Hegseth Promotes Regional Border Security at Counter Cartel Conference

U.S. Secretary of War signs joint security declaration with 17 countries in the Western Hemisphere

Mar. 5, 2026 at 7:38pm

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U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasized the importance of strong, regional border security during the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida. Hegseth, along with representatives from 17 countries throughout the Western Hemisphere, signed a joint security declaration reaffirming their commitment to peace, sovereignty and stability in the region.

Why it matters

The conference reflects the current administration's prioritization of homeland security and regional cooperation to address issues like human smuggling, narco-terrorism, and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. Hegseth drew comparisons to the Monroe Doctrine, emphasizing the need for the Western Hemisphere to be a region of strong, sovereign nations.

The details

Hegseth told the group that under the current administration, trends like illegal border crossings and fentanyl trafficking are reversing, but stressed the need for increased burden sharing and partnership among all countries in the hemisphere. He appealed to the represented nations to make border security their top priority, stating that "America is prepared to take on these threats and go on the offense alone, if necessary" but prefers to work together with regional allies.

  • The inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference was held on March 5, 2026.

The players

Pete Hegseth

U.S. Secretary of War who underscored the importance of strong, regional border security at the conference.

Donald J. Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration's National Defense Strategy has prioritized homeland defense and prosperity of the American people, according to Hegseth.

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What they’re saying

“This conference is about you; this conference is about us. This conference is not called the 'America's Counter Cartel Conference'; it's the 'Americas Counter Cartel Conference'.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War (eurasiareview.com)

“With Donald Trump in the Oval Office, and with all of you here, we can still realize that long-ago dream of James Monroe, [and] in our time, we will make the Americas great again.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War (eurasiareview.com)

What’s next

The joint security declaration signed at the conference will guide future regional cooperation and security efforts among the participating countries.

The takeaway

This conference underscores the current administration's focus on homeland security and regional partnerships to address transnational threats, echoing the spirit of the Monroe Doctrine and the goal of a secure, prosperous Western Hemisphere.