The United States government warned this Thursday (5), during a conference held in Miami, that it is ready to launch a military offensive against criminal groups in Latin America, including unilaterally, if it deems it necessary. The statement was made by US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, who called on countries in the region to intensify the fight against narco-terrorists.
According to Hegseth, the US prefers to act in cooperation with its neighbors, but does not rule out acting alone.
“The United States is prepared to address these threats and go on the offensive alone if necessary. However, it is our preference and the goal of this conference that, in the interest of the neighborhood, we do everything together with you, with our neighbors and allies,” he declared.
The secretary spoke at the opening of the conference “Americas against the cartels”, held at the headquarters of the United States Southern Command (Southcom), in Florida. At the event, he stated that the new Monroe Doctrine – called “Donroe” by members of the government -, defended by President Donald Trump, supports the possibility of military attacks against organizations linked to drug trafficking in the region.
Hegseth said that all governments in Latin America need to adopt a more active stance in combating organized crime and defended the deepening of military and intelligence cooperation between countries. The conference in Florida took place days after the first joint military operation between the United States and Ecuador against organizations classified as narco-terrorists in that South American country, as announced by Southcom following a visit by Commander Francis Donovan to the region.
Since September last year, the US has bombed 44 vessels linked to drug trafficking in the Pacific and the Caribbean, as part of the “Southern Spear” operation. According to authorities, these actions left at least 150 people dead.
During the event in Miami, Donovan reinforced the message that Washington is willing to act in the region to attack organized crime, if it deems it necessary.
“We are your primary partner in working, together and across your nations, to achieve shared goals, but when necessary, we will not hesitate to act,” he declared.
Hegseth justified the White House’s more aggressive stance by citing the impact of drugs in the United States. According to him, “more than a million Americans” died from overdoses of fentanyl, cocaine and other substances during the government of Democrat Joe Biden (2021-2025). He also stated that the human trafficking industry would have “exploded” by 2,000%, reaching US$13 billion by 2022.
This Wednesday (4), the Senate of Paraguay approved, by 28 votes, an agreement between the local government and the United States to expand cooperation in combating transnational organized crime. According to the approved document, the agreement establishes the conditions for defense cooperation between the two countries, including technical, tactical and training support. The proposal does not yet mention the installation of permanent military bases or the transfer of territorial sovereignty. The text also authorizes the temporary entry of American military personnel and civilian personnel into Paraguayan territory, with migration facilities, the use of uniforms and the introduction of equipment necessary for the planned activities.
