited U.S. military operations in
    Honduras, for example, that are doing remote medical clinics in
    rural regions of Honduras that not only train us to quickly set
    up mobile medical units, but also perform humanitarian work to
    build goodwill.
        Throughout the Americas, there is a need for help in
    deploying vaccines into rural areas far away from central
    cities. In Guatemala, we arrived in the CODEL the same day that
    one and a half million American vaccines were delivered.
    Senator Coons asked a really challenging question to President
    Giammattei: How many of these vaccines will get more than 20
    minutes from the International Airport? How many will get to
    indigenous communities or places in Guatemala that don't have
    good road network?
        I see a massive opportunity for the U.S., as part of this
    vaccine diplomacy, to regain lost ground in the Americas and
    build goodwill, and I actually think the U.S. military has
    expertise in this way. I see my Virginia Guard at everything
    during COVID, from the testing clinics to the food distribution
    to the vaccine clinics, and so I know it is an expertise.
        Share a little bit about how, should you be confirmed, you
    might want SOUTHCOM to be involved, as you say, in a whole-of-
    government exercise to accelerate American vaccine diplomacy in
    the Americas.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Thank you, Senator, for the
    opportunity to talk about that.
        As NORTHCOM and Army North have been dealing with the
    effects of COVID across our Nation with our military medical
    providers and hospitals and then everything that we learned
    with that, as well as across the United States with vaccine
    centers, and so we have learned an awful lot. But this is
    absolutely an area with COVID distribution and I know the
    Administration has talked about giving out 500 million vaccine
    doses across the globe over the next year.
        Quite honestly, as we were looking to desperately create
    the vaccine last December, for example, and getting that out
    and getting shots in arms as quickly as possible, I know that
    in SOUTHCOM and the capabilities that the military has with
    distribution, logistics, lessons learned, being able to provide
    PPE, and those sorts of things, and so I think this is a huge
    opportunity for the United States, allies, and partners, with
    vaccine distribution.
        I think the other very important point is that with the
    United States, there aren't strings attached. There is no fine
    print, small print. We don't use this as leverage; whereas, the
    Chinese and the Russians are using this as leverage to change,
    you know, a country's mind: we will give you a vaccine if you
    take on our 5G from Huawei, for example. We don't do that. We
    don't have strings attached when we are talking about vaccine
    diplomacy.
        Senator Kaine. I think, General, that last fact is not lost
    on these leaders and they are really seeing an America that
    wants to help them out of this ``once in a century'' healthcare
    crisis in a way that China and Russia are not. Let's take
    advantage of the moment. SOUTHCOM has a big role to play in it.
    I look forward to supporting your nomination.
        Thank you, Mr. Chair.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Kaine.
        Senator Ernst, please.
        Senator Ernst. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
        Thank you very much, General Richardson. I am so pleased to
    see your nomination in front of this Committee.
        I also want to thank your family, as well. General
    Richardson, Lauren, thank you so much for the support of your
    wife and your mother. We know how important our military
    families are. So, thank you for being here today.
        General Richardson, again, congratulations, and we know
    that we do have a lot going on in this hemisphere, and focusing
    on SOUTHCOM is extremely important, as Admiral Faller has told
    us over and over again. We have many malign actors that are
    engaging in our own neighborhood and we certainly need to make
    sure that our interests and our country are protected.
        We do see those new threats coming from Chinese and Russian
    influence; in particular. We have many of these transnational
    criminal organizations (TCOs) that are engaging and what we
    have seen coming from those TCOs, about $90 billion of annual
    revenue generated from those TCOs. Just last week, we saw the
    Coast Guard cutter Harriet Lane interdicting $16 million worth
    of illicit drugs, which were likely moving towards America in
    the Caribbean Sea. So, we do have a lot of risk from these
    TCOs.
        Can you maybe talk a little bit about how they are working
    with those malign actors like China and Russia and the
    implications that has to the United States.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Certainly. Thank you,
    Senator.
        With the TCOs, transnational criminal organizations
    threaten partner nations' stability, as well as regional
    security. Certainly, the violence that they create, quite
    honestly, they feed off of each other, the TCOs or the external
    state actors of China, Russia, and Lebanese Hezbollah.
    Certainly, again, they are expanding, they are diversifying,
    they are destabilizing in the region, they are a major security
    threat in the AOR.
        Drug trafficking is their number one funding source, and
    so, certainly, what SOUTHCOM has as its, are the levers that it
    utilizes for security cooperation and, again, that has to be a
    persistent presence. Certainly, we would like our allies and
    partners to join us in the region, too, so it is not just the
    United States.
        But, quite honestly, the multilateral exercises that I
    spoke about before, really a ``low-cost, high return on
    investment'' to train with our partner nations, increases the
    readiness, the interoperability, the domain awareness, because
    we have to be able to have the security advantage in all
    domains, as well as the sharing of information and
    intelligence.
        Senator Ernst. Thank you.
        Even to build further on that, one of my favorite topics
    when we have commanders in front of us is our State partnership
    programs through the National Guard.
        I am very proud of our own partnership. Iowa is partnered
    with Kosovo, and we have seen a great return on investment with
    a tremendous country in Europe.
        We see that, as well, in South America with many of our
    state National Guards partnering with host nations. The best
    bang for the buck, coming from those types of agreements.
        You also mentioned allies and partners, other countries
    that are engaging with us. I think it is important to remember
    that we do have to continue to collaborate with others that
    have our shared interests and values in the region.
        Can you talk about some of the great partnerships we do
    have with allies, as we are engaging against some of the malign
    actors and TCOs that we see. Maybe some of the key partners we
    would have.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Certainly, in the current
    position that I am in, in Army North and under U.S. NORTHCOM,
    we have the theater security relationship with our ally Canada
    and our partner, Mexico. Specifically, being able to work with
    them, have them train at our training centers, for example, our
    Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, which the
    Canadians routinely train there, battalion level.
        We are going to have a company, our partner nation, Mexico,
    a company participate in the first-year ROTC [Reserve Officer
    Training Corps] rotation next spring, and then by 2024, we hope
    to have a battalion-level participation.
        I think it just helps us. I look at it as an integrated
    deterrence when we work with our allies and partners together.
    Because we are much stronger and more powerful together to
    counter the external influence.
        Senator Ernst. Thank you very much, General Richardson.
        My time has expired. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        I look forward to supporting your nomination. Thank you.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Thank you, Senator.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Ernst.
        Now, let me recognize, via Webex, Senator King.
        Senator King. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        First, I want to congratulate General Richardson and her
    husband. I think in your family there are more stars than the
    Milky Way. I mean, this is extraordinary. I don't think we have
    ever had this many, this high level in both sides of a family.
    So, congratulations on your nomination.
        I have been asking this same question for about 5 years. It
    maybe is getting marginally better, but what really frustrates
    me is that we know about 100 drug shipments from the Latin
    American AOR and we have the capacity to interdict 25, maybe 30
    percent of them. I hope that you will advocate for more
    resources, whether it is naval training vessels, additional
    Coast Guard, whatever it is. Given the tragedy that is going
    on, we are losing tens of thousands of people every year. I
    think 90,000 this year, including four or 500, I think over 500
    in my state of Maine to overdoses. Please ramp-up the capacity
    to interdict these shipments and also the ISR to know where
    they are.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, thank you, Senator.
        Certainly as Admiral Faller has said, is we can't interdict
    our way out of this, and so not only will I, if confirmed, work
    very aggressively on this way forward, through JIATF-South,
    which is the Joint Interagency Task Force-South, under SOUTHCOM
    that has the air and maritime mission for detective monitoring
    for this, but also the whole-of-government approach. You have
    the interagency that is integrated within JIATF-South, as well.
    You have partner nations that are part of this team.
        Partner nations participated in 60 percent of the
    interdictions that occurred last year. I think that just
    continuing to work on that, but, absolutely, I will advocate
    for that, Senator.
        Senator King. Well, we may not be able to interdict our way
    out of it, but we can do a heck of a lot more interdiction than
    we are doing, and that is just a lack of facilities, of ships.
    So, I hope that you will be very aggressive with your
    colleagues in the Navy and the Coast Guard, that we just need
    more resources.
        It is inexcusable that we know of 100 shipments and we only
    interdict 30. I mean, that is, it is one thing if we don't know
    about them, but if we know about them and can't stop them and
    people are dying up here, that is not acceptable.
        Let me change the subject for a moment. How do we bolster
    the Northern Triangle countries economically, in terms of
    internal security, in order to slow the flow of the migrants to
    our border? How do we do that while dealing with what are
    often, essentially, corrupt governments? How do we get around
    the government?
        It doesn't do any good to send millions or billions of
    dollars to these countries if it gets siphoned off by regimes
    that aren't serving the people, only themselves.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, Senator, certainly
    through Institutional Capacity Building is extremely important
    and working, not giving up with our partner nations and
    continuing to try to work with them. As I said before, a core
    principle in the U.S. military is human rights and the rule of
    law, and we have to continue to have this within all of our
    training, which it is, and continue to leverage that.
        Not just Institutional Capacity Building, but the
    militaries are very well respected in this region and, quite
    honestly, a lot of the people look at the militaries as a way
    to have a better life and a way to get out of the poverty and
    the violence and things like that. Again, persistent engagement
    with Security Cooperation, the exercises, the train and equip,
    foreign military sales, foreign military financing. Senator
    Ernst mentioned the National Guard State Partnership Program.
    Nine members on this committee have state partnerships with the
    countries in Latin America. So, there are a lot of levers that
    we have to continually be persistent about utilizing in this
    region.
        Senator King. Well, I hope you will--we are asking you
    questions as if you have been there 3 years, and I hope these
    are things that will be on your mind.
        We have to figure out how to support and encourage and
    rebuild though countries without, sometimes, outside of the
    corrupt local governments.
        The other thing that I am interested in following as you
    are on this job is the course of Chinese influence and whether
    they can maintain their influence when the bills come due.
    Because what they are really engaged in now is debt diplomacy
    and I think some of those deals aren't going to look as good to
    those countries as the Chinese are looking for repayment.
        But in any case, I appreciate your testimony, General.
    Congratulations. I, too, look forward to supporting your
    nomination.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Thank you, Senator.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator King.
        Let me recognize Senator Tuberville, please.
        [Pause.]
        Chairman Reed. No, sir, not yet.
        Senator Tuberville. There. Maybe that will work.
        General, thank you for being here today and your husband
    and your daughter.
        My two kids grew up with a coach as a dad, disciplinarian.
    I can't imagine your daughter growing up with two generals.
    That would be very interesting. I would love to be around the
    breakfast table sometimes. I know she has got some stories.
        I appreciate your training in Fort Rucker in Alabama, too,
    your aviation training; that is awesome.
        You know, your area of responsibility of Southern Command
    sometimes gets overlooked, but it is getting more important
    every day and we can just see the drugs in this country. Being
    a coach, I have seen over the years, and of all the kids that
    we are losing to drugs just in my career. I can imagine now
    with what is coming across the border; that has got to be a
    huge undertaking in the future because there is so much money
    involved in it.
        You know, I told Admiral Faller when he testified in March
    that dealing with criminal organizations, Haiti, Cuba, China,
    and Russia, coming our way, their presence every day, you have
    got your hands full. I believe sooner or later the American
    people are going to wake up to what is going on in our
    Caribbean and our southern part of the country and I hope it
    doesn't take for China to float an aircraft carrier between
    Miami and the Bahamas for us to wake up, because it is coming.
        I think in the next 3 years, you are going to see a lot of
    changes and you are going to be right on top of it. So, I am
    anxious to watch and see what you do and how you do it, because
    we are all going to be counting on you.
        If you ever need anything, you know, please let this
    Committee know, because sometimes the Southern Command, along
    with, you know, with all the drugs and so many different
    factions that is challenging our country, you are going to need
    more and more every day and that can't be overlooked.
        What do you think is going to be your biggest obstacle, you
    know, when you take this job, when you are confirmed, what do
    you think your number one concern will be when you look at it?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, Senator, thank you for
    the question.
        I share your concern about the area of operations. It is a
    huge area and quite a lot of ground to cover. Just to use a
    sports analogy, you have got to have your jersey on, you have
    got to have your number, and you have got to be on the field.
    You can't just be on the field once every couple of months
    engaging with countries; it has got to be consistent, it has to
    be persistent, and constantly engaging with our partner
    nations.
        I think it also sends that the U.S. is committed to this
    region and so a lot of levers are available, and so utilizing
    those ``low-cost, high return on investment'' initiatives and
    certainly working cross contraband command, as well, because I
    think a lot of things that are happening in different AORs in
    the Indo-Pacific and to the European Command, AFRICOM [United
    States African Command], certainly. Everything is very globally
    interconnected these days, and so working with my fellow
    combatant commanders, and, obviously, with the commander of
    U.S. NORTHCOM to help strengthen those relationships and our
    commitment in the region.
        Senator Tuberville. I don't think it is fair to ask you
    this question today, but when you come back for another hearing
    in the future, I want to know your thoughts about Guantanamo
    Bay. I want to know what you think about it, what the future
    for it is. I think that is a huge region for us down there.
        I spent a lot of years in Miami. I have a lot of Cuban
    friends and they are very passionate about their country in
    Cuba. I think you are going to be right in the middle of that
    because you see things are starting to happen down there.
        My time is almost up. I take a little controversy over this
    question, but I am going to ask you, our military needs to
    grow. We are losing more and more in our military to be able to
    get them into the military because of either education, drugs,
    felonies. We don't have a lot to choose from. We have a lot of
    bright young men and women in this country. What do you think
    about drafting women in the future or having them at least sign
    up for the Selective Service?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, certainly, for women,
    and having been in the military, there are just huge
    opportunities to serve in the military. I am very thankful that
    I have been able to do that. I have been a helicopter pilot for
    34 years. I have been able to build and train teams to fight
    and win in combat and, quite honestly, it is just my honor to
    be able to serve with America's sons and daughters in the U.S.
    Military.
        Senator Tuberville. Thank you very much. Thank you for your
    service, and I look forward to working with you. Thank you.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Thank you, Senator.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Tuberville.
        Let me recognize, via Webex, Senator Warren, please.
        Senator Warren. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Thank you for being here, General Richardson, and
    congratulations on your nomination.
        As you know, many Central and South Americans, particularly
    from the Northern Triangle countries, have migrated north in
    the last few years. Rampant corruption, criminal gangs, some of
    the world's highest rates of gender-based violence in their
    countries are among the reasons why so many of them are
    embarked on such a long and dangerous journey.
        As I have been saying for years now, dealing with these
    factors is crucial for responding appropriately to migration.
    Last week, the Biden administration published its strategy for
    addressing the root causes of migration in Central America and
    one of the pillars it identified was combatting organized
    criminal organizations that have driven hundreds of thousands
    of innocent people from their homes through the persistent use
    of violence.
        Admiral Faller also identified these criminal organizations
    as a national security threat to the United States. As the
    combatant command responsible for Central and South America,
    can you describe the role SOUTHCOM should play in President
    Biden's strategy to address the root causes of migration.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes, Senator. Thank you for
    the question.
        I share your concern in terms of, and I agree with Admiral
    Faller in his assessment of transnational criminal
    organizations in this region. They sow violence. There is
    corruption; again, trafficking. When you are dealing with
    nations with poverty, and then, of course, COVID has just
    exacerbated all of that.
        Quite honestly, with the whole-of-government approach, I
    look at it from the military perspective, Senator. Obviously,
    all the tools that I would have available, if confirmed as the
    SOUTHCOM commander, to be able to be persistent and engaged
    with our partner nations in order to stem the flow of migration
    and all of the root causes that affect that.
        I look forward, if confirmed, to be part of the whole-of-
    government solution to that. But, again, I think that we have
    good, strong partnerships and we have got to just, again, keep
    our jersey on, be on the field, do that persistent engagement,
    and work towards an integrated deterrence against these
    external influences, while also bolstering our partner nations
    to be able to take care of their security problems, as well.
        Senator Warren. Well, you say, all the tools. You know, one
    of the additional tools the Administration identified was
    engagement with regional partners across and beyond Central and
    South America. Last year Admiral Faller highlighted the
    importance of these alliances and partnerships saying, and I
    think I have a quote here, ``Strengthening partnerships is the
    best way to counter threats, enhance our collective readiness,
    and capability to meet global challenges.''
        One tool that SOUTHCOM has available is the Humanitarian
    Assistance Program. The program funds supplies and
    infrastructure to help nations prepare and respond to a wide
    range of emergencies like natural disasters or the ongoing
    COVID-19 pandemic.
        General, if confirmed, can you tell me, what role do you
    envision for this program in helping address the root causes of
    migration, and how can Congress ensure that this program is as
    impactful as possible?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, thank you for the
    question, Senator.
        Certainly, I have seen where Admiral Faller and the
    SOUTHCOM team have utilized the Humanitarian Assistance aid in
    order to counter some of the effects of COVID-19 and certainly
    with donating field hospitals for those ventilators, PPE, and
    lessons learned. I believe the numbers were somewhere over 400
    projects, 54 million to the Latin American region that they
    have done.
        Certainly, if confirmed, Senator, I pledge that I will
    absolutely continue with that aggressive use of Humanitarian
    Assistance funding as a lever for Security Cooperation with our
    partner nations.
        Senator Warren. Thank you.
        I think that having strong and stable partners throughout
    Central and South America is in the United States' best
    interests and the best way to strengthen these partnerships is
    to de-emphasize military tools and refocus our efforts on human
    rights, on any corruption, on humanitarian and development
    assistance programs led by state and USAID [United States
    Agency for International Development]. But I am very glad to
    hear that SOUTHCOM is also committed to playing its part in
    ending this violence.
        Thank you very much. Thank you for being here.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back my time.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Warren.
        Let me now recognize Senator Blackburn, please.
        Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        And, General, congratulations. I look forward to working
    with you and I appreciate your time for a phone call.
        I know you have been asked about China and the malign
    influences that are there. We are all concerned about that
    issue, are fully aware. Let me just follow on with that.
        In planning for a conflict with the PRC [People's Republic
    of China], the United States should realistically work through
    scenarios that go beyond those for INDOPACOM and should take
    into account other areas in which the PLA forces are operating.
        So, how will you approach that as you look at SOUTHCOM,
    knowing that China is trying to plant their flag in so many
    different countries?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, thank you, Senator.
        I share your concern with that, and as we watch the Belt
    and Road Initiative, the BRI, and 19 countries in Latin America
    that have signed on to that with infrastructure projects. They
    come with very sophisticated plans in order to capture the
    interests of the countries, willing to loan billions of
    dollars, as well.
        Again, I look at that from the military lens of projecting
    and sustaining military power for the PLA with this expansion.
    So, not just in the Indo-Pacific region or Africa, but also in
    the region. So, we have to aggressively continue to work with
    our partner nations, show that the U.S., allies, and partners
    are committed. Work with our interagency, whole-of-government
    approach with the Department of State and USAID, and just
    continue to be persistent.
        Senator Blackburn. I appreciate that.
        I am pleased to know that you are attentive and thoughtful
    about how that would be approached.
        We discussed ISR when we talked and my concern about the
    lack of attention on ISR and the SOUTHCOM AOR and the
    President's new ``over the horizon'' strategy that relies on
    basing ISR support far away from the battlefield is something
    that is of concern to me because it will put constraints on
    DOD's ISR availability, and this compounds the challenges that
    SOUTHCOM already has with its ISR allocation.
        Are you prepared to operate with even ISR support than
    SOUTHCOM has right now?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, certainly, that is
    a concern, and as Admiral Faller has said, being able to
    interdict is very important. Obviously, you can't interdict
    what you can't see.
        So, going forward, as I have seen with Southern Command has
    done, being innovative with the tools that are available, 21st
    century tradecraft of being able to use AI [artificial
    intelligence], machine learning, to be able to datamine open-
    source information, utilizing the interagency, as well as
    partner nations, and their sharing of information and things
    like that in the AOR.
        But if confirmed, Senator, I will absolutely, aggressively
    work towards that, and I will do an assessment immediately upon
    taking command, if confirmed, and come back to the Secretary of
    Defense with whatever is needed, in addition to that.
        Senator Blackburn. I appreciate that.
        I would like to get your assessment. This could be a
    question for the record or, Mr. Chairman, we may want to have
    this as something right after you are confirmed. I think it is
    important to have an assessment of the ISR availability and it
    needs to be a ``compete and win'' strategy in the utilization
    of ISR.
        I am concerned that we are not setting you and our troops
    up for success in the SOUTHCOM AOR. We know that China is very
    aggressive in this area, so I am going to continue to work to
    focus on these.
        I am about out of time. I will send to you, for the record,
    Senator Warren touched on the trafficking and border security,
    and I do have some concerns about the drug trafficking, the
    human trafficking. The efforts that we have going on dealing
    with this illicit trafficking and the effectiveness. So, I will
    come to you with that as a question for the record. Thank you.
        I yield back.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, very much, Senator Blackburn.
        Now let me recognize, via Webex, Senator Gillibrand,
    please.
        Senator Gillibrand. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
        General, your predecessor, Admiral Faller testified to this
    Committee that Russia has eagerly flooded online communities in
    Latin America with disinformation, intended to undermine faith
    in Democratic institutions and the United States.
        Separately, China is investing heavily in their information
    technology that can be easily manipulated by the Chinese
    Government at their direction for espionage or cyber
    intrusions.
        Do you feel that SOUTHCOM is adequately equipped to do its
    part to handle the separate, but overlapping risks posed by
    these efforts?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I share your
    concern with that, and if confirmed, I will, that will be one
    of the first things that I assess when I get to U.S. Southern
    Command. The disinformation and the information operations that
    are occurring. I will definitely do an assessment and come back
    to the Secretary of Defense with whatever resources might be
    required to counter that.
        Senator Gillibrand. Thank you.
        General, as you pointed out, while China's economic
    coercion practices are only one element of its strategy to
    exert influence in the region, it certainly is an important
    one.
        Is there a way for SOUTHCOM and other U.S. entities to
    facilitate opportunities for economic engagement where we can
    highlight the benefits of working with the United States, as
    opposed to China?
        The Bahamas come to mind, where China has filled a gap left
    by previous administrations after Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. So, certainly, Senator, with
    the Security Cooperation levers that are afforded to U.S.
    Southern Command to be able to counter that, the exercises, the
    International Military Education and Training program, IMET, we
    also have the National Guard State Partnership Program, and the
    section 333, train and equip. Also, foreign military sales,
    foreign military financing are also tools that are available to
    utilize, as well.
        Also in the region, Senator, Security Force Assistance
    teams from the Army, which are also very effective on the
    ground, I think, you know, that goes to that persistent
    engagement with our partner nations to counter the external
    influence.
        Senator Gillibrand. As we have seen by recent events in
    Haiti and Cuba, there are plenty of humanitarian and governance
    concerns within the SOUTHCOM domain that are in close proximity
    to the U.S. First, what role do you foresee SOUTHCOM playing in
    providing humanitarian support to our neighbors, and, two, in
    what ways can SOUTHCOM partner with other agencies to be
    helpful to people suffering from instability, corruption, or
    climate change?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I do agree that
    this is requires a whole-of-government approach with diplomacy
    in the lead, absolutely, and then, certainly, from the military
    perspective, being able to provide that Humanitarian
    Assistance, if required. I know that U.S. SOUTHCOM is always
    ready to be able to do that and, if confirmed, I certainly will
    be ready to do that, as well.
        Senator Gillibrand. President Biden has made it clear that
    the current situation in Haiti doesn't necessitate United
    States Military assistance at this point.
        Do you agree with that assessment, and if so, what signals
    will you be looking for that might change your advice on this
    matter?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I certainly support
    the President and the Administration in terms of the diplomacy,
    leading with diplomacy and the whole-of-government approach,
    and being ready to, if required, provide Humanitarian
    Assistance, or whatever assistance would be required. If
    confirmed, Senator, I pledge that I will be ready to provide
    that, provide, as a combatant commander, options for the
    President and the Secretary of Defense.
        Senator Gillibrand. Last, I saw in your written statement,
    comments about your support for the IRC recommendations and
    Secretary Austin's decision to remove sexual assault and
    domestic violence prosecution from the chain of command.
        As a convening authority yourself, your voice on this issue
    is very important. I did have one question for you about our
    policies. If you agree that sexual assault prosecution will be
    improved by leaving it to trained military prosecutors, is
    there a reason why you wouldn't also improve the prosecution of
    other serious crimes?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, Senator, as a
    commander, I am responsible for standards and discipline within
    my command and within my organization. Certainly, as the
    Secretary of Defense had said that he supports the change for
    sexual assault and sexual harassment, I agree with that, as
    well.
        In terms of other crimes, I think that, in support of the
    Secretary of Defense, I do think we need to review that and
    study that. Because to me, it is very important that I be able
    to have the ability for, and the responsibility to provide
    standards and discipline within the organization. I think that
    is very important. That is a commander's role, and so I do
    believe that that requires further study.
        Senator Gillibrand. Thank you.
        Thanks, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you very much, Senator, Gillibrand.
        Let me recognize Senator Hawley, please.
        Senator Hawley. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        General, thank you for being here. Thank you for your
    service to our country. Thank you for being willing to continue
    that service.
        Let me start, if I could, with the problem of drugs coming
    across our southern border. I represent the state of Missouri.
    We have been deeply harmed, my state has, by the amount, the
    volume of drugs pouring across the southern border, and pouring
    into, unfortunately, every part of my state's schools,
    neighborhoods, small towns, big towns, everywhere.
        If you are confirmed, how do you intend to work with
    countries in the SOUTHCOM AOR to counter narcotics and to make
    sure that that effort is strong?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Thank you, Senator, and I
    share your concern, as well.
        We work very closely with partner nations and the
    interagency to counter this. I think that it just stems and
    creates violence, corruption, trafficking, poverty. It just, it
    is a recipe of a lot of things coming together which are all
    very negative and create insecurity and instability in the
    region.
        Senator Hawley. Do you have any thoughts about how you
    might work with the countries in the AOR to bolster the
    counter-narcotics effort to make it stronger than it currently
    is?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, certainly, Senator,
    through our Security Cooperation programs and being able to do
    the subject-matter expert exchanges. In the section 333, the
    train and equip, there is counter-narcotics training, military
    intelligence-operations training, continuing to reinforce the
    rule of law, human rights as we go forward with the training.
        But it is persistent. We try to do that with allies and
    partners, as well; not just the U.S. alone. So, to bolster
    that, and to have an integrated deterrence in this region.
        Senator Hawley. Very good.
        Let me shift gears to talk about China. Earlier this year,
    Admiral Faller shared with this Committee his going concern
    about China's military presence in Latin America. I want to ask
    you if you are worried that China might one day seek to
    establish a regular or permanent military presence in our
    hemisphere in the SOUTHCOM AOR?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, certainly, I look at
    their Belt and Road Initiative. Nineteen countries in Latin
    America have signed onto that, as well as the 29 deepwater port
    deals, newer or improved ports that they have invested billions
    of dollars in, as well. I look at this as the PLA looking to
    project and sustain military power eventually in the region,
    and so I think that we have to be very concerned about that.
        Senator Hawley. Would it be a violation of the Monroe
    Doctrine if the PLA did, indeed, attempt to project and
    sustain, as you say, a military presence in this hemisphere?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. I think as Chinese State-
    owned enterprises come in and look as if they are commercial
    enterprises creating the infrastructure goes to that global
    logistics and basing infrastructure, but also to dual-use
    facilities. So, they might look like their civilian facilities,
    where actually, they could be used by the PLA.
        Senator Hawley. If you are confirmed, how would you seek to
    counter China's efforts to expand its military and intelligence
    efforts in what would be your AOR?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, the levers that
    SOUTHCOM has to compete with China in this region is Security
    Cooperation and engagement, and it is having your jersey on,
    having your number, and on the field with our partners each and
    every day. As I talked about before, having allies and partners
    is also part of that, so it is not just the United States.
        But these exercises that SOUTHCOM has done three in the
    past 6 months has four more on the horizon in the next 6
    months, trains thousands of soldiers in our partner militaries,
    but also ally and partner nation militaries, as well.
        Senator Hawley. If you are confirmed, General, would you
    commit to informing us, informing Congress of any attempt by
    China to deploy missiles to the SOUTHCOM AOR that could range
    the U.S. Homeland or other American Forces in the Western
    Hemisphere?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I would,
    absolutely, if confirmed, as the SOUTHCOM commander, would make
    sure that I inform the Secretary of Defense and the
    Administration and Congress of that.
        Senator Hawley. Very good.
        Finally here in my last remaining seconds, still on the
    subject of China, can you just give us a sense, if I could, of
    the challenges that are posed. We talked about China trying to
    project its military influence, but also its economic
    influence. You mentioned the Belt and Road Initiative.
        So, describe for us, the challenges that are posed by their
    efforts, especially when it comes to port access,
    telecommunications infrastructure, the Panama Canal, give us a
    sense of the challenges there.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Certainly. If I just take
    the Panama Canal, the two ports on either end of the canal are
    owned by Chinese state-owned enterprises, and so that is very
    concerning. Again, I go back and I look at it through the
    military lens of the PLA trying to project and sustain power
    within the region and having the capability to do so under the
    cover of global logistics and basing infrastructure that looks
    benign because it looks commercial, but, again, could be used
    for dual use.
        Senator Hawley. Very good. Thank you very much, General.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Hawley.
