Trump created an international “Anti-Cartel Coalition”, which was joined by 17 countries
US President Donald Trump announced the launch of a new international coalition to combat drug cartels in Latin America. He announced this during the first “Shield of the Americas” summit on March 8, broadcast by the White House.
According to Trump, the main task of the coalition is to eliminate criminal cartels and terrorist networks in the region using military and operational methods. He noted that the United States is already conducting active operations against cartels in the Caribbean and Latin America.
At least 17 countries have joined the “Coalition to Combat the Cartels of the Americas”, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic. The participating countries will provide data on the locations of the cartels for joint coordination of actions.
“At the heart of our agreement is the commitment to use lethal military force to destroy criminal cartels and terrorist networks once and for all. We will eliminate them. We need your help. Just tell us where they are. We have incredible weapons, as you may have noticed in the last short period of time,” Trump emphasized.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Christie Noem received the post of special ambassador for the coalition, and Senator Markwayne Mullin will become the new head of DHS after her. In a post on X, Noem noted that the new role will strengthen international security partnerships.
“The Western Hemisphere is critical to U.S. security. In this role, I will be able to draw on the partnerships and national security expertise I have gained over the past 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security,” she said.
In August 2025, the White House stated its readiness to use all available resources to stop the flow of drugs into the United States.
