US urges Latin America to use military against drug cartels

US Urges Latin America to Use Military Against Drug Cartels

Defense Chief Emphasizes Shift in Strategy

Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon’s top leader, called for a more assertive approach in the fight against drug cartels during a recent gathering with Latin American officials. He argued that the current methods are insufficient, urging the region to embrace military action to strengthen deterrence and achieve broader security goals. The meeting took place at the US Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida, and was attended by representatives from Argentina, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, along with over a dozen governments closely aligned with former President Donald Trump.

The event, labeled by the Pentagon as the “Americas Counter Cartel Conference,” aims to address the growing threat of organized crime. Hegseth highlighted the need to move beyond law enforcement strategies, stating that “business as usual will not hold.” He reiterated the US commitment to supporting Latin American nations in this effort, framing it as a critical step to “make the Americas great again.”

While the Trump administration described its renewed focus on Latin America as the “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine—a 19th-century policy designed to limit European influence—the conference marked a departure from past diplomatic efforts. Countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico, which have progressive governments, opted not to send delegations, signaling a divide in regional priorities.

“America is prepared to take on these threats and go on the offense alone if needed,” Hegseth stated. He emphasized the shared Christian heritage between the US and Latin American nations, suggesting it is under threat from the cartels’ activities. “Decades of inaction have left us vulnerable,” he said, criticizing the reliance on law enforcement alone.

Advisor Advocates for Military Focus

Stephen Miller, a key advisor in the White House Homeland Security Council, joined the meeting and underscored the necessity of military intervention. “We’ve learned that criminal justice alone can’t solve the cartel crisis,” he claimed, asserting that these groups are as dangerous as terrorist networks like al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.

“The reason this conference includes military leaders is because these organizations can only be defeated with military power,” Miller said. He further argued that drug cartels should be treated with the same severity as terrorist groups, stating, “The human rights we protect are not those of the savages who commit atrocities but those of the average citizens.”

Attendees expressed approval as the US pledged to provide additional resources to the Southern Command, which manages US forces in the region. This support comes after years of complaints about resource shortages, reflecting a growing alignment between the US and its Latin American allies in the battle against organized crime.