        Let me recognize Senator Blumenthal, please.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.
        I was alarmed, as I know many at the Pentagon were, by
    reports about Iranian----
        Chairman Reed. Senator, is your mike on?
        Senator Blumenthal. It is on. I will begin again.
        I know many were alarmed by the reports of Iranian
    missiles, Iranian vessels carrying arms, potentially including
    missiles to Venezuela. It was speculated that those shipments
    were designed to fulfill a deal that Iran and Venezuela made a
    year ago and the types of weapons might include long-range
    missiles.
        Commercial satellite imagery of one of the ships showed
    fast-attack boats loaded on the deck of those vessels.
    Ultimately, as you know, the vessels were re-routed and didn't
    transmit anything to Venezuela, but given the volatility of oil
    prices and the current situation in Venezuela, how concerned
    are you that the Iranians will, again, attempt, possibly, to
    complete a shipment of arms to Venezuela?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I only heard part
    of that last part of your question, and so I think that has to
    do with the concern of Iran with Venezuela in the region and
    those two ships that were headed for Venezuela but ended up not
    arriving there?
        Senator Blumenthal. Let me shift to a different microphone.
        [Pause.]
        Senator Blumenthal. How concerned are you that Iran may,
    again, attempt, possibly, to ship missiles or other arms to
    Venezuela?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. So, very concerned.
    Obviously, they are the largest state sponsor of terror. They
    will continue their malign influence in the region.
        Certainly, they exchange with Venezuela, petroleum for arms
    to avoid sanctions, and so I expect this would probably
    continue and, certainly, it is very concerning in the region.
        Senator Blumenthal. What action would you suggest the
    United States ought to take in response to another ship?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. So, I look at this, Senator,
    as a whole-of-government approach that has to lead from the
    front. Obviously, in terms of, if confirmed as a SOUTHCOM
    commander, I would work with the international agency, as well
    as our partners, in the sharing of information and
    intelligence. As long as we have the 5G clean path of entry and
    exit of data, sharing of intel within this region to continue
    to be able to see what is occurring.
        Senator Blumenthal. In your posture statement, you stated
    that China and Russia are using the COVID-19 pandemic to gain
    greater influence in South America.
        Can you give more specifics about how that is occurring.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes, Senator, thank you.
        I think, quite honestly, they are using, there are strings
    attached. There are, as I said in my opening statement, it is
    the hand of exploitation; we will give you this vaccine, but
    you need to pay for it and we will provide it.
        So, it comes with strings attached. It comes with fine
    print and/or to be used later as leverage to coerce the country
    or partner nation into something else.
        Senator Blumenthal. Is that happening with any specific
    nations that you can cite?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I believe it is,
    with vaccine, Brazil and I believe it is the Dominican Republic
    that if China would provide some vaccine if they agreed to the
    5G with Huawei.
        Senator Blumenthal. Finally, and I apologize if this
    question has been asked, are you familiar with the so-called
    Havana Syndrome and do you think that the United States should
    be taking additional efforts to counter it, to understand it,
    to study it, and will you commit to undertaking it?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I share your
    concern on the Havana Syndrome.
        I have seen the news reports on the Havana Syndrome and the
    effects that it has, and I am absolutely committed, if
    confirmed, to being part of that whole-of-government approach,
    as that is addressed.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Blumenthal.
        Senator Tillis, please?
        Senator Tillis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        General Richardson, thank you for being here and for your
    years of service.
        You know, I have been here for 6 and a half years and every
    time I meet with a SOUTHCOM commander, resources always comes
    up as one of the top issues or lack of resources, particularly
    around manpower and ISR.
        Do you, going into this role, do you share that concern
    that we need to really focus on resourcing and your future area
    of responsibility?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I have seen Admiral
    Faller talk about the resourcing constraints and the issues
    and, certainly, if confirmed, I am committed to certainly
    having a full review of the resources that are allocated to
    U.S. SOUTHCOM and coming back to the Secretary of Defense if I
    need additional resources.
        Senator Tillis. Well, I have heard a number of them express
    their frustration that they may have situational awareness, but
    they don't have operational capacity to interdict a number of
    illicit, what they believe are ostensibly illicit actions in
    the area of responsibility.
        What is your view of the Coast Guard and how important they
    are in partnering with you in your, in SOUTHCOM?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Hugely important, Senator,
    and thank you for asking about the Coast Guard.
        Certainly, through our Joint Interagency Task Force-South
    that is underneath U.S. SOUTHCOM, commanded by a Coast Guard
    officer, and I understand, also, on the SOUTHCOM staff, the
    operations officer is from the Coast Guard. But, certainly with
    the ships, the cutters that are provided by the Coast Guard,
    their ability to conduct their law enforcement mission, as well
    as what the U.S. Navy provides in terms of ships to U.S.
    SOUTHCOM, as well, hugely important and helpful.
        Senator Tillis. I know some of my colleagues have asked
    questions about Russia, China, and Iran's activities in your
    area of responsibility. Can you just briefly explain in
    kitchen-table terms why the American people should be as
    concerned as most of the Members of this Committee.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, certainly, the
    SOUTHCOM AOR, the proximity to the United States, this is, as
    Admiral Faller referred to it, our shared neighborhood, our
    shared hemisphere, and so the proximity to the United States.
    The economic ties that we have the region, as well, in terms of
    just economy, trade, those sorts of things. Familial ties, just
    off the charts in terms of the families that are interconnected
    in this region. Certainly have China in our neighborhood is a
    concern.
        Senator Tillis. Between Russia, China, and Iran, what can
    you tell us about disinformation, their open and sometimes
    covert campaigns to misinform the folks that live in your
    future area of responsibility. Is it rampant? It seems to be.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Absolutely. The pace at
    which it is expanding is, and far-reaching is very much
    concerning and so, that China, Russia uses to exploit, deny,
    manipulate United States allies and partners in the region in
    order to control the attitudes, perceptions, and the behaviors.
    So, very concerning.
        Russia Today, 2009 is when it entered in the region. It has
    more than doubled now. It had seven million listeners. Now, it
    is over 18 million. This is expanding at quite a large rate.
        Senator Tillis. Last question is, you know, I have heard
    other prior commanders in SOUTHCOM say that we really need to
    focus on working with partner nations to, the best way to
    secure our southern border is to work with Mexico and nations
    on the southern border of Mexico.
        Do you agree with that assessment, if we are going to make
    headway on stemming the tide of what we are seeing for the
    unprecedented border crossings right now?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes, Senator, I agree with
    that. I think it is very important, our relationship with
    Mexico and under U.S. NORTHCOM, I have the Theater Security
    Cooperation responsibilities to partner with Mexico and the
    Mexican Army, which we do, and operate the Border Commanders
    program, as well, as Security Cooperation with SEDENA.
        Senator Tillis. Thank you very much.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Tillis.
        Let me recognize Senator Rosen, via Webex.
        Senator Rosen. Well, thank you, Chairman Reed, and Ranking
    Member Inhofe. I appreciate the hearing.
        I want to thank General Richardson for speaking with me, I
    guess it was last week, and, of course, for your service to our
    country.
        General Richardson, back in March, current SOUTHCOM
    commander, Admiral Faller, well, he testified before this
    Committee and when I asked him about Hezbollah's presence in
    Latin America, he mentioned their growing presence in Venezuela
    and their continued involvement in the tri-border region of
    Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil.
        Since then, I have joined Senator Blackburn in introducing
    the legislation that would shed light on Hezbollah's operations
    in the region and provide authorities in Latin America, and
    here in the United States, with the tools necessary to crack
    down on the group's agenda.
        So, General Richardson, if confirmed, what strategy would
    you deploy to disrupt Hezbollah's agenda in Latin America,
    including coordinating with our regional partners?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, certainly, Senator,
    the Security Cooperation and engagement that we do, how we
    engage to counter those external influences, especially with
    the Lebanese Hezbollah and, quite honestly, the connection to
    the Lebanese diaspora in this region is nine million people,
    which equates to about 200 million in remittance per year, back
    to Iran. So, I share your concern on this issue.
        Certainly, the Security Cooperation, working aggressively
    with our partner nation militaries and working with our allies
    and partners to also participate with us in the region, I
    think, is extremely important to create this integrated
    deterrence across the region.
        Senator Rosen. I appreciate that.
        I wonder if you could just update for everyone what you
    think are some of the most concerning threats that Hezbollah
    poses to the United States interests in the Western Hemisphere.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, certainly, as they
    exchange with Venezuela, exchange arms for petroleum, continue
    to sow violence, corruption, and just create instability and
    insecurity within the region, and we have just got to counter
    this external malign influence that they continue to create
    within the region.
        Senator Rosen. Thank you, I appreciate that.
        I would like to move on to talk a little bit about Chinese
    and technology in South America, because it is no secret that
    the Chinese have sponsored, they have State-sponsored companies
    and those companies have ambitions of assisting countries in
    South America and, of course, building their infrastructure,
    building their communications networks. ZTE and others are
    already helping Venezuela to build a system that monitors
    people's behavior through a new identification card called a
    fatherland card. Smart countries are considering these vendors
    to close the technology gap. I am deeply concerned about what
    this means to us.
        So, General Richardson, if confirmed, how will you work
    with our partners in Latin America to prevent the widespread
    deployment of Chinese technology that, we think is going to
    pose a threat right here to us in America?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Thank you, Senator. Again, I
    share your concern on this.
        Certainly, with ``smart city, safe city'' technology, the
    personnel surveillance technology that China employs, safe
    city, smart city sound like a very nice term in order to have
    this capability, but, in turn, turns out to be a personnel
    surveillance technology.
        Having voting records, as you mentioned, the fatherland
    card that ZTE has produced, in Venezuela, it ties the voting
    record to access to food and access to health aid and things
    like that is extremely concerning. So, certainly, countering,
    working with our partners, having that discussion and letting
    them know, we already have some countries that have been told--
    that don't like the fact that they signed up for this
    originally and now see what it has brought to their country and
    are interested in getting rid of it. So, quite honestly, I
    think having that frank conversation about what this actually
    means for them.
        Senator Rosen. Thank you. I appreciate both your answers
    because I do believe that Iranian-backed terrorists, other
    terrorists coming to the Southern Hemisphere, our national
    security with Chinese technology get proliferated throughout
    the Southern Hemisphere, as well, has deep implications for our
    national security.
        I look forward to your confirmation and working with you on
    preventing that.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Rosen.
        Let me recognize Senator Sullivan, please.
        Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        General, congratulations. Congrats to your family. I think
    you have a very strong background. You have been a great
    example in many ways. I look forward to being a strong
    supporter of yours and your confirmation.
        I want to kind of take the questioning in a different
    direction. I had Secretary Austin in Alaska. I hosted him there
    about 10 days ago. You know, the best part of those kinds of
    trips when our military leaders, civilian, or uniformed come to
    my state and get to meet the community is so supported. But
    really, really, the best part was just meeting the troops and
    the Army, airmen, others, so impressive, you know, black,
    white, native, non-native.
        You know, in the military, we don't talk about skin color;
    we talk about, are you good or not good?
        Damn it, these men and women are the best and their
    families, too. I think they are the best and brightest, most
    patriotic group of people we have in the country. It was great
    to show them off to the Secretary of Defense.
        Would you agree with me on that, given your experience and
    their families, by the way.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Absolutely.
        Senator Sullivan. Good. I do, too.
        You know, there has been this narrative, to be honest, it
    is post-January 6 issues in the media. Some political
    commentators, unfortunately, maybe even some elected leaders,
    that somehow the military is filled with extremists and
    supremacists and, you know, pick up the Washington Post, they
    love to kind of fan the flames of this. No data ever presented,
    but it is always out there. It is the new narrative that our
    men and women, in fact, we had an Under Secretary testify here
    that one of his top priorities was to stamp out systemic racism
    within the ranks.
        When I asked him, have you ever served in the ranks?
        No.
        Do you have data to back up that claim? It is a pretty
    broad and aggressive claim.
        No, I have no data.
        So, there is even one bologna estimate out there, 10
    percent of the force, supposedly, by some, I don't know who
    estimated it, but it was repeated in a hearing here that 10
    percent of the force is extremists in the military,
    supremacists. That is hundreds of thousands of troops.
        Do you believe that it is 10 percent?
        I don't. I don't think it is, but I want to know what you
    think.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, Senator, I can talk
    about Army North, which is what I am in command of and Fort Sam
    Houston----
        Senator Sullivan. But, I mean, you are a three-star
    general, getting ready to be a four-star general.
        In your experience, do you think it is even remotely--let
    me give you an example? We had two combatant commanders here, I
    put that number out. They said not only no but given the
    vetting that goes on in their commands, they doubt there are
    any extremists.
        What is your view?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, Senator, just in terms
    of my perspective, I never say never, but in terms of my
    command at Fort Sam Houston in Texas and the command of Army
    North, and, certainly, we have gone through the extremism
    training, how to identify it, how to report it, and those sorts
    of things, and we have not had any reports within my command,
    which is what I can speak about.
        Senator Sullivan. But in your Army experience, 10 percent,
    do you think that is even remotely in the ballpark?
        I don't.
        It is really important to me and I think you can just say
    it, say no, if you don't think so. Do you think tens of
    thousands or hundreds of thousands of military members fall
    into that category, in your experience?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. In my experience, no,
    Senator.
        Senator Sullivan. Yes, me, either.
        Now, when those generals made that statement, evidently,
    some political guy in the Pentagon came out the next couple of
    days saying, oh, the generals are wrong. I think these generals
    had over 80 years of experience, but somehow they are wrong.
        Here is my question, and I think it should be an easy one.
    Will you commit to me and this Committee to stand up for our
    troops, you know them, you are part of them, when such
    unsubstantiated claims come from political appointees, members
    of Congress, the media?
        I think it is really important to have our uniformed
    military, even though, you know, let's face it, in today's
    environment, it takes a little courage to say, no, that is not
    what I know. That is not what I understand.
        Can you commit to me as you become a four-star general and
    combatant commander to stand up for our troops on what you
    think is really the truth on this, because it is really
    important, and the narrative out there really undermines morale
    of the troops and the families.
        These are the best men and women in the country and yet,
    they are being besmirched with no data on somehow they are a
    bunch of extremists. Will you commit to me and this committee,
    when that comes up, and it will, that you will look whoever is
    telling you that in the eyes and say, no, that is not true.
    That is not my experience. Get some data and we can discuss it,
    but it is a really important issue.
        Can I get your commitment on that, General?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Absolutely, Senator, I give
    you my commitment.
        I will speak about what I know about and what I am in
    command of, Senator.
        Senator Sullivan. Good. I look forward to supporting your
    confirmation and will be asking additional questions for the
    record.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Sullivan.
        Now, let me recognize Senator Manchin, via Webex.
        Senator Manchin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Thank you, Lieutenant General Richardson, for your service
    to our country.
        Can you hear me?
        Chairman Reed. We can hear you now, Senator.
        Senator Manchin. Okay. I am going to say it again.
        Thank you, Lieutenant General Richardson, for your service
    to our country.
        My question is Russia has continued to destabilize
    Venezuela in politics with its continued assistance to Maduro.
    His leadership has effectively confirmed Venezuela's status as
    an authoritarian nation.
        My question is, how do you plan to increase our engagement
    with partners in South America and Latin America to stop the
    flow of narcotics out of Venezuela?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. So, I share your concern,
    Senator.
        Certainly, Russia is Venezuela's number one military
    partner, and Russia routinely conducts port calls with its
    warships into Venezuela, as well as refueling of strategic
    bombers, and Russia also sends military training support to
    Venezuela, as well.
        The Security Cooperation and engagement, Senator, is what
    SOUTHCOM has to aggressively engage in this region. Certainly,
    with partner nations around Venezuela that are affected by what
    is going on. Certainly, the humanitarian crisis with what is
    occurring there, five million displaced personnel, as well as
    one and a half million that have gone into Colombia, alone.
    Working with our partner nations, knowing that, making sure
    that they know that the U.S. is committed with a whole-of-
    government approach regarding all of the activity that is
    occurring in this area of operations.
        Senator Manchin. Thank you very much.
        In an effort to bring greater stability to the Northern
    Triangle nations of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, I was
    pleased to see that the State Department restarts the Central
    American Minors program to allow for the processing of refugees
    within their own nations instead of participating in the
    dangerous trek across Central America to the United States'
    southern border to claim asylum.
        Additionally, this program works with the United Nations to
    settle eligible refugees in global nations, instead of creating
    dangerous backlogs solely within the U.S. immigration system.
    One issue I am worried about with this program is the matter of
    security for these refugees in their home nations before being
    sailed abroad.
        So, can you commit to learning about the program and how
    SOUTHCOM can work to support it?
        I have always believed that we should have, for lack of a
    better, like safe havens for these people as they are going
    through the vetting process. We have been able to do it in
    America with violence shelters, domestic violence shelters all
    over our country, and I can't see why we can't find a better
    solution of how we can protect people who are looking for
    asylum to see if they qualify. So, any thoughts on that would
    be appreciated.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I do commit to
    learning more about that program, as you described it, sir.
        Senator Manchin. How has aggressively pursuing the practice
    of predatory lending and infrastructure projects in the
    SOUTHCOM area of operations creating what we call debt traps,
    with port projects in Panama, Ecuador, and Honduras, and
    infrastructure projects in over two-thirds, 23 of the 31 of the
    South American countries? If China gains control of major ports
    and areas of commerce in SOUTHCOM, we risk economic loss,
    intellectual property losses, and the ability to effectively
    counter narcotics, including the Chinese-supplied Fentanyl.
        Are you familiar with the latest attitudes from our allies
    in South America towards these predatory lending behaviors?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I am aware of the
    predatory lending behaviors of China and all of the countries--
    the number of countries that have signed up for the Belt and
    Road Initiative, all the infrastructure projects with billions
    of dollars of loans, as well as a 5G and Huawei and
    subsidiaries of Huawei, as well, for the IT infrastructure, and
    I share your concern with that.
        Certainly, if confirmed as the SOUTHCOM commander, I will
    work aggressively with our partner nations to counter that
    external influence.
        Senator Manchin. I think what has to be done there, if they
    had a better alternative, do you believe that they would turn
    to the United States, I mean, rather work with the United
    States, as opposed to China. If that is the case and you know
    it to be so and true, are you going to prioritize in your
    budgetary request for this type of assistance?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, if it--absolutely.
    As I committed to you, I will look further into this program,
    and if it, as you said, furthers along the cause and working
    with our partner nations more closely to help them bolster
    against the external influence.
        Senator Manchin. You are going to have to be very
    aggressive on that one. I appreciate it and will give you all
    the support you need because I think it is very dangerous to
    have our southern border being kind of overcompensated by a
    foreign ally or a foreign adversary, such as China. and what
    they are intent is. So, I look forward to working with you on
    this.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Thank you, Senator.
        Senator Manchin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Manchin.
        Now, let me recognize Senator Scott.
        Senator Scott. Thank you, Chairman.
        Thank you, General Richardson, for your service and
    congratulations on your nomination. You will love living in
    Florida. You will love the Miami community. It is a wonderful
    group of people who work at SOUTHCOM.
        What would happen in Latin America if the Cuban regime
    failed and we actually had democracy and freedom in Cuba, what
    would happen in Venezuela or the attacks we are seeing in
    Colombia or Ortega's power in Nicaragua?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Certainly, Senator, we have
    a long history with Cuba and they undermine the United States
    and are an authoritarian advisor, so to speak, with Venezuela
    and Nicaragua, and certainly prop up the Maduro regime in
    Venezuela, and certainly, if we had democracy in Cuba, I think
    that would change things dramatically in the AOR.
        Senator Scott. So, how important do you think it is to get
    the internet back on in Cuba to help the Cuban population to be
    able to talk to each other, to be able to confront what is
    going on with the Castro regime right now?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, certainly, Senator, I
    share your concern about them being able to communicate with
    each other. If confirmed, I commit to you to working
    aggressively, as part of the whole-of-government approach, as
    we deal with the Cuba.
        Senator Scott. So, is there anything that SOUTHCOM can do
    on its own to try to get the internet back on in Cuba?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, if confirmed as the
    SOUTHCOM commander, I would definitely look into that and find
    out what we could do or be a part of that whole-of-government
    approach in addressing that with Cuba.
        Senator Scott. As commander of SOUTHCOM, would you use your
    pulpit to talk about the atrocities that are going on, the
    tortures of dissidents, the attack on peaceful protesters, and
    all the other atrocities that go on with the Cuban Castro
    regime?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Certainly. The training that
    we provide and the United States and the Security Cooperation
    has, as its core principle, human rights, the rule of law, and
    that is baked into all of the training, and we aggressively
    work that with all of our partner nations and our militaries
    that we conduct Security Cooperation with. So, we would
    absolutely continue with that very aggressively.
        Senator Scott. But do you have the ability to speak to the
    American public about what is going on in Cuba as commander of
    SOUTHCOM and would you do that?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Well, certainly, Senator,
    probably in support of the Department of State, who has the
    lead for the diplomacy and engagement with Cuba, and supporting
    the Administration with what is occurring there, I would be in
    support of that, if confirmed as the SOUTHCOM commander.
        Senator Scott. Is there anything that you could do, that
    SOUTHCOM has the ability to help get the internet back on? Is
    there anything that they could provide? Are there other
    resources?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. In terms of engaging with
    the Security Cooperation and engagement, Senator, I would have
    to, if confirmed, I will work with the Department of State on
    these options and provide you with that assessment.
        Senator Scott. So, as commander of the SOUTHCOM, have you
    already formulated your ideas of what you could do, whether it
    is to eliminate the Castro regime, the Maduro regime, the
    Ortega regime, or stop the attacks that are going on in
    Colombia? Have you thought through what you would be doing
    different than what Admiral Faller is doing?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Certainly. As I have looked
    at how Admiral Faller and the SOUTHCOM team have engaged in
    this region, I think that they have aggressively worked all of
    the levers and continue to improve upon what they are doing,
    working with our partner nations and our partner militaries.
        I think, also, the allies and partners, the more allies and
    partners that are working alongside us to bolster that
    integrated deterrence and helping to increase our partner
    nations that are neighbors to Venezuela, as well as Nicaragua
    and Cuba is extremely important.
        Senator Scott. Admiral Faller has been vocal about the
    malign Chinese influence in Latin America. Are you willing to
    be as vocal as he is?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, if confirmed as the
    SOUTHCOM commander, I think Admiral Faller has called it like
    it is, and if confirmed, I would do the same.
        Senator Scott. What use do you think Guantanamo Bay has,
    besides holding terrorists?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. I'm sorry, Senator. Could
    you----
        Senator Scott. What use does Guantanamo Bay have, besides
    holding terrorists?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, that would be used
    if we had to conduct a noncombatant evacuation, Humanitarian
    Assistance, for example, if there was a natural disaster or
    something like that, that would be used as a staging area,
    there, at the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
        Senator Scott. Thank you.
        Thank you, Chairman.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Scott.
        Let me recognize Senator Peters, via Webex.
        Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Good morning, General. Congratulations on your nomination
    to this very important position. We certainly appreciate your
    willingness to serve, plus your years of service to date.
        That is where I want to begin. First, I would like to
    recognize and thank Army North for all of its efforts across
    the country during the pandemic, but especially, your
    administration of the community vaccination center at Ford
    Field in Detroit. That was an incredible operation and that
    really jump-started our ability to get folks vaccinated
    throughout Michigan. So, thank you for your leadership and the
    men and women who you work with to make that happen.
        General, last week, we discussed that what may be probably
    the most fundamental challenge that you will face, if
    confirmed, as commander of SOUTHCOM, and that is how to apply
    the military instrument of power to non-military problems that
    exist throughout the region, from corruption to money-
    laundering, climate change, and, certainly, the persistent
    requirement for Humanitarian Assistance.
        As you well know, Honduras, the Hondurans, the Salvadorans,
    the Guatemalans all routinely identify government failures as
    one of the most significant challenges that face their country.
    So, my question for you is, how can you help build partner
    capacity to bolster the capacities of these governments, not
    just of their military or security services, but more broadly
    to help stabilize this region, particularly, in Honduras, El
    Salvador, and Guatemala?
        As chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, we are
    well aware that what happens in those countries has a direct
    impact on our southern border.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes, thank you for the
    question, Senator.
        Certainly, with the integration, I think working with our
    partner militaries, but also with the integration of Women,
    Peace and Security is extremely important, as well as the NCO
    development that we can continue to foster within these partner
    nation militaries is a way to do that. Also, all domains, it is
    critical that we have domain awareness in all our domains and
    protect against cyber, cyberspace, and things like that, and I
    look forward to working with General Nakasone from CYBERCOM and
    General Dickinson from SPACECOM for furthering our efforts in
    this region, which is so very important.
        Senator Peters. Well, I appreciate that, General. I
    appreciate your bringing up the cybersecurity aspects of it.
    From your answer it is clear that you believe that cyber or
    security assistance should definitely include cybersecurity. We
    know that our neighbors are under constant attack by cyber
    criminals, as well as state-sponsored actors, whether they be
    Chinese, Russian, or from the Iranian Government. So, that has
    to be a part of it.
        Related to that is one aspect that I find very concerning
    is the fact that we are seeing aggressive and sophisticated
    disinformation campaigns being used around the world by our
    adversaries and, particularly used during election times. If I
    look at your region, there are nine ``head of state'' elections
    in Latin America over the next 18 months, not to mention local,
    constitutional, and legislative elections. Certainly, these,
    the voters in these countries deserve to participate in a
    democratic process, free from disinformation operations.
        If Cyber Command possessed the capacity and the authority
    to empower regional allies with information and training to
    deal with this threat, how can Southern Command enable this
    effort?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Certainly, Senator, if
    confirmed, I will work this very aggressively, especially with
    all the elections in the Latin American region that are coming
    up in the very near future. And so, would work to understand
    exactly how we can utilize, to the best of our ability, what
    CYBERCOM has to offer, as well as SPACECOM.
        But, also, you know, in terms of military information
    support to operations is extremely important regarding dynamic
    force employment and using the ability of us to be able to get
    forces into the region when we are doing multilateral training
    exercises, how quickly we can get a force in and on the ground.
    We need to be highlighting all the aspects of that in these
    multinational training exercises with all the capabilities that
    are brought to bear there. Working with our partner nation
    militaries, I think, can also help with that strategic
    narrative and drown out our competition.
        Senator Peters. Great. Thank you, General.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Peters.
        Let me recognize Senator Kelly, please.
        Senator Kelly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        General Richardson, congratulations on your historic
    nomination to command the United States Southern Command and
    your promotion to general.
        Earlier, Senator Rounds and Senator Hawley had questions
    about bases and weapons systems, specifically, Senator Hawley,
    about missiles in the SOUTHCOM region. You know, our
    partnership with South American nations are critical to
    ensuring safety and stability in the region and today we enjoy
    a relatively peaceful Western Hemisphere, so I want to follow-
    up a little bit on, and go a little more in detail on their
    line of questioning.
        I am very concerned by China's efforts to pursue arms deals
    with countries right in our backyard. The potential of Chinese
    fighter jets in South America is of great concern and we had a
    good discussion on the subject last week, and I want to
    continue that here.
        Argentina used to fly the Mirage III. It is a fighter jet
    built by the French. I have flown it a couple times, evaluated
    it. I could see why in 2015 they decided to retire the Mirage
    III. They have been trying to acquire a replacement, including
    western airplanes, but run into roadblocks, because parts are
    often made in the U.K. and a fallout of the Falklands War,
    which started an ended while I was in high school, is still an
    issue, that we are having, it is challenging to sell western
    fighter jets to Argentina. Because of that, they are looked at
    and pursued purchasing the JF-17 from the Chinese, which is of
    great concern to me and others.
        So, General, what do you think we can do with our
    Argentinian partners here to assist them in meeting their
    procurement needs with either our platforms or some of our
    allies?
        A good replacement option for the Mirage III could be the
    F-16, but we have got this persistent issue surrounding parts
    that are built in the U.K.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Senator, I share your
    concern with Chinese military equipment being in this area of
    operations, in the SOUTHCOM AOR. Certainly, our engagement with
    the country of Argentina and being able to have the discussions
    with them, open discussions and continue to work as part of the
    whole-of-government approach with our foreign military sales,
    our foreign military financial system, to be able to support
    this and counter that external influence being in our shared
    hemisphere and in our neighborhood.
        Senator Kelly. General, do you think this is at the level
    now of maybe this needs to be elevated to the State Department
    to ensure that the JF-17 is not sold to Argentina?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Certainly. If confirmed,
    Senator, I will work very closely with the State Department on
    our foreign military sales and FMF programs and work with our
    partner nation of Argentina to try and counter against that.
        Senator Kelly. By the way, I haven't confirmed this, but
    the JF-17 seems to have Martin-Baker ejection seats in it,
    which is manufactured in the U.K., so it seems to be a similar
    issue. But I hope we can overcome this. I mean, they are an
    ally of ours. To have JF-17s in our hemisphere, I think is, you
    know, just takes us down a road that we do not want to go down.
        So, thank you, General.
        Mr. Chairman, I yield back the remainder of my time.
        Chairman Reed. Thank you, Senator Kelly.
        General Richardson, thank you and your family for your
    extraordinary service to the Nation and the Army over many
    years. We look forward to, I look forward to your nomination
    and to your service. Once again, thank you.
        With that, I will adjourn the hearing.
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Thank you, Chairman.
        [Whereupon, at 11:16 a.m., the Committee adjourned.]
                                    ------

