Hegseth Urges Latin American Allies to Take Aggressive Action Against Drug Cartels

U.S. Defense Secretary calls for greater military involvement to combat organized crime in the region.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Latin American countries to adopt a more aggressive approach against drug cartels, warning that the Trump administration would be forced to act unilaterally if governments fail to effectively combat criminal organizations that threaten the United States and border security. Hegseth spoke at the first 'Americas Counter Cartel Conference' in Miami, attended by defense officials from allied conservative governments in the region.

Why it matters

The Trump administration is seeking to leverage military assets to restore U.S. dominance in Latin America, a strategic pivot described as the 'Trump Corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine. This represents a shift away from a traditional law enforcement approach to combating drug cartels, which critics warn could weaken rule-of-law institutions in the region.

The details

Hegseth said the U.S. and Latin America shared a Christian heritage that was at stake due to 'decades of inaction' against organized crime. He pledged U.S. support to 'combat cartels, restore deterrence and make the Americas great again.' The administration has already designated cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and authorized military strikes against suspected drug smugglers. A major naval deployment also paved the way for the capture of Venezuela's former president Nicolas Maduro on drug charges.

  • The 'Americas Counter Cartel Conference' was held on March 5, 2026 in Miami.
  • Trump took office in January 2025 and pledged a renewed focus on Latin America.

The players

Pete Hegseth

U.S. Defense Secretary who called for a more aggressive approach against drug cartels in Latin America.

Donald Trump

The U.S. President who pledged a renewed focus on Latin America, described as the 'Trump Corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine.

Nicolas Maduro

The former president of Venezuela who was captured by the U.S. military and is now facing drug charges in New York.

Nayib Bukele

The president of El Salvador who rode to power on promises to use an 'iron fist' against criminal groups.

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What they’re saying

“America is prepared to take on these threats and go on the offense alone if necessary.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary (wbal.com)

“For too long, leaders in Washington abandoned the simple wisdom of the Monroe Doctrine.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary (wbal.com)

What’s next

The presidents of the Latin American countries that attended the conference are scheduled to meet with President Trump at his golf club on Saturday.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's shift towards greater military involvement in combating drug cartels in Latin America raises concerns about the potential weakening of rule-of-law institutions in the region, even as it seeks to restore U.S. dominance in the hemisphere.