Trump Offers Latin American Nations US Missile Strikes Against Drug Cartels

US President Donald Trump urged Latin American nations on Saturday to confront the “cancer” of drug cartels with military force as he launched a new coalition against organized crime, which he termed an existential threat to some countries in the region.

Currently embroiled in conflict with Iran, Trump laid out his muscular stance for advancing Washington’s interests in the Western Hemisphere. He declared Cuba to be on its “last moments of life” and called for robust action by allies against criminal organizations blighting the region.

Trump convened a 17-nation “counter cartel” coalition at his Doral golf club near Miami, emphasizing that allies would use “hard power,” including missile strikes, if needed. The White House characterized it as a pledge from regional governments to employ military might in combating security threats.

“I’ll take care of Cuba,” Trump said to the leaders. “They have no money, they have no oil. They have a bad philosophy and a bad regime that’s been bad for a long time.”

The summit brought together right-wing presidents from across Latin America, including Javier Milei of Argentina, Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador. The latter’s stringent security measures are seen as an exemplar for the region.

Irene Mia, a Latin America expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, highlighted concerns about the rising power of drug cartels in countries previously considered safe—such as Ecuador and Chile—and how this has fueled recent electoral victories by the right-wing.

While the US intervention garnered less backlash compared to previous efforts in the region, Mia observed that the strained security situation justifies such a response. “The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries,” Trump asserted, echoing his warnings against Cuba and Iran.

This week, Ecuador announced joint operations with the US to combat drug trafficking, transforming one of the hemisphere’s safest countries into one of its deadliest within years. The United States and Ecuador jointly released video footage showcasing a successful strike in a forested area, labeled as a blow to “narcoterrorists.”

Trump also addressed the current conflicts and tensions by sharing that Mexican drug lord El Mencho had recently been killed, sparking widespread violence across Mexico and prompting vehemence from his suspected supporters.

Despite these recent events, analysts noted some glaring absences: Mexico and Brazil were absent, which could hamper efforts to tackle narcotrafficking and counterterrorism. Mia pointed out that Mexican cartels play a crucial role in the trafficking supply chain, while Brazilian ports are significant narco-trafficking routes to Europe.

Last month, Mexican authorities conducted a military raid that led to widespread violence across multiple states, including highway blockades and arson attacks on businesses and residences.