        [Prepared questions submitted to Lieutenant General Laura
    J. Richardson, USA by Chairman Reed prior to the hearing with
    answers supplied follow:]

                           duties and qualifications
        Question. What is your understanding of the duties and functions of
    the Commander, U. S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)?
        Answer. Title 10 of the United States Code and the 2020 Unified
    Command Plan (UCP) outlines U. S. SOUTHCOM's (SOUTHCOM) missions,
    responsibilities, and geographic area of responsibility (AOR). SOUTHCOM
    is a unified Combatant Command responsible for contingency planning,
    operations, and security cooperation for Central and South America and
    the Caribbean. In this capacity, the SOUTHCOM Commander is responsible
    for detecting, deterring, and preventing threats and attacks against
    the United States. Specific tasks include defending the Panama Canal
    and Canal area, building and enhancing regional security partnerships,
    and being the principal contact on military matters pertaining to the
    AOR enabling interagency and DoD counterparts to advance U.S. influence
    and interests in the region.
        Question. What background and experience do you possess that you
    believe qualify you to perform these duties?
        Answer. I am humbled and honored to be nominated as Commander,
    SOUTHCOM. If confirmed, I will use the combined experience of my 34
    years in uniform. Commanding at multiple echelons provided me numerous
    opportunities to work with interagency teammates and multinational
    militaries, and to lead joint formations comprised of all services in
    the Department of Defense. Most recently, as the Commander of U.S. Army
    North, I served as NORTHCOM's Joint Force Land Component Command for
    the Homeland. This included the command, control, and employment of the
    Joint Force in support of the lead federal agencies in charge of COVID
    operations, hurricane and wildfire responses, foreign disaster relief
    in the Bahamas, earthquake response in Puerto Rico, and the Southwest
    Border mission. Simultaneously, we executed security cooperation
    programs and developed strong relationships with our Mexican Army and
    Air Force partners, as well as our Canadian Army allies.
        As a General Officer in NATO's International Security Assistance
    Force (ISAF) Command, I was responsible for ISAF's strategic
    communications, with the additional mission to train, advise, and
    assist the President, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Interior
    Spokesmen/Public Affairs Teams. Working with the militaries of more
    than 40 nations on the ISAF Staff demonstrated to me the strategic
    importance of NATO and the coalition of allies and partners. I have
    also had the privilege to serve as the Army's Chief of Legislative
    Liaison, and also the Army Senate Liaison Chief, which broadened my
    understanding of the Legislative Branch, our government processes and
    the vital constitutional role of Congress in defense and oversight. I
    commanded Soldiers in combat during the initial assault and first year
    in Iraq while assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, and conducted
    stability operations for a geographic area working with Iraqi civilian
    leaders to provide security and care for their citizens. As a young
    officer, I served in the Executive Branch as an emergency action
    officer for the Vice President and worked within our national security
    enterprise at the strategic level which was foundational as I
    progressed through my career. These experiences have prepared me for
    the challenges and opportunities I will face as Commander SOUTHCOM, and
    if confirmed, I will draw upon the lessons I have learned throughout my
    career.
        Question. Do you believe that there are any steps that you need to
    take to enhance your expertise to perform the duties of the SOUTHCOM
    Commander?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will review all plans for which SOUTHCOM is
    responsible. I will utilize the expertise of the SOUTHCOM staff to
    understand the laws, treaties, and agreements applicable within the
    SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR). I will also seek out the expert
    perspectives within the U.S. Government, academia, and the private
    sector. Traveling in the AOR and meeting directly with our U.S.
    missions and the partner nations' leaders and security forces, will be
    the best opportunity to learn about their culture, country, and
    security challenges. Working with our Partner Nations is a privilege,
    and I am extremely humbled to be afforded the opportunity to advance
    our vital national interests in a region with whom we share such deep
    cultural ties and geographical proximity.
                                 relationships
        Question. Section 162(b) of title 10, United States Code, provides
    that the chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of
    Defense and from the Secretary of Defense to the Combatant Commands.
    Other sections of law and traditional practice, however, establish
    important relationships outside the chain of command. Please describe
    your understanding of the relationship of the Commander, U.S. Southern
    Command, to the following:
        The Secretary of Defense.
        Answer. The Commander, U.S. Southern Command, reports directly to
    the Secretary of Defense and is responsible to the President and the
    Secretary of Defense for performing the military missions assigned to
    the Command and for exercising command authority over the forces
    assigned by the Secretary of Defense. The Commander is directly
    responsible to the Secretary of Defense for the ability of the Command
    to carry out its mission and looks to the Secretary to provide
    sufficient authority and forces to carry out those missions.
        Question. The Deputy Secretary of Defense.
        Answer. The Deputy Secretary of Defense performs duties delegated
    by the Secretary and performs the Secretary's duties in his absence.
    The Commander, U.S. Southern Command must ensure that the Deputy
    Secretary has the information necessary to perform those duties and
    coordinates with the Deputy on delegated issues.
        Question. The Under Secretaries of Defense.
        Answer. While the Commander, U.S. Southern Command does not have a
    direct command relationship with the Under Secretaries of Defense, it
    is important that the Commander communicate regularly with the
    appropriate Under Secretaries on strategic and regional security issues
    to ensure alignment within the Department.
        Question. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
    Staff.
        Answer. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is the
    principle military advisor to the President, the National Security
    Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense.
    According to the 2021 Unified Command Plan, the CJCS serves as the
    global integrator across combatant commands and the communication link
    between the Secretary of Defense or the President to the Combatant
    Commander. Facilitating the Chairman's role requires consistent
    communication and information from the Commander, U.S. Southern Command
    (SOUTHCOM) on events and activities in the AOR. The Vice Chairman of
    the Joint Chiefs of Staff performs duties assigned by the CJCS and
    performs the Chairman's duties in his absence. Accordingly, the
    SOUTHCOM Commander communicates with the Vice Chairman to enable his
    performance of these duties and responsibilities.
        Question. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for International
    Security Affairs.
        Answer. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for International
    Security Affairs is the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of
    Defense for Policy and the Secretary of Defense on all matters of
    international security strategy and DoD policy in Europe, Africa, the
    Middle East, Russia, Eurasia, and, most importantly for the SOUTHCOM
    Commander, the Western Hemisphere. This position also oversees security
    cooperation programs and military education and training, which are
    ultimately the primary engagement tools in the Western Hemisphere.
    Although the SOUTHCOM Commander does not have a direct command
    relationship with the Assistant Secretary, in my view, SOUTHCOM should
    be in regular communication with this office to ensure alignment with
    DoD security policy in the Western Hemisphere.
        Question. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense
    and Global Security.
        Answer. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and
    Global Security's responsibility in the areas of cyber, space,
    countering weapons of mass destruction, and homeland defense, make it a
    cross-cutting policy office. Given SOUTHCOM's mission to deter threats
    in all domains, I believe that the Commander should coordinate with the
    Assistant Secretary on all matters impacting the Homeland from Central
    and South America and the Caribbean, even though there is no direct
    command relationship with this office.
        Question. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations
    and Low-Intensity Conflict.
        Answer. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations
    and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) is responsible for many of the
    activities conducted every day within the U.S. Southern Command
    (SOUTHCOM) AOR including counterterrorism, information operations,
    counterdrug operations, detention operations, and humanitarian
    assistance and disaster relief efforts. While the SOUTHCOM Commander
    does not have a direct command relationship with the Assistant
    Secretary, my view is that regular coordination with the Assistant
    Secretary on issues of mutual concern and interest is important to
    mission success in these important areas.
        Question. The Service Secretaries and Service Chiefs.
        Answer. The Service Secretaries and Service Chiefs are responsible
    for organizing, training, and equipping their forces. They execute
    administrative control and support of forces assigned to SOUTHCOM
    through the Service Component Commands. The SOUTHCOM Commander
    coordinates regularly with the Service Secretaries and Chiefs to ensure
    the Services provide trained and ready forces to fulfill specific roles
    and missions. In order to be operationally successful and permit the
    Services to provide forces globally, the SOUTHCOM Commander clearly
    communicates operational requirements, and works with the Services to
    effectively and efficiently employ the assigned capabilities. The
    Commander also must convey future capability requirements so that the
    Services may program, design, and develop a lethal Joint Force.
        Question. The other Combatant Commanders, particularly U.S.
    Northern Command (NORTHCOM).
        Answer. The Commander U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) must
    frequently crosstalk and maintain open lines of communication with
    other Combatant Commanders in order to synchronize efforts against
    global threats. This means sharing information, intelligence, and
    coordinating across all domains. The SOUTHCOM Commander must maintain a
    close relationship with Commander of NORTHCOM regarding matters of
    Homeland Defense and Hemispheric concerns in order to secure the
    southern approaches to the homeland.
        Question. U.S. Chiefs of Mission within the SOUTHCOM area of
    responsibility (AOR).
        Answer. All SOUTHCOM operations and initiatives in the AOR are
    executed by, with, and through the embassies and Chiefs of Mission--the
    U.S. leadership and expertise on the ground. While the Commander, U.S.
    Southern Command does not have a formal relationship with the Chiefs of
    Mission, they are in regular communication to ensure unity of effort in
    each country, to include planning of security cooperation programs to
    meet national security objectives. SOUTHCOM also benefits from having a
    Civilian Deputy to the Commander, a senior State Department official,
    to facilitate regular engagement with Chiefs of Mission and the
    Department of State. On the ground, Senior Defense Officials are
    integrated into the country team and provide daily coordination with
    the embassies.
              national defense strategy and global posture review
        Question. The 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) prioritized the
    long-term, strategic competition with revisionist powers China and
    Russia as the primary challenge with which the United States must
    contend, while also recognizing the need to deter and counter rogue
    regimes like North Korea and Iran and move to a more resource-
    sustainable approach to counterterrorism. Implementing the NDS will
    require the Secretary of Defense and combatant commanders to carry out
    missions efficiently and make hard choices--including in AORs such as
    SOUTHCOM which prior commanders have identified as an ``economy of
    force'' combatant command.
        How would you define SOUTHCOM's essential missions in the AOR and
    what steps would you take to accomplish them within an economy of force
    approach?
        Answer. I understand that SOUTHCOM deters aggression, defeats
    threats, rapidly responds to crises, and builds regional capacity,
    working with allies, partner nations, and U.S. government team members
    to enhance security and defend the U.S. homeland and national
    interests. This critical role in the hemisphere includes supporting USG
    interagency-led efforts to counter Transnational Criminal Organizations
    and counter narcotics operations, as well as building partner capacity
    efforts, and when called upon, humanitarian efforts and disaster
    relief. In my view, by working together with international allies,
    partners in the region and U.S. government organizations active in the
    theater, SOUTHCOM can achieve a great return on investment for the
    United States.
        Question. If confirmed, how do you plan to support the objectives
    of the National Defense Strategy in the context of the SOUTHCOM AOR,
    particularly with respect to long-term, strategic competition with
    revisionist powers?
        Answer. Prevailing in strategic competition with China, or any
    other nation, is an enduring national security objective highlighted in
    both the 2018 National Defense Strategy and the 2021 Interim National
    Security Strategic Guidance. In the SOUTHCOM AOR, I assess that China,
    Russia, as well as Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) will
    seek to exploit vulnerabilities exacerbated by the global pandemic. If
    confirmed, I intend to maximize engagements with our military partners
    to strengthen regional resiliency, and expand the competitive space by
    reinforcing the actions of our diplomatic corps and key Executive
    Branch agencies including USAID and the Departments of State, Treasury,
    and others as they employ all elements of national power in the
    hemisphere. Additionally, the SOUTHCOM enterprise must deepen
    interoperability with allies and partners and integrate combined and
    joint solutions to global challenges. Together with our partners, I
    assess that we will overcome the corrupt and corrosive influence of
    China, the malign intentions of Russia, and stem the violent actions of
    TCOs.
        Question. Secretary of Defense Austin has announced that the
    Department will conduct a Global Posture Review to assess requirements
    for military capability.
        If confirmed, what role would you expect to play in that review?
        Answer. The Global Posture Review is a foundational process for
    achieving our national security objectives. If confirmed, I will
    provide my best military advice to the Secretary of Defense and the
    Department of Defense policy leadership on the appropriate level of
    presence and capability in the AOR.
        Question. In your view, what, if any, changes should be considered
    in reshaping the National Defense Strategy, taking into account recent
    developments in the SOUTHCOM AOR?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will conduct a full review of the
    priorities, challenges, and opportunities in the SOUTHCOM AOR. Much of
    the 2018 National Defense Strategy is still applicable to today's
    defense challenges in the strategic environment, such as our long-term
    competition with China, and the importance of strengthening alliances
    and attracting new partners.
                     major challenges, problems, priorities
        Question. If confirmed as the Commander of SOUTHCOM, you will be
    responsible for all military operations in that region. These include
    operations supporting homeland defense and security; supporting law
    enforcement activities to counter illicit trafficking efforts in source
    and transit countries and to counter transnational criminal
    organizations; responding to natural disasters and building foreign
    capability for disaster response; conducting detainee operations at
    Guantanamo Bay; and building the institutional capacity of foreign
    security forces that promotes the development of democratic values
    within the militaries of the region.
        In your view, what are the major challenges and problems you would
    confront if confirmed as the next Commander of SOUTHCOM?
        Answer. I am concerned about the increasing Chinese and Russian
    presence and influence in our hemisphere, particularly where these
    nations are strengthening ties with governments that do not share our
    democratic values (like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua), or taking
    advantage of our partners facing insecurity, instability, and long-term
    impacts of COVID-19. I am also concerned about Transnational Criminal
    Organizations. These organizations pose a direct threat to the United
    States as they traffic in drugs, weapons, humans, and other illicit
    goods. Their activities enable violence and corruption, and also drive
    migration. Additionally, the SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility is
    currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis as millions of Venezuelans
    flee the tragic conditions in their homeland. Further, the region is
    prone to natural disasters and SOUTHCOM must be ready to assist when
    these strike. Finally, with instability in both Cuba and Haiti,
    SOUTHCOM must be ready to respond in the event of a mass migration
    event in the Caribbean. In addition to these challenges, if confirmed,
    I would also be responsible for continuing the detainee operations
    mission at Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
        Question. If confirmed, what plans do you have for addressing these
    challenges and problems?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will maintain SOUTHCOM's primary mission of
    securing the southern approaches and collaborating with other U.S.
    Government agencies to advance security, economic prosperity, and
    regional stability. I fully expect that SOUTHCOM will return to pre-
    COVID levels of bilateral and multilateral training exercises to deepen
    interoperability with key strategic partners. I will also ensure that
    SOUTHCOM strengthens security cooperation and civil-military
    coordination on shared challenges like disaster response, supporting
    interagency-led efforts to countering criminal and terrorist networks,
    and stemming the flow of illicit drugs and other goods. I will also
    seek opportunities to expand human rights-related engagements in the
    region, increase professional military exchanges through International
    Military Education and Training (IMET) and other education and
    training, and foster partner nation defense institution building. I
    believe that SOUTHCOM is stronger and more effective against the
    challenges in the region when our partners are better trained, ethical,
    and effective members of the profession of arms, who understand their
    role in a democratic society. If confirmed, I will also continue to
    ensure the safe, legal, and humane care and treatment of detainees at
    Joint Task Force Guantanamo for as long as this mission continues.
        Question. If confirmed, what broad priorities would you establish
    and how would you define success and failure in your core missions in
    tangible terms?
        Answer. If confirmed, I see SOUTHCOM's success being determined by
    three mutually supporting priorities: (1) building regional resilience,
    (2) increasing interoperability and integration, and (3) remaining the
    partner of choice in the region. Building regional resilience will be
    an important key to countering all threats, including the corrosive
    influence of China, Russia, and Transnational Criminal Organizations.
    In my view, greater regional security and stability will, in turn,
    increase partner capacity to respond to crisis, provide humanitarian
    assistance, and execute disaster response, making the SOUTHCOM Area of
    Responsibility safer and stronger. Further, the United States can
    increase interoperability and integration with our partners across all
    domains by expanding participation in multilateral exercises,
    increasing professional military education opportunities, and expanding
    gender integration. These efforts will yield a high return on
    investment and will allow us to maintain a competitive security
    advantage. If confirmed, I will work to ensure the U.S. remains an
    engaged and trusted partner in the region, demonstrating our commitment
    through continued presence and serving as the example of a professional
    military force. In my view, failure would be SOUTHCOM's inability to
    (1) operate effectively below the level of conflict, (2) rapidly
    respond to a crisis when called upon, or (3) deter threats to the
    homeland emanating from this region. Undoubtedly, failure in our own
    hemisphere would threaten U.S. national security interests.
        Question. If confirmed, how would you work to ensure that
    Department of Defense (DOD) efforts in your AOR complement the efforts
    of civilian agencies?
        Answer. I have learned that SOUTHCOM has multiple well-established
    relationships with intergovernmental organizations including USAID, the
    Departments of State, Homeland Security, Treasury, and other agencies.
    I understand that the civilian deputy position at SOUTHCOM is held by
    an ambassador who serves as a conduit with the Department of State,
    embassies, and key leaders in the region. Additionally, liaisons from
    many of these executive agencies are integrated into the SOUTHCOM staff
    and operations. If confirmed, I would capitalize on these relationships
    to expand our effectiveness in the region. SOUTHCOM serves as an
    enabler for the U.S. government in this region and the U.S. cannot be
    successful without a whole-of government approach in the SOUTHCOM Area
    of Responsibility.
           influence of countries outside the region in latin america
        Question. In the last few years, China, Russia, and Iran have been
    increasingly engaged in Latin America, particularly expanding their
    relations with Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. They have sought to use
    malign political and financial influence, corruption, and
    disinformation to gain strategic advantage in Latin America.
        What is your assessment of China, Russia, and Iran's presence and
    objectives in the region?
        Answer. In my assessment, China, Russia, and Iran all seek power
    and influence in SOUTHCOM's Area of Responsibility. They are actively
    courting strategically important Latin American and Caribbean partners
    and support authoritarian, or anti-American regimes in various ways.
    China is aggressively expanding its economic, political, and diplomatic
    influence across the region through infrastructure investments, loans,
    financing, and disingenuous vaccine diplomacy. Globally, China seeks
    defense relationships and access to allow the People's Liberation Army
    (PLA) to project and sustain military power on a global scale. As in
    other theaters, Russia employs the full range of diplomatic,
    intelligence, and informational tools to influence public attitudes and
    decision makers in the region. Russia has made significant inroads into
    the regional information domain, saturating the internet, social media,
    and television outlets to sow doubts about U.S. intentions. Iran's
    efforts in the region have primarily been aimed at circumventing
    international sanctions.
        Question. What is the extent of China, Russia, and Iran's military-
    to-military engagement with Latin American countries?
        Answer. In my view, China and Russia continue to compete directly
    with the United States in arms sales and security cooperation in the
    Western Hemisphere. China and Russia conduct military deployments to
    the region ranging from the Chinese hospital ship PEACE ARK missions
    and PLA naval exercises, to Russian strategic bomber flights and
    partnered counter-narcotics operations in Central America. China offers
    all-expenses-paid training at its military institutions in Beijing as
    it seeks to deepen military relationships. Iran is a leading sponsor of
    terrorism and its role in the region is concerning. In recent years,
    Iran has curtailed its overt military engagements, but maintains its
    ties, particularly with the Maduro regime in Venezuela.
        Question. What is your assessment of the nature and extent to which
    China, Russia, and Iran are engaged with transnational criminal
    organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean?
        Answer. In my view, the potential for China, Russia or Iran to
    collaborate with transnational criminal organizations (TCO) in Latin
    America and the Caribbean is a concern. While it is publicly documented
    that Chinese and Russian enterprises and criminal elements operate in
    Latin America and the Caribbean, I am not aware of direct Chinese or
    Russian government participation in these activities. I assess that
    Iranian associates in Latin America are more likely to engage low-level
    criminal elements than TCOs through commercial ventures, as Iran seeks
    to acquire hard-currency (remittances, etc.) and circumvent economic
    sanctions.
        Question. To what extent have China, Russia, and Iran taken
    advantage of the current pandemic crisis, and economic hardships
    exacerbated by that crisis, to expand their influence in the Latin
    American region?
