Trump Announces Formation of Anti-Drug Cartel Coalition with Latin American Leaders
In a significant move to combat regional drug trafficking and narcoterrorism, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the formation of a military coalition with 12 leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. The announcement was made at the Trump National Doral complex in Miami, highlighting a robust approach towards tackling one of the most pressing security challenges in the region.
The initiative, known as the Carta de Doral, marks an unprecedented use of lethal force and cooperation protocols in defense matters. Under this pact, the coalition will utilize “lethal military force” to dismantle the infrastructure of transnational criminal organizations. Trump stressed during his speech, “Not only are they criminals, but they are terrorists threatening our existence.”
Among the countries forming the coalition are Argentina, El Salvador, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Key leaders signing the agreement include Javier Milei (Argentina), Nayib Bukele (El Salvador), Daniel Noboa (Ecuador), Santiago Peña (Paraguay), and José Antonio Kast (Chile). These leaders are largely viewed as aligning with the “America First” doctrine.
The agreement outlines enhanced intelligence sharing and joint operations, with the White House appointing Kristi Noem as a special envoy to oversee the military and security actions slated to begin on March 31. The coalition aims to “seal the borders” and curb drug trafficking and illegal migration, activities attributed to organized criminal networks by Washington.
In a pointed remark, Trump identified Mexico as the “epicenter of cartel violence,” asserting that Mexican criminal groups were responsible for orchestrating chaos throughout the hemisphere. His administration, Trump suggested, would not allow these groups to operate with impunity.
Critics have compared the Carta de Doral to an updated Monroe Doctrine, dubbing it the “Doctrina Donroe,” with the U.S. assuming a leadership role in regional security alongside allied governments. The White House described this as a proclamation of the hemisphere’s right to a future free from external interference, supported by the use of lethal military force, shared intelligence mechanisms, and coordinated offensive operations against transnational criminal logistics and operational centers.
While the implementation timeline for the coalition and its initial joint operations is under review, international bodies and regional governments are assessing the agreement’s implications and potential impacts.
Official Agenda and Key Meetings following the Carta de Doral Signing
Activities continue at the Trump National Doral with a focus on technical and diplomatic discussions:
- Working Lunch with Marco Rubio: The 12 leaders, including Javier Milei, Nayib Bukele, and Rodrigo Paz, will participate in a lunch with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the logistical implementation of the Carta de Doral.
- Bilateral Meetings: Throughout the afternoon and evening, private meetings are scheduled. Notably, Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz will meet with Rubio and other dignitaries to address specific security issues in the Andean region.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
