Trump launches Latin America cartel coalition

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Latin American leaders to Florida on Saturday to launch a new coalition against drug cartels, even as he struck a dismissive tone toward the region, telling officials their ‌countries had allowed gangs to seize territory a…

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Latin American leaders to Florida on Saturday to launch a new coalition against drug cartels, even as he struck a dismissive tone toward the region, telling officials their ‌countries had allowed gangs to seize territory and joking that he had no time to learn their languages. Trump framed the effort as an aggressive campaign to confront drug cartels, citing them as a primary reason for ramping up U.S.

involvement in Latin America, including a pressure campaign against Venezuela that culminated in the January capture of President ‌Nicolas Maduro. At one point, Trump suggested the United States could use missiles against cartel leaders if partners ⁠requested it. He also singled out Mexico as the center of cartel activity and predicted major political change in ⁠Cuba, saying the country was "very much ⁠at the end of the line" and repeating previous statements that Cuban officials are negotiating with him and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

At ‌least a dozen leaders from Central America, South America and the Caribbean joined the "Shield of the Americas" summit, where Trump signed a proclamation launching the ⁠coalition. "Leaders in this region have allowed large swaths of territory in the Western ⁠Hemisphere to come under the direct control of transnational gangs, and they've run areas of your country," Trump said. "We're not gonna let that happen." In an opening speech that ran more than 30 minutes, Trump also touched on topics far beyond drug cartels, including Iran, Ukraine, Pakistan and India, political endorsements, former President Jimmy Carter, Dominican sugar, building battleships, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's "soothing" personality, Mexican President ⁠Claudia Sheinbaum's "beautiful voice," and the importance of interpreters.

Trump joked about language differences between himself and the mostly Spanish-speaking group of leaders. "I'm not learning your ⁠damn language," he said. "I don't have time." Rubio, a son of ‌Cuban immigrants, later delivered brief remarks in English and Spanish, while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed Trump's stance. Trump also joked about Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, saying that her name looked similar to that of former U.S.

Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump has pushed to build a coalition of regional partners around a more forceful approach to combating drug cartels and organized crime. Saturday's event ‌also gave him an opportunity to project strength closer to home as the war with Iran escalates and threatens to push up global oil and gas prices. Among those who attended the summit were Argentine President Javier Milei, Chile's President-elect Jose Antonio Kast and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, whose gang crackdown, criticized by human rights groups, has become a model for parts of Latin America's right.

Politicians from across the region have toured Bukele's sprawling "mega-prison", where the United States last year deported more than 200 Venezuelans without trial. Also in attendance was Honduran President Nasry ​Asfura, who narrowly won a disputed election with Trump's backing, and Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, who has echoed parts of Trump's economic agenda and recently announced joint operations with the U.S.

in a military crackdown on drug trafficking. Many of the leaders share Trump's hardline view of ‌crime and migration, favoring crackdowns over deeper social fixes and private business over the state. Their rise reflects a broader rightward turn in parts of Latin America at a time when the region is being pulled between Washington and Beijing. Trump did not mention China specifically but warned that the United States would not allow "hostile ‌foreign influence" to gain a foothold in the Western Hemisphere, including in the Panama Canal, a key global freight route.

The comments, while not ⁠explicit, come as Washington increasingly views Latin America ⁠through the lens of strategic competition with Beijing. China’s trade with the region ​reached about $518 billion in 2024 and Beijing has extended more than $120 billion in loans to governments across the Western Hemisphere, according to ⁠Ryan Berg of the Center for Strategic and ‌International Studies.

China’s growing footprint — from satellite tracking facilities in Argentina to a Chinese-backed port in Peru and ​economic support for Venezuela — has long troubled U.S. officials. In response, the Trump administration has pressed governments across the region to curb Beijing’s role in ports, energy projects and other strategic infrastructure. Skip the crowds. Enjoy tailor-made cultural journeys with our trusted licensed guides.

As if he ever could. His grasp of English is rudimentary at best and worsening as his brain cells shrink and atrophy. Multilingualism is a trait common among US presidents and a clear sign of intelligence. In an opening speech that ran more than 30 minutes, Trump also touched on topics far beyond drug cartels, including Iran, Ukraine, Pakistan and India, political endorsements, former President Jimmy Carter, Dominican sugar, building battleships, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's "soothing" personality, Mexican President ⁠Claudia Sheinbaum's "beautiful voice," and the importance of interpreters.

If the endless and voracious demand for drugs like fentanyl and meth was not there from Americans, there would be far less influence from dealers and drug cartels. Americans should start looking at why so many there turn to drugs to escape their miserable reality, and stop blaming others for their predicament. Look at why Americans have such a huge demand. “Shield of the Americas” does not exist and neither does the “steady genius”.

More distractions from his appalling failures; 92,000 job losses in February, evidence that the school bombing was US not Israeli, dead soldiers coming home and record disapproval ratings. Great news, far greater regional and hemisphere coordination to take on scourge of the cartels and all their illicit activities, especially their drug poison, killing so many, often 'laced' unknowingly into seemingly safe drugs.

All countries set to benefit by working together. Trump Admin, promises made, promises kept, drugs entering US dropping fast, Fentanyl down approx. 70% in 2025 vs. 2024. Its good fentanyl is down….be prepared for an upswing in another drug….my guess…heroin. These right-wing leaders in Hispanic America don't understand that Trump is using them like his trained flea circus to maintain a puppet right wing in the region just to please the geopolitical whims of the US..

Definitely, ALL right-wing political groups in the world are equally losers, ignorant, and pathetic. Trump joked about language differences between himself and the mostly Spanish-speaking group of leaders. "I'm not learning your ⁠damn language," he said. "I don't have time." Trump and Hegseth are true mental midgets – add their IQs up and you might get to 20… Rubio, a son of ‌Cuban immigrants, later delivered brief remarks in English and Spanish, while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed Trump's stance.

Rubio however knows better – which makes him even more despicable and evil, for willingly jettisoning his integrity and throwing in with these MAGA miscreants… Any Latino will remember the US coups and installations of right wing strong men, usually Armed Services , the torture hubs…..techiques learnt in the USA , the thousands of disappeared , many just students and the stealing of babies to give to childless couples in the Armed Services.

By initiatives like this. Central and South America are aligning themselves more and more with Trump (and away from Russia and China) daily. Another highly effective and efficient operation executed flawlessly by the Hegseth led Department of War.

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