Sergio de la Peña
Role: Contributor
Position: Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs
Background:
Sergio de la Peña served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs under the Trump administration. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing defense policy related to countries in the Western Hemisphere, including Latin America and Canada. De la Peña has a distinguished military background, having served as a U.S. Army Colonel before transitioning to roles in defense policy and consultancy. He holds a BA from the University of Iowa and an MA from the U.S. Army War College. His experience spans over three decades, focusing on defense strategies, regional security, and international relations, particularly within the Western Hemisphere.
Relation to Trump:
As Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Sergio de la Peña was directly involved in executing the Trump administration’s defense and foreign policy objectives in the Western Hemisphere. This included policies related to regional security cooperation, counter-narcotics operations, and military engagements with Latin American countries. His work aligned closely with the administration’s broader goals of strengthening U.S. influence in the region and addressing key security concerns.
Scandals or Controversies:
Sergio de la Peña has not been involved in any major personal scandals. However, his tenure at the Department of Defense during a politically divisive time means that his decisions and policies were subject to scrutiny and debate. The role inherently involves handling sensitive and sometimes controversial issues related to national security and international relations, which can attract public and political attention.
Potential Concerns:
In his role at the Department of Defense, de la Peña was involved in shaping and implementing U.S. defense policy in the Western Hemisphere, a region with complex issues such as drug trafficking, immigration, and regional security dynamics. Critics may scrutinize his policy decisions and their impacts on U.S. relations with countries in the region. His involvement in specific controversial policies or incidents would depend on the context of his decisions during his tenure.