Colombia joins Shield of the Americas anti-cartel coalition

Colombia has joined the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, also known as Shield of the Americas, becoming the 19th member of the initiative. The announcement was made by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a visit to Panama.

The coalition aims to combat narcotics and organized crime through coordinated intelligence and joint military operations. This move reflects a shift in Colombian security policy toward a more confrontational approach to criminal organizations and a desire to align more closely with U.S. security priorities.

Despite the expansion, critics note that the coalition lacks a detailed operational plan or specific terms regarding its military structure and mechanisms. Additionally, while lethal strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific have resulted in over 200 deaths, there is currently no evidence that these actions have successfully disrupted the flow of drugs or lowered cocaine prices in the United States.