US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged Latin American nations to take decisive military action against drug cartels, describing them as a “cancer” that must be eradicated. He also offered US support, including precision missile strikes, to target narco kingpins in the region.
Speaking at his Doral golf club near Miami during the “Shield of the Americas” summit, Trump outlined a hardline approach for Latin America, warning that communist-led Cuba was “in its last moments of life” and pressing allies to confront organized crime.
“We’re working with you to do whatever we have to do. We’ll use missiles… That’s the end of that cartel person. But we’ll do whatever you need,” Trump told regional leaders, mimicking the sound of a missile strike.
The coalition, comprising 17 nations, was framed by the White House as a pledge to use “hard power” against security threats. Leaders in attendance included Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa, El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, and representatives from Bolivia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Chile’s president-elect Jose Antonio Kast.
Trump highlighted the urgency of military action, saying, “The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries. We have to use our military.” He also reaffirmed warnings toward Cuba, stating the country faces severe economic and political challenges and implying potential US intervention.
The summit comes amid escalating US involvement in Latin America and ongoing operations against narcotrafficking, including joint US-Ecuador strikes on drug facilities. Analysts note that major players such as Mexico and Brazil were absent, which may limit the effectiveness of anti-cartel efforts due to their pivotal roles in trafficking networks.
Experts say the growing violence from drug cartels has fueled right-wing electoral victories in the region, providing political momentum for tougher anti-crime measures and US-backed initiatives.
Trump’s remarks signal a renewed focus on militarized solutions for organized crime in Latin America, aligning with his broader agenda of asserting US influence in the hemisphere.
AFP
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