Trump Forms Anti-Crime Coalition with Latin American Leaders, Issues Warnings to Mexico & Cuba
MIAMI, Florida – President Donald Trump convened a summit dubbed “Shield of the Americas” on Saturday, bringing together a dozen Latin American leaders to discuss a new coalition aimed at aggressively targeting drug cartels. The initiative, announced at Trump’s golf club in Florida, signals a potential escalation of U.S. Involvement in regional security efforts, even as the administration navigates multiple international crises.
Trump urged the assembled leaders to consider military action against transnational criminal organizations, characterizing Mexico as “the epicenter of cartel violence” and accusing drug kingpins of orchestrating widespread chaos throughout the hemisphere. “The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries,” he stated, drawing a parallel to the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group. “We have to use our military. You have to use your military.”
The coalition, which currently includes 18 nations according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, aims to “eradicate the cartels at home,” a goal Trump has repeatedly emphasized as a priority for his second term. The initiative follows a recent audacious U.S. Military operation in Venezuela, where former President Nicolás Maduro was captured and brought to the United States to face drug conspiracy charges – an operation that has demonstrably shifted the dynamics of regional power.
Among those attending the summit were the presidents of Argentina, Javier Milei; Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz; Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves; Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; El Salvador, Nayib Bukele; Guyana, Irfaan Ali; Honduras, Nasry Asfura; Panama, José Raúl Mulino; Paraguay, Santiago Peña, and the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, as well as the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and the President-elect of Chile, José Antonio Kast. Several leaders publicly celebrated the agreement following the summit’s conclusion.
The move comes amid growing U.S. Concern over the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the country, and a perceived lack of sufficient action by some regional governments to combat cartel activity. Trump has previously suggested the possibility of U.S. Forces operating within Mexican territory, a prospect firmly rejected by the Mexican government.
Speaking after a public appearance on Saturday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum indicated she would respond to Trump’s statements on Monday, promising a “cool head” in her response. The relationship between Washington and Mexico City has been strained by Trump’s criticisms of Mexico’s efforts to curb drug trafficking, despite his acknowledgement of a “good relationship” with Sheinbaum.
Beyond the focus on cartels, the summit also addressed the situation in Cuba. Trump reiterated his belief that the Cuban socialist regime is on the verge of collapse, citing economic hardship and a lack of resources. “Cuba is in its last moments of life,” he asserted, predicting a “great change” in Havana.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel swiftly responded to Trump’s remarks via X, criticizing the summit as a display of willingness by some Latin American nations to “subordinate themselves to the interests of the powerful northern neighbor under the precepts of the Monroe Doctrine.”
The administration also highlighted its growing cooperation with Venezuela’s current leadership. Trump stated that Delcy Rodríguez, the country’s interim president, is “doing a great job,” and emphasized the increasing flow of Venezuelan oil to the United States. This development follows the ousting of Maduro, which Trump has indicated will pave the way for increased U.S. Investment in Venezuela’s oil sector.
Rodríguez, in turn, posted on X that Trump’s comments represent a recognition of Venezuela, and expressed her government’s willingness to cooperate and build “long-term relationships based on mutual respect, equality and international law.”
The “Shield of the Americas” summit represents a significant shift in U.S. Foreign policy towards Latin America, prioritizing security concerns and demonstrating a willingness to take more assertive action against criminal organizations. The long-term implications of this new coalition, and the extent to which regional partners will embrace military solutions, remain to be seen. The initiative also underscores the complex interplay of geopolitical interests and domestic political considerations driving U.S. Policy in the Western Hemisphere.
The U.S. Has already undertaken dozens of military operations since September targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking in international waters, resulting in over 100 deaths, a tactic that has drawn criticism both domestically, and internationally.