        Answer. I believe the devastation caused by COVID-19 in this region
    is more than a humanitarian crisis; it is changing the geo-political
    landscape. COVID-19 has brought on a new era of vaccine, mask, and
    health diplomacy that China is leveraging to its advantage. In many
    cases, these acts of good will are thinly veiled extortion, leaving
    vulnerable nations beholden to Chinese coercion and economic leverage.
    Additionally, Chinese and Russian information operations are aggressive
    and full of disinformation hiding their minimal capacity to deliver on
    assistance and investment. China, Russia, and Iran are using their
    influence in the region to bolster authoritarian regimes, including the
    Maduro regime in Venezuela, with disastrous consequences to the
    populations there, furthering a humanitarian crisis and mass migration
    throughout the region.
        Question. In your view, what is the appropriate method to counter
    any malign influence that countries from outside the region may attempt
    to exert on Latin American and Caribbean nations?
        Answer. In my view, with diplomacy as the lead element, all
    elements of national power are necessary to counter malign influence
    and compete with adversaries in long-term strategic competition. The
    military activities of the United States in the region should be
    integrated with diplomatic efforts through consistent security
    cooperation and engagement with our partner militaries. This will
    enable us to expand our competitive space and maintain our strength as
    the most trusted and reliable partner in the region.
        dod counter-narcotics and counter-illicit trafficking activities
        Question. DOD serves as the single lead agency for the detection
    and monitoring of aerial and maritime foreign shipments of drugs
    flowing toward the United States. On an annual basis, DOD's counter-
    narcotics (CN) program expends over $750 million to support the
    Department's CN operations, including to build the capacity of U.S.
    federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and certain foreign
    governments, and provide intelligence support on CN-related matters and
    a variety of other unique enabling capabilities. Much of this funding
    is directed towards the SOUTHCOM AOR.
        In your view, what is the appropriate role of DOD - and by
    extension SOUTHCOM - in U.S. counterdrug and counter-illicit
    trafficking efforts?
        Answer. The Department of Defense (DOD) has a statutory mission to
    detect and monitor the aerial and maritime transit of US-bound illegal
    drugs. The intelligence and information gathered by these efforts are
    then used by law enforcement agencies to disrupt or interdict those
    drugs under the authorities those partner agencies bring to the fight.
    In my view, DOD also enables partner nation counterdrug efforts by
    sharing actionable information and intelligence, providing training and
    equipment, and minor infrastructure support.
        Question. How would you measure the effectiveness of U.S. and DOD
    counter-narcotics and counter-illicit trafficking programs?
        Answer. Traditionally, I understand that the amount of drugs
    disrupted or interdicted has been the most widely-used metric for
    counterdrug programs. In my view, this may not be the most effective
    measurement of success because it only measures the impact to the final
    product of large transnational criminal organizations and does not
    measure the impact to the organizations themselves. The efforts to
    prevent hundreds of tons of drugs from entering the U.S. and harming
    our citizens should continue but, in my view, stopping the drug
    shipments is only part of the solution. Ultimate success in this
    mission will depend on continued partnerships to enable the dismantling
    of the transnational criminal organizations responsible for the
    trafficking of drugs and other illegal commodities. If confirmed, I
    commit to fostering these continued partnerships, and I also believe
    that SOUTHCOM should consider the effectiveness of U.S security
    cooperation programs that build partner capacity to participate in this
    transregional mission.
        Question. In your view, what should be the role of the United
    States in countering the flow of narcotics to other nations in Latin
    America?
        Answer. DOD's statutory mission is to detect and monitor the flow
    of illicit drugs heading to the United States. However, as those
    illicit drugs make their way to the U.S., they leave in its wake
    corruption and violence that destabilize our hemisphere and drive
    migration toward our border. I believe this poses a national security
    threat, as well as a regional threat and that we should work with our
    partner nations through security cooperation programs to build their
    capacity to face this challenge with us.
        Question. The production and trafficking of particular drugs in the
    SOUTHCOM AOR - such as cocaine and, to a lesser extent, heroin and
    synthetic opioids - threatens the health and safety of U.S. citizens,
    Latin Americans, and regional stability.
        What is your understanding of the principal illegal drugs produced
    and trafficked in the SOUTHCOM AOR?
        Answer. The Center for Disease Control has released data showing
    that over 93,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States
    in 2020--an increase of almost 30 percent from the previous year. This
    reflects an increase in deaths from opioids, as well as cocaine.
    Cocaine is almost exclusively produced in this Hemisphere, with all the
    world's source countries in South America. There is also a small amount
    of heroin produced in SOUTHCOM's AOR. My understanding of these
    substances is that they--and the criminal networks that create and move
    them--represent an enduring threat to our citizens and to our partner
    nations.
        Question. What is your assessment of the threat posed by the
    trafficking of heroin into the United States from Mexico, Central and
    South America?
        Answer. Heroin is a highly addictive and dangerous drug. The rising
    death toll in the United States is destroying families and fracturing
    communities. Although the majority of heroin entering the United States
    originates in Mexico, I understand that China has been trafficking
    precursor chemicals for synthetic opioids through the SOUTHCOM AOR. It
    is well known that illicit drugs and precursors are the primary source
    of funding for Transnational Criminal Organizations in the region,
    which threaten stability and security in the southern approaches to the
    United States.
        Question. What is your assessment of the threat posed by the flow
    of fentanyl and chemical precursors from China and elsewhere in Asia
    into Mexico and Central America, and from there into the United States?
        Answer. I understand that China is the principal source of
    precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl and other
    synthetic opioids that are killing thousands of Americans every year.
    The data shows that in 2020, the number of deaths in the U.S. from
    opioids alone was nearly 70,000. Fentanyl is also being mixed into more
    commonly used drugs like cocaine, making them exponentially more lethal
    to users. Accordingly, the threat posed by the flow of precursor
    chemicals through the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility to the United
    States is very high.
        Question. In your view, what more can DOD do to combat this effort,
    including in cooperation with U.S. Northern Command and with
    interagency and law enforcement partners?
        Answer. Intelligence drives operations, and effective sharing of
    intelligence across the interagency is vital. SOUTHCOM's coordination
    with NORTHCOM in this effort is robust and regular. The Joint
    Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) joint operating area overlaps
    the NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM areas of responsibility, which enables the
    Task Force to act as a natural synchronizer of efforts. JIATF-S also
    integrates personnel from the law enforcement and intelligence
    communities, as well as from our partner nations, to integrate efforts
    across stakeholders. I believe that more can always be done against
    transnational criminal organizations, but targeting how they do
    business--including financial flows, logistics and communications will
    yield more impactful results. If confirmed, I will also look to enable
    interagency and partner nation efforts to combat the flow of narcotics
    through the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility into the United States, and
    increase security cooperation efforts to improve regional
    interoperability to combat narcotics trafficking.
                           building partner capacity
        Question. In the past few years, Congress has provided DOD a number
    of authorities to build the capacity of partner nations' security
    forces and institutions.
        In your view, what should be our strategic objectives in building
    the capacities of partner nations in the SOUTHCOM AOR?
        Answer. In my view, building partner capacity in the SOUTHCOM Area
    of Responsibility is a strategic imperative and a long-term approach to
    regional and global security challenges. By increasing interoperability
    with partners and integrating whole-of-government efforts, SOUTHCOM can
    improve domain awareness, enable regional solutions, and expedite
    threat interdictions. I assess that strengthening defense institutions
    achieves regional resiliency against the corrosive effects of China,
    Russia, and Transnational Criminal Organizations.
        Question. What would be your priorities, if confirmed, for building
    partner capacity, including institutional capacity, and other security
    cooperation efforts in the SOUTHCOM AOR?
        Answer. I believe the United States must be present and engaged in
    our shared neighborhood. We cannot expect to remain relevant in our
    hemisphere if we are not engaged with our regional partners. Partner
    nations in the SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility share common objectives,
    face common threats and frequently have the same desired outcomes. If
    confirmed, a priority for me would be a focused regional approach to
    security cooperation that would enable us to identify and respond to
    shared threats, narrow and constrict capability gaps in the region, and
    create synergies in the delivery and development of capabilities. If
    confirmed, I will continue developing partner institutional capacity to
    reflect responsible, effective, and sustainable defense institutions.
        Question. In your view, what is the appropriate balance between
    efforts to build partnership capacity at the tactical and operational
    level and at the institutional and ministerial-level?
        Answer. In my view, establishing and building partner nation
    capacity at the tactical and operational levels works for near-term
    operations, however, over time there is an invariable erosion of those
    capabilities without a sustainable institutional infrastructure.
    Building capacity at the institutional and ministerial levels is
    foundational to the long-term success of building partner capacity.
    This is a whole-of-government approach through various efforts, to
    include engagement with Ministry of Defense Advisors, to ensure
    SOUTHCOM incorporates institutional capability building in security
    cooperation efforts.
        Question. In your view, how should our security cooperation be
    modified, conditioned, or restricted with countries in which there is
    significant corruption at the institutional and ministerial level?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will review the existing authorities
    periodically to ensure the adequacy of these authorities to enable
    SOUTHCOM's responsiveness to emergent requirements, and I will
    recommend any necessary changes to the Secretary of Defense and
    Congress.
        Question. In your view, how should SOUTHCOM approach building
    partner capacity with host nation militaries that have been tasked to
    take on the role of police and internal security forces?
        Answer. In my view, SOUTHCOM must continue to cooperate and
    synchronize efforts and resource expenditures with other U.S.
    Government institutions that are the lead federal agencies for
    providing security and policing support to regional partner nations. At
    the same time, it is important to recognize the times when defense
    support to civil authorities is necessary and legitimate in cases where
    the threat exceeds the ability of a nation's public security forces to
    secure its citizens. In these cases, working closely with the
    Department of State and Department of Justice, if confirmed, I will
    emphasize the importance of respect for human rights with my
    counterparts, and will ensure that human rights training is
    incorporated into SOUTHCOM's security cooperation program.
                      transnational criminal organizations
        Question. Transnational criminal organizations are engaged in a
    diversity of illicit activities, including money laundering, human
    trafficking illicit financial flows, illegal trade in natural resources
    and wildlife, and trade in illegal drugs, precursors and weapons. These
    activities reach not only the entirety of the Western Hemisphere, but
    increasingly throughout the world.
        In your assessment, how has the threat to the United States from
    transnational criminal organizations, evolved?
        Answer. It is my understanding that Transnational Criminal
    Organizations (TCOs) traffic in arms, humans, and drugs, engage in
    illegal mining, corrupt money laundering, and perpetrate illegal
    unregulated and unreported fishing--estimated at billions of dollars a
    year. These organizations capitalize on the instability that drives
    illegal migration, fuels violence, and causes great security concerns
    throughout the region. TCOs are dynamic and were able to continue and,
    in some cases, increase their trafficking activities despite the global
    pandemic, ultimately undermining security and prosperity for our
    partners in the region.
        Question. In your view, what kind of additional support, if any,
    should DOD--and SOUTHCOM in particular--provide to U.S. law enforcement
    to counter and degrade these transnational criminal organizations?
        Answer. Transnational criminal organizations are a national threat
    that directly impacts the security of our citizens. In my view, DOD
    should continue to conduct detection and monitoring of the transit of
    illegal drugs, support interdiction operations, and build the capacity
    of partner nation defense and security forces through training,
    equipping, and infrastructure support. If confirmed, I will work
    tirelessly within DOD and across the U.S. Government to enable those
    operations that combat transnational threats.
        Question. What additional resources, if any, do you believe
    SOUTHCOM requires to more effectively carry out its mission in
    countering transnational criminal organizations?
        Answer. It is my understanding that SOUTHCOM receives less than one
    percent of the Department's intelligence, surveillance, and
    reconnaissance allocation each year. Intelligence is critical to
    success in this region. A small investment in this region provides an
    enhanced return on the investment toward stability and our national
    security. It is also critical that SOUTHCOM remains present and
    engaged. It is my understanding that for the first time SOUTHCOM is
    employing Security Force Assistance Teams to provide training and
    expert exchanges to the Colombian, Honduran, and Panamanian forces. I
    believe that efforts like these make a measurable impact for a
    relatively small investment, and pays significant dividends when it
    comes to building trust and interoperability in the region.
                               northern triangle
        Question. In April, the Biden Administration announced a $4 billion
    plan to address the causes of migration in the Northern Triangle
    countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. These causes include
    corruption, anti-democratic governance, criminal violence,
    environmental devastation from two hurricanes and the coronavirus
    pandemic.
        What is your understanding of the objectives and priorities of the
    Administration's plan for the Northern Triangle countries?
        Answer. I understand the Administration's plan in the Northern
    Triangle is a long-term effort designed to address the root causes of
    some of the most significant challenges causing irregular migration,
    corruption, and the looming humanitarian crisis in the area. It is my
    understanding that President Biden has pledged $4 billion in additional
    assistance to the region to focus on these root causes.
        Question. What is your understanding of how SOUTHCOM's activities
    will implement or complement the plan for the region?
        Answer. As I understand them currently, SOUTHCOM's ongoing
    activities and operations complement whole-of-government efforts in the
    region. Security cooperation and humanitarian assistance activities in
    the Northern Triangle help achieve improvements in regional security
    and health environments, help reduce irregular migration, and mitigate
    drivers of instability. SOUTHCOM's human rights initiative improves
    host nation security forces' respect for fundamental human rights. It
    also promotes better governance, respect for the rule of law, and
    increased transparency and anti-corruption goals with military
    leadership. All of these efforts strengthen partner capacity, degrade
    the transnational criminal organization threat networks, and advance
    and support U.S. national interests in the region.
        Question. In your view, what is the impact of corruption among
    government and military leaders in the Northern Triangle countries on
    the stability and security of the region?
        Answer. Corruption at any level weakens public institutions which
    negatively affects stability and security. DOD and SOUTHCOM serve as an
    example for other governments and military leaders to follow, not only
    for honesty and integrity, but also respect for human rights and
    adherence to the rule of law.
        Question. What do you believe is the appropriate role, if any, of
    SOUTHCOM in supporting civilian-led stabilization assistance activities
    in the region?
        Answer. It is my understanding that SOUTHCOM has a lot to offer in
    support of civil activities in the Northern Triangle. Many of
    SOUTHCOM's activities are in support of a civilian lead federal agency,
    and I am familiar with this concept from my time as the Commander of
    U.S. Army North. I believe SOUTHCOM will continue to contribute to
    solutions by supporting our partners, building regional resiliency, and
    increasing interoperability.
          mexico and cooperation with u.s. northern command (northcom)
        Question. Much of the illegal narcotics supply flowing into Mexico
    comes from the SOUTHCOM AOR. While Mexico is in the NORTHCOM AOR, the
    rest of Latin America is in the SOUTHCOM AOR.
        In your view, how should SOUTHCOM and NORTHCOM work together to
    ensure a fully coordinated effort with respect to illegal narcotics
    flowing into Mexico and other security challenges?
        Answer. In my view, SOUTHCOM has been effective against illegal
    narcotics entering the U.S. through air and maritime avenues of the
    Caribbean and Pacific. However, I assess that a missing element is the
    land domain. Working with NORTHCOM in support of the US law enforcement
    agencies to synchronize and integrate the joint, interagency, and
    multinational efforts in this hemisphere will begin to close this gap.
    Working in concert with partner nation LEAs and militaries will require
    the continuous coordination and integration that should exist in the
    interagency and between the Combatant Commands.
                                    colombia
        Question. U.S. assistance and security cooperation programs
    operating through Plan Colombia contributed to enabling the Colombian
    government to engage in an intensive peace and reconciliation process
    with members of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and
    other paramilitary forces. Now implementation of the peace accord
    appears at risk as violence escalates.
        What is your assessment of the current security situation in
    Colombia?
        Answer. I assess that, although Colombia and the FARC reached a
    formal peace agreement in 2016, Colombia continues to face security
    challenges from Transnational Criminal Organizations, FARC dissidents,
    and the designated terrorist organization ELN. The current crisis in
    Venezuela has allowed these actors freedom of movement and resulted in
    over one million refugees straining Colombia's government services. If
    confirmed, I will work with our willing and able Colombian partners to
    support security and humanitarian efforts that will enable them to
    defeat COVID, provide security for their people, effectively fight
    transnational criminal organizations, and withstand the pressures of
    mass migration.
        Question. How should U.S. security cooperation programs and
    activities be adjusted in response to the situation on the ground in
    Colombia?
        Answer. Like all U.S. security cooperation programs, consistent
    engagement and support is important to the success of our security
    efforts and our strong partnerships; Colombia is no exception. If
    confirmed, I will make a full assessment of the situation on the ground
    in Colombia. Colombia is one of our strongest partners in the region,
    and in my view we should continue our support.
        Question. How would you approach the issue of respect for human
    rights in the Colombian military?
        Answer. It is my understanding that promoting respect for human
    rights has been a top priority for SOUTHCOM for over two decades.
    SOUTHCOM integrates human rights across its operations and activities,
    including in its engagement and assistance programs with its partners.
    If confirmed, I will continue SOUTHCOM's emphasis on human rights in
    all forms of security assistance.
        Question. Colombia has demonstrated a willingness to become more
    involved internationally, to include increased engagements with
    regional partners. Colombia has also deployed forces as part of
    overseas peacekeeping missions.
        How should SOUTHCOM assist Colombia in its efforts to assume a
    greater role as a security provider, both regionally and
    internationally?
        Answer. I believe persistent support of Colombia is critical to its
    continued efforts to provide both regional and international security.
    Colombia has become a key exporter of security to the region, and the
    Colombian military now trains--through the U.S. Colombia Action Plan
    and other programs--our partner militaries throughout the region.
    Additionally, Colombia's status as NATO's only Global Partner in Latin
    America demonstrates its commitment to the shared values of the
    alliance, as well as its political and security leadership role in the
    region. The United States' encouragement and support of such leadership
    provides a valuable contribution to Colombia's efforts--and those of
    the United States--to provide both regional and international security.
                                   venezuela
        Question. Venezuela continues to suffer a deep political and
    economic crisis under President Maduro's authoritarian regime. As a
    result, Venezuela's dysfunction threatens stability throughout the
    region.
        What is your assessment of the impact of Venezuela's deteriorating
    political and economic situation on regional security in the SOUTHCOM
    AOR?
        Answer. In my view, the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is broadly
    impacting the security and stability of the region. Driven by food
    insecurity and repression, millions of Venezuelans have sought refuge
    in neighboring countries, straining limited healthcare, security and
    economic resources.
        Question. What is your understanding of U.S. policy towards
    Venezuela and DOD's role in carrying out that policy?
        Answer. The United States recognizes Juan Guaido as the interim
    President of Venezuela. The U.S. also supports the Venezuelan people
    and their right to basic civil liberties. DOD's role would be limited
    in support of a broader U.S. diplomatic effort for a peaceful
    transition to democracy.
        Question. What is your view of President Maduro's intentions in the
    region?
        Answer. I believe the Maduro regime looks to consolidate authority
    and subvert regional democracies. The regime also seeks to undermine
    the United States and like-minded partners in the region through
    extensive disinformation and misinformation campaigns.
        Question. How would you assess Venezuelan relations with China,
    Cuba, Iran, and Russia vis-`-vis the national interests of the United
    States?
        Answer. In my view, Venezuela offers a permissive environment for
    countries that seek to undermine the United States. The Maduro regime
    relies on China, Russia, Cuba, and Iran to help control its narrative
    and its population, provide security assistance, and evade sanctions.
    China offers Venezuela economic and political support. The Russian
    military supports the Venezuelan military with training and
    intelligence support. Cuba helps Maduro stay in power by advising on
    tactics to control its population. Iran and Venezuela support each
    other in evading sanctions.
        Question. What is your understanding of the extent to which
    Venezuelan government or military forces are involved in the drug
    trade?
        Answer. It is my understanding that senior members of the
    Venezuelan government have been sanctioned by the Department of
    Treasury for their involvement in illicit activity, to include the drug
    trade.
                                      cuba
        Question. What is your assessment of Cuba's impact on regional
    security in the SOUTHCOM AOR?
        Answer. In my assessment, Cuba has had a significant impact on
    security in the region. For decades, the authoritarian dictatorship in
    Cuba has worked to destabilize the region, undermine U.S. authority,
    and support other like-minded regimes in the SOUTHCOM AOR, to include
