Defense Secretary James Mattis said the U.S. military brings stability to most of Latin America through its operations at the South Florida-based Southern Command headquarters.

Mattis spoke Monday at a ceremony appointing Navy Adm. Craig Faller as new leader of the command that oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also responsible for security of the Panama Canal and the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.