US expands anti-cartel operations in Latin America

The Trump administration is expanding its campaign against Latin American drug trafficking from sea-based strikes to on-land joint operations with regional partners. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Colombia, Ecuador, and Honduras have agreed to allow joint operations on their soil, though Guatemala has denied any agreement. The plan seeks to replicate the impact of the anti-drug boat strikes by targeting land-based criminal groups, marking a major escalation in the U.S. security posture in the region. Critics warn that such military expansion could cause civilian casualties and trigger a backlash, arguing the approach reflects asymmetrical power projection rather than genuine cooperation. The move comes as regional voters increasingly back Trump-aligned leaders, reinforcing Washington’s push for what officials call American dominance over the Western Hemisphere. Since Trump returned to the White House, the U.S. has intensified military and intelligence cooperation with Latin American governments, including designations of certain groups as foreign terrorist organizations.