    the Maduro regime in Venezuela. I understand that Cuba supports these
    other authoritarian governments with intelligence and security support,
    and provides as the leaders of these governments with advice on how to
    maintain power over their populations.
        Question. What is your understanding of U.S. policy towards Cuba
    and DOD's role in carrying out that policy?
        Answer. The White House has recently stated that its U.S. policy
    toward Cuba is under review. I understand that U.S law prohibits
    security assistance to Cuba and current policy prevents military-to-
    military engagement, including security cooperation activities. While
    the U.S. Coast Guard does maintain minimal communication with its Cuban
    counterparts on issues like trafficking and migration, I am aware that
    the Department of Defense's only contact with the Cuban military is
    between the Commander of the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay and the
    local Cuban military commander. However, I understand that this
    engagement is limited to local matters.
                                detainee matters
        Question. What role do you expect to play, if confirmed, in regard
    to the operation, management, and oversight of the detention facility
    at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the policies applicable to the facility's
    detainee population?
        Answer. If confirmed, I expect that my role as the SOUTHCOM
    Commander will be to oversee the safe, humane, and legal detention
    operations, to include detainee healthcare delivery at Joint Task Force
    Guantanamo.
        Question. Do you support the standards for detainee treatment
    specified in the revised Army Field Manual on Interrogations, FM 2-
    22.3, issued in September 2006, and in DOD Directive 2310.01E, The
    Department of Defense Detainee Program, dated August 19, 2014, and
    required by section 1045 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
    Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92)?
        Answer. Yes.
        Question. In your view, how will President Biden's ordered
    withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan affect the Department's
    detention of unlawful enemy combatants at Guantanamo?
        Answer. The decision to withdraw U.S. Forces from Afghanistan is a
    national strategic-level decision, as is the policy related to the
    detention of unlawful enemy combatants. Joint Task Force Guantanamo
    executes detention operations in accordance with the law and the policy
    of the President and the Secretary of Defense. If confirmed, Joint Task
    Force Guantanamo will continue to do so with my oversight and
    supervision.
        Question. In your view, how has the establishment of a Chief
    Medical Officer to oversee the provision of medical care to individuals
    detained at Guantanamo affected the standard of medical care provided
    to such detainees?
        Answer. I understand that there is a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in
    place on the island who has an oversight role of the medical care being
    provided to the individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay. The CMO
    position is managed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health
    Affairs and the staff at Guantanamo Bay work closely with the CMO on
    these medical issues. In my view, this type of conduit is essential to
    ensure smooth medical policy implementation.
        Question. It is the committee's understanding that as many as 9 of
    the 40 detainees still at GTMO have been designated for transfer.
        What role would you expect to play, if confirmed, in the Periodic
    Review Board process applicable to detainees at Guantanamo?
        Answer. As I understand, the Commander of SOUTHCOM does not have a
    direct role in the Periodic Review Board, but SOUTHCOM currently
    supports the Periodic Review Board process with medical summaries and
    intelligence reports. If confirmed, I intend to ensure this support
    continues, providing oversight and supervision of the support.
        Question. What role would you expect to play, if confirmed, in the
    detainee transfer process?
        Answer. Based on my current understanding, SOUTHCOM provides
    medical and intelligence reports to the interagency team responsible
    for making recommendations to the Secretary of Defense in the detainee
    transfer process. Additionally, SOUTHCOM works across multiple commands
    to execute detainee transfers if and when they are directed. If
    confirmed, I expect to provide this same level of support to the
    detainee transfer process and will provide oversight and supervision of
    this support.
                              military commissions
        Question. In your view, do military commissions constituted
    pursuant to the Military Commissions Act of 2009 provide an effective
    forum for addressing the crimes committed by detainees at Guantanamo
    Bay?
        Answer. I believe this is a policy question that is best answered
    by the Department of Defense and the Administration. If confirmed, I
    will be committed to overseeing the safe, humane, and legal detention
    operations, to include detainee healthcare delivery at Joint Task Force
    Guantanamo as long as SOUTHCOM is directed to do so.
        Question. What role would you expect to play, if confirmed, in the
    preparation for and conduct of trials by Military Commission of
    detainees at Guantanamo?
        Answer. I understand that SOUTHCOM and Joint Task Force Guantanamo
    are responsible for providing security and limited logistical support
    to the Office of Military Commissions at Guantanamo Bay. If confirmed,
    I expect SOUTHCOM to provide the same support.
                          southcom force requirements
        Question. SOUTHCOM does not have assigned forces and, as a result,
    is required to compete for forces within the global request for forces
    process.
        Given the Department's shift to long-term strategic competition
    with near-peer rivals will you be able to ensure, if confirmed, that
    you are able to secure the necessary personnel to carry out SOUTHCOM's
    partnering and engagement missions within the AOR?
        Answer. I believe the Southern Command Area of Responsibility is of
    tremendous strategic importance. This region contains the southern
    approaches to the homeland, and our competitors are expanding their
    presence and influence at a rapid rate. From my perspective,
    communication is key to ensuring that a Combatant Command has the
    forces necessary to execute its mission. If confirmed, I will advocate
    for the missions that will yield the greatest improvement to security
    and stability in the region, and for the resources (including
    personnel) to succeed in those missions. Further, I will ensure that
    SOUTHCOM uses all forces and resources to their fullest effect.
        Question. If not, how would you assess the risk to U.S. strategic
    interests in the region?
        Answer. If confirmed, managing risk is a key component of command,
    and risk management informs decisions at every echelon. Strategic risk
    to our interests in the region will be a foundational element in my
    best military advice to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
    Secretary of Defense.
             western hemisphere institute for security cooperation
        Question. The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
    (WHINSEC), which replaced the School of the Americas in 2001, has the
    mission of contributing to theater cooperation activities through the
    education and training of students in the Western Hemisphere from
    Canada to Chile.
        What is the relationship between SOUTHCOM and WHINSEC?
        Answer. In my view, professional military education and training is
    one of the most important tools our Nation has, not just for building
    the technical capacity of partner nation militaries, but for building
    strong relationships with the future leaders of those militaries.
    WHINSEC provides education and training grounded in democratic values,
    including respect for human rights and the rule of law. WHINSEC focuses
    on partner nations from the Western Hemisphere, and its courses
    directly support the security cooperation plans of both NORTHCOM and
    SOUTHCOM. I understand that the SOUTHCOM Commander has a permanent
    position on the WHINSEC Board of Visitors, participating in curriculum
    selection and periodic reviews to ensure the institute is appropriately
    supporting the security cooperation goals of the Command.
        Question. In your view, does WHINSEC promote the national security
    interests of the United States in the Western Hemisphere?
        Answer. Based on WHINSEC's charter and the transparency with which
    it conducts its instruction, I believe that WHINSEC promotes U.S.
    national security interests in the Western Hemisphere. It does so,
    first, by working closely with both NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM to maintain
    alignment with their theater security cooperation plans. Additionally,
    WHINSEC increases interoperability of regional partners to advance
    regional security. Finally, it instills respect for human rights, the
    rule of law, due process, civilian control of the military, and the
    role of the military in a democratic society.
        Question. In your view, what more - if anything - does WHINSEC need
    to do to emphasize human rights in its curriculum and contribute to
    institutional capacity building in the region?
        Answer. I am aware that WHINSEC has a Human Rights Center that
    provides human rights training to all its students and helps develop
    human rights capabilities in partner nation militaries and Ministries
    of Defense. If confirmed, I will actively participate in the WHINSEC
    Board of Visitors, including studying more closely the current
    curriculum and making any recommendations that I believe would
    strengthen its education and training program.
        Question. Will you attend the regularly scheduled WHINSEC Board of
    Visitors meetings?
        Answer. Yes.
                  humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
        Question. What should be the role for the U.S. military in
    humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the SOUTHCOM AOR?
        Answer. As specified in the Unified Command Plan, Humanitarian
    Assistance and Disaster Relief is one of SOUTHCOM's primary missions.
    The SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility experiences a broad range of
    natural disasters every year, to include hurricanes, earthquakes, and
    volcano eruptions. The DOD has unique capabilities to save lives
    immediately following these disasters. Beyond immediate life-saving,
    the military is in support of the lead federal agency in a disaster
    response, and can deliver unique military capabilities (like air lift)
    that are critical in these operations.
        Question. What role should SOUTHCOM play in building the
    capabilities of foreign military and security forces to conduct
    humanitarian response and disaster risk reduction?
        Answer. I understand that many of the nations in the SOUTHCOM Area
    of Responsibility are very willing partners who, with just a little
    support, can step up to respond to either their own or a regional
    humanitarian crisis. SOUTHCOM provides training on response and risk
    reduction through the exercise program, subject matter expert
    exchanges, and key leader engagements. In my view, SOUTHCOM's regular
    engagements with partners are critical to building their capabilities,
    as well as strengthening our partnerships and interoperability, which
    are key to success in any disaster or other humanitarian response.
        Question. Are the resources and authorities necessary to fulfill
    this role currently available to the SOUTHCOM Commander? If not, what
    additional resources or authorities are necessary, in your view?
        Answer. I am aware of the recent humanitarian assistance and
    disaster relief operations SOUTHCOM has conducted in response to
    Hurricanes Eta and Iota. If confirmed, I will fully assess the
    resources and authorities available to the command in greater detail,
    and I will make any recommendations on additional requirements or
    authorities to the Secretary of Defense.
                     sexual assault prevention and response
        Question. The Department of Defense has developed comprehensive
    policies and procedures to improve the prevention of and response to
    incidents of sexual assaults, including providing appropriate resources
    and care for victims of sexual assault.
        What is your view of the steps taken to prevent and respond to
    sexual assaults in SOUTHCOM, including assaults by and against U.S.
    civilian and contractor personnel?
        Answer. I have not conducted a full assessment of SOUTHCOM's
    procedures at this time, but if confirmed, I will undertake a thorough
    review of SOUTHCOM's sexual assault prevention and response efforts. I
    will also ensure that review covers not only service members, but also
    assaults by and against U.S. civilian and contractor personnel.
        Question. What is your view of the adequacy of SOUTHCOM policies
    and procedures to protect victims of sexual assault from retaliation
    for reporting the assault?
        Answer. There is no place in the Armed Forces for retaliation
    against individuals who report sexual assault and retaliation is an
    offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Such retaliation
    not only has the potential to cause serious harm to the lives and
    careers of victims, but it also undermines readiness and weakens our
    culture of dignity and respect. At this point, I do not have a view of
    the adequacy of SOUTHCOM's policies and procedures to protect from
    retaliation those who report sexual assault, but if confirmed, I will
    conduct a thorough review of those policies to ensure that SOUTHCOM has
    effective measures in place.
        Question. What is your view of the adequacy of the training and
    resources in place in SOUTHCOM to investigate and respond to
    allegations of sexual assault?
        Answer. Effective investigation of sexual assault allegations is
    the cornerstone of accountability for perpetrators. Response to those
    offenses, including care and ongoing support, is the cornerstone of
    healing for victims. If confirmed, I will immediately review and
    evaluate the adequacy of training and resources in place at SOUTHCOM to
    investigate and respond to allegations of sexual assault.
        Question. What is your view of the willingness and ability of
    military leaders to hold service members accountable for sexual
    misconduct?
        Answer. In my experience, military leaders are both willing and
    able to hold service members appropriately accountable for sexual
    misconduct. As a current General Court-Martial Convening Authority, I
    have been diligent in carrying out my responsibilities under the law,
    holding service members appropriately accountable for sexual
    misconduct, with the advice of my legal advisor, based on the facts of
    the individual case, and the applicable law, policy, and regulation. I
    have also personally observed the same diligence among other commanders
    at all levels in the chain of command. In my exercise of this
    authority, I feel neither outside pressure nor undue or unlawful
    influence.
        Question. What is your understanding of the adequacy of the
    resources and programs in SOUTHCOM to provide victims of sexual assault
    the medical, psychological, and legal help they need?
        Answer. I have not yet had the opportunity to fully assess the
    adequacy of SOUTHCOM's resources and programs, particularly those
    related to sexual assault. If confirmed, however, I will carefully
    assess the adequacy of the resources and programs in SOUTHCOM to
    provide victims of sexual assault the medical, psychological, and legal
    help they need.
        Question. What is your view about the role of the chain of command
    in providing necessary support to the victims of sexual assault?
        Answer. I absolutely agree with the Independent Review Commission
    on Sexual Assault in the Military on the role of the chain of command
    in supporting victims of sexual assault. Specifically, as the report
    stated, ``In the military, no one is more consequential to the
    wellbeing and recovery of survivors of sexual assault and sexual
    harassment than their commanders. Commanders who grasp the seriousness
    of these crimes and are equipped to respond can make a measurable
    difference in survivors' lives.''
        My charter for the Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston Sexual
    Assault Review Board, which I chair, includes three separate and
    mutually supporting purposes: (1) ensure victim safety; (2) facilitate
    victim access to restorative services; and (3) direct response system
    coordination and appropriate accountability. To effect these ends, I
    continuously emphasize commander involvement and accountability in
    providing ongoing support to sexual assault victims in their
    formations. If confirmed, I will continue to hold commanders and
    leaders appropriately accountable for the support they provide sexual
    assault victims in their formations.
        Question. What is your view about the role of the chain of command
    in changing the military culture in which these sexual assaults have
    occurred?
        Answer. Under DoD policy (DoD Directive 6495.01), sexual assault
    awareness and prevention programs are commanders' programs, required to
    be established by, and supported by, all commanders. Accordingly, the
    chain of command's role in the changing of the military culture in
    which sexual assaults have occurred is absolutely fundamental. This is
    a leadership issue and requires engaged leadership. Longstanding
    Department research finds that there is a strong correlation between
    unit sexual harassment rates and unit sexual assault rates. It is
    incumbent upon commanders and leaders at all levels to discourage
    harmful behaviors and ensure workplaces that value dignity, respect,
    and inclusion. This means every level of leadership is responsible for
    ensuring good order and discipline and holding perpetrators
    appropriately accountable for their actions. Commanders must also
    ensure that service members under their command have a clear
    understanding of what is expected of them and the consequences for
    misconduct.
        Question. What is your assessment of the potential impact, if any,
    of proposals to remove disposition authority from military commanders
    over felony-level violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice,
    including sexual assault?
        Answer. Ensuring that sexual assault perpetrators are held
    appropriately accountable is essential in combatting the scourge of
    sexual assault. The Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in
    the Military recommended that an independent prosecution authority,
    rather than military commanders, should decide whether to pursue
    criminal charges in sexual assault and related cases. Secretary Austin
    has endorsed this recommendation and has committed to working with
    Congress to effect the legislative change necessary to implement it. I
    fully support the Secretary's position and his efforts. However, I
    cannot speculate on how such a system might be constructed or the
    potential effects. If confirmed, I will provide my best insight as a
    commander to the Secretary regarding changes to the UCMJ.
        Question. Do you consider the current sexual assault policies and
    procedures, particularly those on restricted reporting, to be
    effective?
        Answer. In my experience, I have found current sexual assault
    policies and procedures, including those on restricted reporting, to be
    effective. I am aware, however, of instances where restricted reports
    became unrestricted--inadvertently, but against the victims' wishes--
    causing additional and unnecessary trauma to the victims who expected
    their reports to remain confidential. I would support strengthening the
    restricted reporting process and giving victims more agency over their
    reporting process.
        Question. If confirmed, what actions will you take to reassess
    current policies, procedures, and programs and to ensure senior level
    direction and oversight of efforts to prevent and respond to sexual
    assaults in SOUTHCOM?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will undertake a thorough review to, first,
    ensure we are in full compliance with the Secretary of Defense's
    directives to combatant commanders concerning sexual assault prevention
    and response and, second, to determine the effectiveness of current
    policies, procedures, and programs. This review will be
    interdisciplinary, consisting of both trained SHARP personnel and other
    appropriate members of my staff, and it will identify and develop
    measures of performance and measures of effectiveness, with the
    ultimate goals of reducing the percentage of personnel sexually
    assaulted each year and increasing the percentage of sexual assault
    victims who file unrestricted reports. Recognizing that, if confirmed,
    I will be responsible for direction and oversight of these policies,
    procedures, and programs, I will rely on this review to determine the
    areas that require immediate focus, and identify the best way to ensure
    ongoing senior-level direction and oversight.
        Question. What methods for monitoring overall trends and gauging
    the sufficiency of component commanders' efforts in preventing and
    responding to incidents of sexual assault do you consider appropriate
    and intend to implement as SOUTHCOM Commander?
        Answer. In my experience, receiving periodic briefings on key
    measures of performance and effectiveness, and receiving subordinate
    commander feedback on trends and the effectiveness of key measures, are
    two important ways to monitor commanders' efforts. If confirmed, I will
    assess the methods currently in place for monitoring overall trends and
    gauging the sufficiency of component commanders' efforts in preventing
    and responding to incidents of sexual assault.
                            relations with congress
        Question. If confirmed, what actions would you take to sustain a
    productive and mutually beneficial relationship between SOUTHCOM and
    Congress, and in particular the congressional defense committees?
        Answer. Ensuring a productive and mutually beneficial relationship
    between SOUTHCOM and Congress will be a priority for me if I am
    confirmed. As a former Chief of Legislative Liaison for the Army, I
    have been fortunate to work directly with Congress in my career, and I
    have seen firsthand the value of an open and collaborative relationship
    between Congress and the Department of Defense. I understand that
    SOUTHCOM has developed strong relationships with Congress, and in
    particular, with the defense oversight committees. I understand that
    strong Congressional support has been key to ensuring that SOUTHCOM has
    the resources and authorities necessary to carry out its
    responsibilities in the region. If confirmed, I intend to empower my
    team to continue the collaborative activities that have led to such a
    productive and mutually beneficial relationship, and I will lead by
    example through regular personal engagement and communication with
    Congress.
                            congressional oversight
        Question. In order to exercise its legislative and oversight
    responsibilities, it is important that this Committee and other
    appropriate committees of Congress are able to receive testimony,
    briefings, reports, records (including documents and electronic
    communications) and other information from the Department.
        Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, and on request,
    to appear and testify before this committee, its subcommittees, and
    other appropriate committees of Congress? Please answer with a simple
    yes or no.
        Answer. Yes.
        Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to
    provide this committee, its subcommittees, other appropriate committees
    of Congress, and their respective staffs such witnesses and briefers,
    briefings, reports, records (including documents and electronic
    communications), and other information as may be requested of you, and
    to do so in a timely manner? Please answer with a simple yes or no.
        Answer. Yes.
        Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to
    consult with this committee, its subcommittees, other appropriate
    committees of Congress, and their respective staffs, regarding your
    basis for any delay or denial in providing testimony, briefings,
    reports, records--including documents and electronic communications,
    and other information requested of you? Please answer with a simple yes
    or no.
        Answer. Yes.
        Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to
    keep this committee, its subcommittees, other appropriate committees of
    Congress, and their respective staffs apprised of new information that
    materially impacts the accuracy of testimony, briefings, reports,
    records--including documents and electronic communications, and other
    information you or your organization previously provided? Please answer
    with a simple yes or no.
        Answer. Yes.
        Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, and on
    request, to provide this committee and its subcommittees with records
    and other information within their oversight jurisdiction, even absent
    a formal Committee request? Please answer with a simple yes or no.
        Answer. Yes.
        Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to
    respond timely to letters to, and/or inquiries and other requests of
    you or your organization from individual Senators who are members of
    this committee? Please answer with a simple yes or no.
        Answer. Yes.
        Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to
    ensure that you and other members of your organization protect from
    retaliation any military member, federal employee, or contractor
    employee who testifies before, or communicates with this committee, its
    subcommittees, and any other appropriate committee of Congress? Please
    answer with a simple yes or no.
        Answer. Yes.
                                     ______

