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[INTERNATIONAL] · United States, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador · 15 sources

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Part of situation: US military anti-drug operations in Latin America (28 clusters)

U.S. expands military anti-drug campaign to land in Latin America

counter-narcotics military operations Latin America drug cartels security policy

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced an expansion of the Trump administration’s anti-drug campaign in Latin America, shifting from maritime strikes to land-based military operations. Hegseth stated during a visit to Panama that Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras have agreed to allow joint U.S. military operations against criminal organizations on their territory. This follows similar missions already underway in Ecuador since March.

The expansion follows a year of U.S. maritime strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific that have reportedly killed hundreds of people. The administration has designated 20 Latin American criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations to justify these actions. However, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has denied that any such agreement has been reached, noting that such deployments would require congressional approval.

Critics and analysts warn that the increased military presence aims to project U.S. power and impose a Washington-led security agenda. There are also concerns regarding potential civilian casualties and the impact on national sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) is working to coordinate security and intelligence efforts among 19 nations, though major regional powers like Brazil and Mexico remain outside the initiative.

Entities

Americas Counter Cartel Coalition · Bernardo Arévalo · Donald Trump · Inter-American Dialogue · Pete Hegseth · United States Department of Defense

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

US Military Expansion in Latin America Sparks Controversy [www.digitalnewsreport.com]
EE. UU. alista ataques terrestres contra el narcotráfico en América Latina (Detalles) - CURADAS [curadas.com]
TRUMP LLEVA OFENSIVA CONTRA CÁRTELES A TIERRA FIRME [www.calibre800.com]
EUA planejam ataques terrestres contra traficantes na América Latina [www.brasilemfolhas.com.br]
EE. UU. amplía en tierra su campaña militar en Latinoamérica: el nuevo tablero para los intereses españoles [www.moncloa.com]
SAD širi vojnu kampanju na kopno u Latinskoj Americi, rastu strahovi od posljedica [www.klix.ba]
After killing hundreds in boat strikes, US military expands campaign on land in Latin America [srnnews.com]
Trump amplia operações militares dos EUA na América Latina [bpmoney.com.br]
¿Operativos en tierra? Qué hará EE. UU. tras los ataques a presuntas “narcolanchas” en Latinoamérica [www.prensalibre.com]
After killing hundreds in boat strikes, US military expands campaign on land in Latin America [www.whec.com]
Estados Unidos planejam ataques em terra contra traficantes na América Latina: “Onde quer que trafiquem drogas” - Jornal O Sul [www.osul.com.br]
Hegseth diz que Estados Unidos não descartam ação militar contra Cuba [www.ocafezinho.com]
After killing hundreds in boat strikes, US military expands campaign on land in Latin America [www.troyrecord.com]
US Military Quietly Expands Land Strikes in Latin America After Slaughtering Hundreds on High-Seas Boats [www.ibtimes.co.uk]
After A Year Of Bombing Suspected Drug Boats, Pete Hegseth signals Strikes On Land [www.ibtimes.com]