Trump Urges Latin American Leaders to Use Military Against Cartels

President calls for regional cooperation to combat drug trafficking and transnational gangs

Mar. 7, 2026 at 11:34pm

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President Donald Trump encouraged Latin American leaders gathered at his golf club in Doral, Florida to take military action against drug trafficking cartels and transnational gangs, which he described as an "unacceptable threat" to the region's national security. Trump said the U.S. and its neighbors must "unleash the power of our militaries" to defeat these criminal organizations, drawing parallels to the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS.

Why it matters

Trump's push for greater military involvement in the fight against cartels represents an escalation of the U.S. government's approach to the issue, moving beyond law enforcement and intelligence cooperation to potential direct military intervention in Latin American countries. This could have significant geopolitical implications and raises concerns about national sovereignty and civilian oversight.

The details

The summit, which the White House called the "Shield of the Americas", brought together the leaders of over a dozen Latin American countries, though notable absences included Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Trump criticized Mexico as the "epicenter of cartel violence" and said the U.S. will turn its attention to Cuba after the conflict with Iran. The summit came just two months after the U.S. captured Venezuela's former president Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the U.S. to face drug conspiracy charges.

  • The summit took place on March 7, 2026.
  • Two months prior, the U.S. captured Venezuela's former president Nicolás Maduro.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who hosted the summit and called for greater military action against drug cartels in Latin America.

Nicolás Maduro

The former president of Venezuela who was captured by the U.S. and brought to the country to face drug conspiracy charges.

Miguel Díaz-Canel

The President of Cuba who described the summit as "small, reactionary, and neocolonial".

Kristi Noem

The former Homeland Security Secretary who was appointed as a special envoy for the "Shield of the Americas" summit.

Daniel Noboa

The President of Ecuador who said the joint operations with the U.S. against organized crime groups "is only the beginning".

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What they’re saying

“The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries. We have to use our military. You have to use your military.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (PBS NewsHour)

“The cartels are running Mexico. We can't have that. Too close to us. Too close to you.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (PBS NewsHour)

“Great change will soon be coming to Cuba.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (PBS NewsHour)

“This joint fight against drug traffickers "is only the beginning.”

— Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador (PBS NewsHour)

“We want our hemisphere to be safer, to be more sovereign, and to be more prosperous.”

— Kristi Noem, Special Envoy for the "Shield of the Americas" (PBS NewsHour)

What’s next

The judge in the case against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

Trump's call for greater military involvement by Latin American countries in the fight against drug cartels represents an escalation of the U.S. government's approach, raising concerns about national sovereignty and civilian oversight in the region. The summit highlighted the geopolitical tensions in the Western Hemisphere, with the U.S. seeking to counter growing Chinese influence while some leaders criticized the "neocolonial" nature of the gathering.