        [Questions for the record with answers supplied follow:]

                 Questions Submitted by Senator Mazie K. Hirono
                     questions related to sexual misconduct
        1. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, as part of my
    responsibility as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and
    to ensure the fitness of nominees for appointment to senior positions
    within the Department of Defense I will be asking the same two
    questions that I ask nominees to all of the committees on which I
    serve. Since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted
    requests for sexual favors, or committed any verbal or physical
    harassment or assault of a sexual nature?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. No.

        2. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, have you ever
    faced discipline, or entered into a settlement related to this kind of
    conduct?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. No.
      malign influence in the u.s. southern command region from china and
                                     russia
        3. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, over the last
    decade, both China and Russia have significantly increased their
    presence and influence in Latin and South America via a combined
    economic and military strategy to bolster authoritarian regimes,
    undermine our traditional allies, and gain a foothold in the region.
    How do you view the threat posed by China and Russia in the region?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. China and Russia, both strategic
    competitors, seek to undermine the United States and gain power and
    influence in Latin America and the Caribbean. They actively court
    strategically important U.S. partners in this region, while supporting
    authoritarian regimes like those in Cuba and Venezuela. China actively
    works to gain global influence including in the SOUTHCOM AOR. China
    aggressively expands its dominating economic presence in the hemisphere
    through its Belt and Road Initiative and by using predatory and corrupt
    economic practices and disingenuous vaccine diplomacy. China also gifts
    equipment, supplies, and training to militaries in the region to gain
    leverage over decision makers. Russia employs a full range of
    diplomatic, intelligence, and informational tools to influence public
    attitudes and decision makers in the region. Russia employs active
    disinformation tactics across social and broadcast media to sow doubts
    about U.S. intentions and undercut our efforts to build strong
    partnerships.

