Trump launches military-backed push to dismantle cartels across Latin America

At the Shield of the Americas Summit in Florida, President Trump unveiled a proclamation authorizing U.S. military action against drug cartels in Ecuador and signaling expansion to other Latin American countries under a new Americas Counter Cartel Coalition. Seventeen nations signed a joint security declaration to coordinate operations, identify cartel targets, and curb trafficking, migration, and malign influence in the region. Attendees included Ecuador’s Noboa, Argentina’s Milei, El Salvador’s Bukele, and Chile’s Kast. Kristi Noem was introduced in a new envoy role for the initiative.