Trump Hosts Latin American Leaders at Miami Summit Amid Regional Influence Push

MIAMI, FL – U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting a summit with leaders from six Latin American nations at his Trump National Doral Miami resort on March 7, 2026, as the administration seeks to solidify its influence in the region and counter growing Chinese economic and political inroads. The gathering follows a recent, assertive U.S. Military and law enforcement operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are now facing federal charges in the United States.

The invited presidents are Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, Javier Milei of Argentina, Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, Santiago Peña of Paraguay, Rodrigo Paz of Bolivia, and Nasry Asfura of Honduras – all leaders described as maintaining strong personal ties with President Trump, according to sources familiar with the planning of the summit. The choice of location, the Trump National Doral Miami, underscores the President’s continued use of his own properties for high-stakes diplomatic engagements.

While details of the agenda remain undisclosed, officials indicate a central focus will be on strategies to mitigate China’s expanding influence across Latin America. Washington has increasingly framed competition in the Western Hemisphere as a geopolitical contest, and the summit is intended to reinforce alignment with regional partners. This comes after a concerted effort by the Trump administration to assert dominance in the region, including a recent gathering of defense chiefs and senior military officials from 34 countries in the hemisphere convened by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine.

The operation in Venezuela, code-named “Operation Absolute Resolve,” involved coordinated military strikes, the deployment of special forces, and the disabling of Venezuelan air-defense systems. Maduro and Flores were taken into custody during a predawn raid and transported to the United States to face charges including drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. President Trump characterized the operation as a necessary measure to confront alleged criminal activity and signaled a U.S.-led political transition process in Venezuela, potentially opening the door for American oil companies to participate in the country’s energy infrastructure restoration.

The Trump National Doral Miami, a four-star resort according to the Forbes Travel Guide, offers a range of accommodations, with standard rooms starting at $665 per night for members of the Trump Card loyalty program, and $700 for non-members. “Signature suites” are priced from $1,132 per night for members, potentially exceeding $2,000 including taxes for packages including golf access. The resort, originally opened in the 1960s, also features extensive event spaces, including ballrooms capable of hosting over 1,000 people, and executive meeting rooms accommodating up to 20 attendees.

The selection of the Trump National Doral Miami is consistent with a pattern of President Trump utilizing his own properties for politically significant events. In July 2025, he inaugurated a new golf course in Scotland amidst trade tensions with Europe and escalating concerns over the war in Ukraine, hosting Scottish authorities and attracting substantial media coverage. Similarly, his Mar-a-Lago residence has frequently served as a venue for meetings and announcements.

The summit takes place against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical competition with China in Latin America. Washington has expressed concern over Chinese investment and influence in the region, particularly regarding infrastructure projects and access to strategic resources. The U.S. Administration’s actions in Venezuela, and its broader strategy for the Western Hemisphere, are demonstrably aimed at countering what it perceives as a growing threat to its regional dominance.

The meeting also follows increased pressure on Cuba, with reports indicating difficulties in securing petroleum supplies. This situation, according to some reports, has been exacerbated by U.S. Policies. The confluence of these events – the Venezuela operation, the summit with regional leaders, and the ongoing competition with China – underscores the Trump administration’s assertive approach to foreign policy in the Americas.