The Summit in Florida
US President Donald Trump hosted a gathering of Latin American leaders at his Miami-area golf club on March 7 to launch the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition. Trump signed a proclamation establishing this new military partnership, calling it the Shield of the Americas. The event focused on using military force against drug trafficking organizations that threaten regional security.
Attendees and Absences
Leaders including Argentina's Javier Milei, El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, and Ecuador's Daniel Noboa attended the summit. Representatives from Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago also attended. Notably, presidents from Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia stayed away, as their countries have left-leaning leadership.
Trump's Key Statements
Trump declared that Latin America has tremendous potential if cartels and criminal gangs are defeated. He emphasized that militaries must lead the fight, stating, "The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries." Trump added that the US would provide support, saying, "We'll use missiles. You want us to use a missile? They're extremely accurate."
Offers of US Military Aid
Trump described missiles as tools for precise strikes, mimicking their sound with "Piu, right into the living room." He promised to target cartel figures directly, noting, "That's the end of that cartel person." The coalition will have Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as its special envoy, working with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Past US Actions in the Region
Since September, the US has reportedly conducted at least 44 aerial strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, though victims' identities have not been confirmed and evidence has not been publicly released to justify the strikes. Trump highlighted Operation Absolute Resolve, which led to the abduction and imprisonment of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a raid that reportedly killed at least 80 people, including 32 Cuban military officers, dozens of Venezuelan security forces, and several civilians. He characterized the operation as an 18-minute event of "pure violence" that brought Maduro to trial in New York on drug charges.
Warnings to Leaders
Trump warned that some leaders face personal danger from cartels controlling territory. He singled out Mexico as the epicenter of cartel violence, urging its president to intensify efforts. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described cartels as an existential crisis for the hemisphere, stressing shared cultural ties.
This coalition could disrupt drug supplies entering the US, affecting street-level availability and related crime in American communities. It might also escalate regional conflicts, potentially raising costs for border security and impacting everyday safety for people near trafficking routes. A concrete next step is the appointment of Kristi Noem as envoy.
