Days after Iran strikes, Trump hosts Latin American leaders to form anti-cartel coalition

Donald Trump hosted leaders from across Latin America on Saturday and announced the formation of a military coalition aimed at combating drug cartels across the region.

The initiative, called the Shield of the Americas, was unveiled during a summit in Florida attended by leaders from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Trump has repeatedly cited drug cartels as a major security threat and has argued for stronger U.S. involvement in Latin America during his second term.

“It’s a great part of the world, but to fill that tremendous potential, we must smash the grip of the cartels and criminal gangs,” Trump said during remarks at the summit.

The coalition will focus on coordinating security and military efforts among participating nations to combat organized crime networks.

Trump said Kristi Noem would serve as special envoy for the initiative. Noem had served as U.S. homeland security secretary until Trump removed her from the position earlier this week.

The summit comes as the U.S. administration also looks to counter the expanding economic and political influence of China across Latin America.

Trump is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing later this month.

Regional leaders attend

Among those attending the summit were Argentine President Javier Milei, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, and Chile’s president-elect José Antonio Kast.

Also participating were Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and Honduran President Nasry Asfura.

Many of the leaders have adopted hardline policies on crime and migration and support closer security cooperation with Washington.

Bukele’s aggressive campaign against gangs in El Salvador, including the construction of a massive prison complex for suspected gang members, has drawn international attention and criticism from human rights groups.

Countering China’s influence

U.S. officials say strengthening ties with regional governments is also part of a broader effort to counter China’s growing economic presence in Latin America.

Trade between China and Latin America reached record levels in recent years, while Beijing has expanded investment in infrastructure, energy projects, and ports across the region.

China has also provided financing and loans to governments across the Western Hemisphere, increasing its economic footprint.

The issue has been a point of concern for successive U.S. administrations as Washington seeks to maintain strategic influence in the region.

Recent tensions have also centered on strategic infrastructure projects, including operations linked to companies connected to the Panama Canal.

U.S. officials say the new coalition is intended to strengthen regional cooperation on security while reinforcing Washington’s partnerships across Latin America.