Trump Threatens Cartels and Cuba at Latin American Summit

US President Donald Trump Announces Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition at Summit in South Florida

At the inaugural “Shield of the Americas” summit in South Florida, US President Donald Trump announced the creation of the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition, a group of 12 countries committed to combating drug trafficking. The coalition aims to address the issue of cartels and other organized crime groups in Latin America.

During the summit, Trump emphasized the need for military action against these groups, stating that “the only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our military.” He also noted that local law enforcement may be intimidated by cartel activity, suggesting that military intervention could be necessary.

The attendance at the summit reflected a shift in US foreign policy under Trump’s second term. Right-wing leaders from countries such as Argentina, El Salvador, and Ecuador were among the guests, while Mexico and Brazil, two of the region’s largest economies, were not represented by top-level officials.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the cooperation among the attending nations, describing them as “friends” rather than just allies. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized the threat posed by cartels to the Western Hemisphere, citing shared cultural and religious roots.

The Trump administration has launched military operations in Latin America since returning to office in January 2025, primarily targeting alleged drug traffickers. The coalition announced on Saturday aims to address this issue through a coordinated effort among its member countries.

Since September, the US has conducted at least 44 aerial strikes against maritime vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in nearly 150 deaths. However, the identities of the victims have not been publicly confirmed, and evidence justifying the attacks has not been released.

Source: Al Jazeera