        4. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, what steps do you
    plan to take, if confirmed, to combat China and Russia's growing
    influence?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. In my view, I believe that the best
    way to counter China and Russia's nefarious activities is to strengthen
    our partnerships throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. If
    confirmed, I will carry on SOUTHCOM's robust efforts to build partner
    nation capacity, interoperability, and resilience to external threats
    and influence. This includes critical programs like exercises,
    professional military education and International Military Education
    and Training (IMET), subject matter expert exchanges, and Section 333
    training and equipment.
                          global force posture review
        5. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, the new
    Administration is currently conducting a global military force posture
    review aimed at tying our national strategy focused on great power
    competition to defense policy and military basing decisions. If
    confirmed, what advice do you plan to provide Secretary of Defense
    Lloyd Austin and the Department related to the U.S. Southern Command
    (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR)?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. If confirmed, I will conduct a
    thorough review of the SOUTHCOM mission requirements and the resourcing
    levels available to the command to meet those mission requirements.
    Once complete, I will provide my best military advice to the Secretary
    of Defense on what I view as the appropriate level of presence and
    capability in the SOUTHCOM AOR. As part of my assessment, I would
    consider the full spectrum of presence, which includes not only access
    and basing, but also levels of rotational forces that conduct training,
    exercises, and security cooperation activities.
                            counter-drug operations
        6. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, the Department of
    Defense (DOD) serves as the single lead agency for the detection and
    monitoring of aerial and maritime foreign shipments of drugs flowing
    into the United States. If confirmed, what steps will you take to more
    efficiently and effectively interdict the flow of drugs coming into the
    country from the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. The detection and monitoring of drug
    trafficking in SOUTHCOM's AOR is coordinated primarily out of Joint
    Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S), a multiagency, multinational
    ``team of teams'' effort that provides the intelligence backbone for
    effective interdiction. ISR is central to this detection and monitoring
    effort, which in turn drives drug seizures. One step would be to work
    diligently to gain additional ISR for this mission set and this region,
    which receives approximately 1 percent of DOD ISR. While intelligence
    is critical to success, consistent presence is needed in order to deter
    and interdict. If confirmed, I would advocate for adequate sourcing of
    U.S. air and maritime platforms to help bolster our presence and
    ability to respond to identified threats. Due to SOUTHCOM's sustained
    and effective partnerships and security cooperation relationships with
    partner nations, over half of interdictions were actively assisted or
    executed by partner nations. This is a valuable force multiplier,
    widening coverage and expanding the number of capable assets and
    personnel dedicated to stopping these deadly substances. If confirmed,
    I would continue these partnerships to further grow our interdiction
    capabilities in the region.

        7. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, in an answer to
    advance policy questions on this subject, you stated that ``stopping
    the drug shipments is only part of the solution . . . ultimate success
    in this mission will depend on continued partnerships to enable the
    dismantling of the transnational criminal organizations responsible for
    the trafficking of drugs.'' How would you go about achieving this
    objective with partners in the region?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. ADM Faller has mentioned that we
    cannot interdict our way out of this problem, and I agree that stopping
    drugs alone does not strike at the centers of gravity of the
    Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) nor is it enough to lead to
    their dismantling. In order to achieve this, SOUTHCOM is employing 21st
    century tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning that
    can be used to analyze and strike at critical nodes of these TCOs. In
    my view, these networks are by definition transnational, and
    partnerships with other affected countries--in information sharing,
    security cooperation, and other efforts--are vital to sustained
    success.
       mass migration from the northern triangle countries of guatemala,
                           honduras, and el salvador
        8. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, the Biden
    administration recently unveiled a strategy to address the root causes
    of mass migration from the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala,
    Honduras, and El Salvador--including $4 billion in aid over 4 years to
    address this difficult issue. How do you envision SOUTHCOM contributing
    to this whole of government approach?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. SOUTHCOM's ongoing activities and
    operations complement the whole of government efforts in Guatemala,
    Honduras, and El Salvador. Security cooperation and humanitarian
    assistance activities in the Northern Triangle aim to improve regional
    security and stability to minimize root causes that drive illegal
    migration from these countries, such as violence from transnational
    criminal organizations. In my view, SOUTHCOM also strives to build
    institutional capacity and improve the professionalism of the security
    forces in the region by promoting respect for human rights and the rule
    of law, increased transparency and anti-corruption efforts, and
    integration of gender perspectives. These efforts advance and support
    U.S. national interests in the region.

