President Donald Trump on Saturday announced a sweeping new anti-cartel security doctrine, unveiling a regional alliance aimed at confronting narcotics cartels across the Western Hemisphere.
Speaking at a summit in Doral, Florida, Trump rallied leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean behind what the administration described as a new hemispheric security framework called the “Shield of the Americas.” The agreement emphasizes coordinated military and law enforcement efforts to dismantle cartel networks that officials say are destabilizing the region.
“The heart of our agreement is a commitment to using lethal military force to destroy the sinister cartels and terrorist networks,” Trump said during remarks at the summit.
The conference brought together leaders from 12 nations in the Americas. Among those attending were:
Argentinian President Javier Milei
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Pereira
Chilean President-elect Jose Antonio Kast
Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles
Dominican Republic President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona
Ecuadorian President Daniel Roy Gilchrist Noboa Azín
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele Ortez
Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Honduran President Tito Asfura
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino Quintero
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña
Trinidad and Tobago President Kamla Persad-Bissessar
The White House said the gathering was designed to strengthen regional cooperation on security, economic development, and governance across the Americas.
Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been appointed as a special envoy to coordinate the new initiative.
During his speech, Trump described cartel violence as one of the greatest threats facing the Western Hemisphere.
“Cartel violence is the epicenter of instability across the Americas,” the president said. He added that many cartel organizations recently designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations have “terrorized our hemisphere for far too long.”
Trump argued that the scale and reach of the cartels require coordinated international action.
“No nation can stand alone against cartels this powerful,” he said. “The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the powers of our militaries.”
The president said existing security partnerships between the United States and regional allies will deepen under the new pact, with expanded cooperation between military and law enforcement agencies.
Trump also focused much of his remarks on the role of Mexican cartels in regional violence, arguing they are responsible for much of the instability affecting the hemisphere.
“The Mexican cartels are fueling and orchestrating much of the bloodshed and chaos in this hemisphere,” he said, adding that the United States would take whatever steps are necessary to protect national security.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum did not attend the summit. It was not immediately clear whether she declined an invitation or was not invited to participate.
During his remarks, Trump criticized Mexico’s handling of cartel activity and warned that criminal organizations were gaining increasing influence.
“The cartels are running Mexico,” Trump said. “We can’t have that. It’s too close to us.”
The president also urged participating nations to intensify law enforcement operations against gangs and transnational crime networks operating within their borders.
Trump said the United States would support regional partners willing to confront cartel groups and strengthen security cooperation.
The summit concluded with leaders signaling support for increased collaboration to combat organized crime, with the United States positioning itself at the center of a new regional strategy.
Administration officials said the initiative represents a shift toward a more aggressive approach to dismantling cartel operations across the Americas, emphasizing military coordination alongside traditional law enforcement efforts.