        9. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, how can SOUTHCOM
    better coordinate with interagency partners to counter transnational
    criminal organizations?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. It is my understanding that SOUTHCOM
    has many longstanding relationships with interagency, as well as
    international partners in their collective efforts to counter
    transnational criminal organizations. This mission requires integrated
    deterrence of intelligence, law enforcement, military, and
    international partners and Allies. In my view, as a government we must
    identify and eliminate seams and barriers to sharing information at the
    speed of relevance in order to compete with an enemy that is well
    funded and has no concern for laws and international order.
                       assassination of haiti's president
        10. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, last month,
    Haiti's President, Jovenel Moise, was assassinated--while the
    investigation is still ongoing, several of the dozens arrested so far
    are former Columbian military members now working for private security
    firms--seven of whom received U.S. military training in the past. While
    military training with partner nations in the region is vitally
    important, what steps will you take if confirmed to ensure appropriate
    oversight mechanisms are in place for these important programs?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Military training and education are
    vital to building our partners' capabilities and professionalism. There
    are many oversight mechanisms in place to guard against these types of
    incidents and to ensure that students of U.S. training are vetted
    individuals. All international military students attending courses at
    U.S. DoD schools or participating in training or education events
    provided by DoD units must undergo vetting under Leahy law. All
    education courses and training must include human rights blocks of
    instruction as part of their curriculum. To guarantee transparency, all
    military training must be reported annually to Congress in the Foreign
    Military Training Report (FMTR) and all training records are maintained
    electronically and physically. In response to the tragic events in
    Pensacola, DoD has also instituted a new vetting requirement for
    international students and their adult family members that reviews
    biographic information and biometric data before they report to any
    school in the U.S. If confirmed, SOUTHCOM will be uncompromising in
    adhering to all of these processes.

        11. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, the security
    situation in Haiti has been fragile for years, even before the
    President's assassination--how can SOUTHCOM support the State
    Department and other interagency partners to aid the Haitian people and
    the interim government?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. It is my understanding that the
    Department of Defense is in support of the Department of State
    regarding the situation in Haiti, and SOUTHCOM stands ready to respond
    to requests for assistance with capabilities including humanitarian aid
    and logistics support.
                                protests in cuba
        12. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, since July 11th,
    the Cuban people have held a series of protests against the Cuban
    Government and the ruling Communist Party over food and medicine
    shortages and the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. How
    do you view this issue?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. In my assessment, Cuba's
    authoritarian regime remains unable to provide for the basic needs of
    its people, to include essential food and medicine. The COVID pandemic
    has clearly exacerbated the regime's previous failings. Social media
    helped enable these protests and led to their large size. In response,
    the authoritarian government cut off access to the internet, denying
    the protestors freedom to communicate. If confirmed, I will ensure
    SOUTHCOM is in support of a whole of government approach to address the
    current challenges in Cuba.

        13. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, what steps can
    DOD take alongside the Departments of State and Treasury to support the
    Cuban people's right to engage in peaceful protests?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. I understand that security
    assistance to Cuba, and military-to-military engagement, including
    security cooperation activities is prohibited. If confirmed, I will
    ensure that SOUTHCOM is postured to support a whole of government
    approach.
     increasing the number of women and minorities in the senior ranks of
                                  the military
        14. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, if confirmed,
    you would only be the second woman ever to lead a military combatant
    command, a truly historic achievement. One of the areas I'm
    particularly interested in is making sure the Active Duty Force is
    providing a level playing field to ensure women and minorities have the
    same opportunities to assume senior leadership positions. How do you
    view this issue?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. It is well documented that diverse
    organizations perform the best when solving complex and complicated
    problems. While not perfect, the military continues to make progress in
    diversity, equity, and inclusion. In my view, I agree that it is
    critical that the military provide equal access to opportunities to
    ensure that all service members are competing as effectively as
    possible.

        15. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, what steps do
    you think DOD can take to increase gender and racial diversity in the
    senior military ranks?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. In my assessment, there are two
    broad areas where the Department of Defense can assess and address in
    order to increase diversity in the senior military ranks. The first is
    in the consistent mentorship and talent management of our subordinates.
    The military requires engaged leadership that seeks diversity on our
    teams and mentors diverse groups of officers and enlisted in the Joint
    Force. The second area is more structural in nature, but would ensure
    that there are opportunities available for a 21st century workforce
    that includes a growing number of dual military, dual income, and
    single parent households. We should also evaluate and adapt the
    qualifications and requirements for positions and opportunities that
    are seen as developmental and prerequisite for senior leader service.
    demand for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets in the
               region following the u.s. pullout from afghanistan
        16. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Richardson, as the United
    States completes its troop pullout in Afghanistan, senior
    administration officials have indicated the United States will need to
    rely on more over the horizon intelligence, surveillance, and
    reconnaissance (ISR) and kinetic assets to support any future
    operations in that country. How do you assess this additional demand
    for over the horizon ISR assets in Afghanistan affecting the
    availability of ISR assets in the SOUTHCOM AOR, especially given the
    difficulty in recent years SOUTHCOM has had in meeting the ISR demand
    signal?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Intelligence is critical to success
    in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. It is my understanding that
    SOUTHCOM currently receives less than one percent of the Department's
    ISR allocation. If confirmed, I will continue to advocate to the
    Secretary of Defense for the resources required to accomplish
    SOUTHCOM's mission--including ISR assets.
                                   __________

                 Questions Submitted by Senator Michael Rounds
                       chinese influence in latin america
        17. Senator Rounds. Lieutenant General Richardson, I recognize that
    we were a little short on time during the hearing on Tuesday, so I want
    to provide you with the chance to fill in more of the details on my
    previous question pertaining to Chinese influence in Latin America.
        During the hearing, you suggested that you share my concern about
    China's growing influence in Latin America. You also mentioned some of
    our security cooperation initiatives to combat Chinese influence, but I
    would appreciate more detail on how these initiatives help limit
    Chinese influence. Most importantly, what are additional resources this
    committee can help provide SOUTHCOM to better address the threat of
    Chinese influence in Latin America?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. In my view, effectively competing
    against Chinese influence in the SOUTHCOM region involves real,
    continuous presence and strong, collaborative relationships. Security
    cooperation and Institutional Capacity Building initiatives including
    multilateral exercises, Section 333 Training and Equipment programs,
    and IMET--International Military Education and Training- strengthen our
    partnerships, build trust, and teach rule of law and human rights. If
    confirmed, I will assess SOUTHCOM's programs and provide the Secretary
    of Defense and this committee a request for the resources required to
    address Chinese attempts to increase influence in the region.
                                   __________

                  Questions Submitted by Senator Dan Sullivan
                   chinese presence in the western hemisphere
        18. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, earlier this
    year Admiral Craig Faller testified before this committee at the
    SOUTHCOM posture hearing. In his statement for the record, Admiral
    Faller stated, ``[t]his Hemisphere in which we live is under assault.''
    He went on to further say, ``[w]e are losing our positional advantage
    in this Hemisphere and immediate action is needed to reverse this
    trend.'' Of course, he was referring to the Chinese Communist Party's
    (CCP) malign influence and activities which he characterized as, `` . .
    . weakening democratic institutions and leveraging the future of this
    Hemisphere.'' First, how would you characterize China's strategic
    objectives in the SOUTHCOM AOR over the 5, 10, and 20 year-time
    horizon?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. China has made it clear in other
    regions of the world that economic overtures are merely a precursor to
    political and diplomatic influence that threaten sovereignty. Currently
    in the SOUTHCOM AOR, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is actively
    seeking to improve its overseas operation and support capabilities by
    building `far seas forces' and developing overseas logistical
    facilities. China's influence can be seen in projects throughout Latin
    America and the Caribbean with ports, illegal economic activity, and
    disingenuous vaccine diplomacy.. Their robust Belt and Road Initiative
    is the long-term pathway that would involve Chinese control of
    logistics and trade routes, rare earth minerals, ports, and financial
    sectors across all domains spanning continents and oceans.

        19. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, second, why
    should the American people care what the CCP is doing in the Western
    Hemisphere?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. A permanent Chinese presence in the
    Western Hemisphere adversely impacts democratic countries within the
    region and ultimately causes regional instability. China's efforts to
    establish access through infrastructure projects increases global
    logistics and basing infrastructure for potential military power
    projection and sustainment within proximity to the United States.
    Additionally, China's presence near strategic locations within the
    hemisphere, such as the Panama Canal, potentially threatens United
    States' national interests.

        20. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, third, if
    confirmed, will you commit to taking on China's malign activities in
    the Western Hemisphere with--as Admiral Faller described--``an
    incredible sense of urgency''?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes.
                         one belt, one road initiative
        21. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, China has
    committed a significant amount of resources to establish its presence
    and influence throughout the SOUTHCOM AOR, primarily through the One
    Belt, One Road Initiative. In fact, over 60 percent of the countries in
    Central and South America have joined the Initiative and over 80
    percent host Chinese infrastructure projects. In your personal opinion,
    how effective is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in gaining and
    maintaining influence for China?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. As we have seen in other parts of
    the world, China has been very effective at making strategic
    investments that can be leveraged to gain and maintain global
    influence. Nineteen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have
    signed onto BRI, and China is funding infrastructure projects
    throughout the hemisphere. China's pragmatic attitude towards advancing
    outward investment under the banner of BRI is attractive to even those
    Latin American countries who are not formal signatories. Earlier this
    year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Colombian President Ivan Duque
    discussed BRI and deepening cooperation in areas such as energy,
    infrastructure, and telecommunications, despite Colombia expressing no
    interest in becoming a formal BRI signatory.

        22. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, what are your
    biggest concerns regarding the BRI's proliferation?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. I am greatly concerned about the
    possibility of Chinese-funded shipping, logistics, and telecom
    infrastructure having dual (military-civilian) use potential in the
    SOUTHCOM AOR. China's push to export its technologies to dozens of BRI
    countries also poses security challenges and concerns for our partners
    and could impact our ability to share information on mutual threats.

        23. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, Admiral Faller
    has previously noted that ``nine nations in the Western Hemisphere (out
    of 15 worldwide) still recognize Taiwan--a fact that has not gone
    unnoticed by Beijing, which is engaging in persistent (and successful)
    dollar diplomacy to lower that number to zero.'' How do programs--like
    the Belt and Road Initiative--contribute to this desired end state for
    China?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Switching recognition largely stems
    from China's increased economic clout in Latin America. When a country
    grants diplomatic recognition to Taiwan, it cannot also maintain
    relations with China--the world's second largest economy. China's
    spending in Latin America has increased significantly in the past
    decade under the Belt Road Initiative. China is the AOR's second
    largest trading partner not far behind the U.S. In 2019, Chinese
    companies invested $12.8 billion in Latin America, up 16.5 percent from
    2018, concentrating on regional infrastructure such as ports, roads,
    dams and railways. Countries recognizing Taiwan were not part of this
    Chinese economic activity. In the past four years, the Dominican
    Republic, El Salvador and Panama have each switched their recognition
    from Taiwan to China. China is also using the pandemic to pressure
    countries to switch recognition in exchange for desperately needed
    COVID vaccines.

        24. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, if confirmed,
    how will you go about--alongside your interagency counterparts--
    reversing the negative trends, to include the shrinking recognition of
    Taiwan, realized by the CCP's malign influence?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. In my view, the U.S. must work
    across the interagency and with international partners and allies to
    ensure that our partner nations in the region have options other than
    turning to the Chinese for these disadvantaged loans and deals. We must
    also share information quickly and broadly with partners on Chinese
    tactics and trends so that they make informed decisions on
    partnerships. We must shine a light on these predatory practices so
    that partners can protect themselves from these corrosive deals. For
    example, PRC-backed projects have caused extensive environmental damage
    and have failed to deliver on contractual agreements. The PRC conducts
    outreach to partners at the sub-national/local level, allowing them to
    create long term partnerships and cultivate influence with rising
    regional leaders. Expanding and increasing our regional engagement
    across the diplomatic, economic, and military domains can demonstrate
    the enduring value of the U.S. partnership.
                 china and transnational criminal organizations
        25. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, what roles is
    China playing in the production and shipment of precursor chemicals
    that are used by transnational criminal organizations to produce
    devastating drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine in the SOUTHCOM
    AOR?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. I understand that China is the
    principal source of the precursor chemicals that are used in the
    production of fentanyl, methamphetamines, and other illicit synthetic
    drugs. In 2020, the number of deaths in the U.S. from opioids alone was
    nearly 70,000. I also am aware that Fentanyl is being mixed into more
    commonly used drugs, like cocaine, making them exponentially more
    lethal to users. Chinese synthetic drug networks have a transnational
    reach and establish relationships with clients abroad, including in
    Mexico and in other locations in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility.
    In my assessment, these activities pose a sustained threat to the
    United States.
                             information operations
        26. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, how are the
    Chinese using information operations, to include disinformation, in the
    SOUTHCOM AOR?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Malign actors continue to evolve
    their methods of disinformation with the intent of undermining the U.S.
    in the eyes of our allies and partners in the SOUTHCOM area of
    responsibility. Beijing's aggressive propaganda and disinformation
    campaigns promote the PRC and discredit the U.S. and Western nations.
    This disinformation grossly distorts U.S. activities, intentions, and
    values. Chinese state media publishes Spanish language media,
    disseminating Beijing's messaging and propaganda directly to Latina
    America audiences, but China primarily relies on building influence
    among regional media sources, coopting local journalists to publish
    pro-Chinese and often anti-United States media.

        27. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, how would you
    compare United States and Chinese information operations in the
    SOUTHCOM AOR and who do you assess to be more effective?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. The United States utilizes the
    information space to communicate the benefits of democracy, the respect
    for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law. Conversely, the
    People's Republic of China uses this space to advance their interests
    through disinformation and misinformation against anything that
    prevents their ability to expand their influence.

        28. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, how can
    SOUTHCOM more effectively operate in the information domain?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Efforts to counter information
    operations and malign cyber activity must be executed quickly and must
    be adaptable and relevant. That means our operations in the information
    domain must be robust, forward-leaning and completely coordinated, not
    only with the State Department and other interagency partners, but with
    our partners and allies as well. New technologies including machine
    learning, artificial intelligence, and scraping can help identify and
    address current threats, but we still have a long way to go in
    countering such threats as our competitors will no doubt continue to
    evolve their methods of disinformation. If confirmed, I will assess
    SOUTHCOM's operations in the information domain and provide feedback to
    the Secretary of Defense as part of my integrated strategic approach.

        29. Senator Sullivan. Lieutenant General Richardson, what are the
    most pressing gaps in regards to policy, authority, or capabilities
    that need to be addressed?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. In my view, malign actors are
    actively competing in the information domain to undermine the United
    States and the democratic values we stand for. If confirmed, I will
    conduct a thorough review of the capabilities, resources, and
    authorities available to SOUTHCOM to be able to compete and win in the
    information space.
                                   __________

                Questions Submitted by Senator Marsha Blackburn
     u.s. southern command intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
                                   shortfalls
        30. Senator Blackburn. Lieutenant General Richardson, if nominated,
    do I have your commitment to work collaboratively with the committee in
    quantifying SOUTHCOM's ISR deficiencies--in terms of the number of
    lines, mix of assets, and supporting infrastructure required to address
    named areas of interest currently left uncovered?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Yes.

        31. Senator Blackburn. Lieutenant General Richardson, in the
    absence of reliable ISR, what alternative means can the United States
    leverage to understand the enemy and friendly situation in SOUTHCOM?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. In my view, we must leverage 21st
    century tools to gain better insights into the complex threats and
    challenges in the SOUTHCOM AOR. Advances in artificial intelligence and
    machine learning make it possible to data mine open source information
    at a fraction of the time and manpower that was once required. These
    innovative approaches are especially important when traditional ISR
    assets are limited.
                    illicit trafficking and border security
        32. Senator Blackburn. Lieutenant General Richardson, is the
    current approach to combating illicit trafficking, which is largely
    focused on interdicting drugs while in transit, the right approach?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. I agree with ADM Faller when he said
    that we will not be able to fully combat illicit drug trafficking
    through interdiction alone. Illicit trafficking has many components
    which need to be addressed through a whole-of-government approach, as
    well as thorough engagement with our partners in the Western
    Hemisphere. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the
    interagency and with our partner nations to address these challenges.

        33. Senator Blackburn. Lieutenant General Richardson, is SOUTHCOM
    currently postured to counter illicit trafficking threats at their
    origin or through attacking their networks and finances?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. Drug trafficking in the region is
    the largest funding source for Transnational Criminal Organizations
    (TCOs). Aggressively working with the interagency, as well as our
    partners in the region, to interdict the flow of illicit narcotics is
    one of the major efforts to attack the financial resources of the TCO
    networks and address the root causes of violence, corruption, and
    instability in the region. It is my understanding that SOUTHCOM is
    postured to counter illicit trafficking. Although their ability to do
    this is greatly enhanced by the efforts of our interagency
    counterparts, as well as those of our key partner nations (who
    accounted for 60 percent of interdictions last year). If confirmed, I
    will assess SOUTHCOM's ability to counter these threats, and request
    any additional resources if needed.

        34. Senator Blackburn. Lieutenant General Richardson, what role is
    China playing in the production and shipment of precursor chemicals
    that are used by Transnational Criminal Organizations to produce
    devastating drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine in the AOR?
        Lieutenant General Richardson. I understand that China is the
    principal source of the precursor chemicals that are used in the
    production of fentanyl, methamphetamines, and other illicit synthetic
    drugs. In 2020, the number of deaths in the U.S. from opioids alone was
    nearly 70,000. I also am aware that Fentanyl is being mixed into more
    commonly used drugs, like cocaine, making them exponentially more
    lethal to users. Chinese synthetic drug networks have a transnational
    reach and establish relationships with clients abroad, including in
    Mexico and in other locations in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility.
    In my assessment, these activities pose a sustained threat to the
    United States.
                                     ______

        [The nomination reference of Lieutenant General Laura J.
    Richardson, USA follows:]

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                     ______

        [The biographical sketch of Lieutenant General Laura J.
    Richardson, USA, which was transmitted to the Committee at the
    time the nomination was referred, follows:]

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                     ______

        [The Committee on Armed Services requires certain senior
    military officers nominated by the President to positions
    requiring the advice and consent of the Senate to complete a
    form that details the biographical, financial, and other
    information of the nominee. The form executed by Lieutenant
    General Laura J. Richardson, USA in connection with her
    nomination follows:]

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                     ______

        [The nominee responded to Parts B-F of the Committee
    questionnaire. The text of the questionnaire is set forth in
    the Appendix to this volume. The nominee's answers to Parts B-F
    are contained in the Committee's executive files.]

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                     ______

        [The nomination of Lieutenant General Laura J. Richardson,
    USA was reported to the Senate by Chairman Reed on August 10,
    2021, with the recommendation that the nomination be confirmed.
    The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on August 11, 2021.]

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