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US plans land-based military operations against drug cartels in Latin America FAST-MOVING
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced plans to expand military operations against drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) from international waters to land-based actions in Latin America. Speaking in Panama, Hegseth stated that the United States aims to achieve the same operational effect on land that has been seen in recent airstrikes against suspected drug-running boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
The proposed strategy involves working with regional partners, specifically mentioning Ecuador and Colombia, to target networks involved in the trafficking of cocaine and fentanyl. Hegseth equated these criminal organizations to terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda, asserting that they will be considered legitimate targets anywhere they threaten the US or its allies.
These plans are part of a broader initiative led by the Trump administration through the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, a 19-country alliance that includes nations such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Honduras, and Peru. Hegseth emphasized a shift toward using lethal force to destroy these networks, stating that the US does not intend to rely on judicial processes that might result in the release of suspects.
The announcement follows a maritime bombing campaign launched last September, which reportedly resulted in at least 215 deaths. The expansion of these operations has drawn scrutiny regarding the use of extrajudicial force.
Entities
Americas Counter Cartel Coalition · Colombia · Donald Trump · Panama · Pete Hegseth · United States Department of Defense
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 11 SOURCES] Drug trafficking organizations are considered targets similar to ISIS or Al Qaeda. www.jamaicaobserver.com · estamosaqui.mx · www.extranoticias.cl · www.infomoney.com.br · sbtnews.sbt.com.br · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The United States is planning land attacks against drug traffickers in Latin America. www.jamaicaobserver.com · estamosaqui.mx · www.extranoticias.cl · www.infomoney.com.br · sbtnews.sbt.com.br · +6 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] A US bombing campaign against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific has resulted in at least 215 deaths. www.jamaicaobserver.com · estamosaqui.mx · www.extranoticias.cl · www.infomoney.com.br · www.tag24.com · +4 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The US is working with Ecuador and Colombia to bring military operations against drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) to land. www.jamaicaobserver.com · estamosaqui.mx · www.extranoticias.cl · www.infomoney.com.br · sbtnews.sbt.com.br · +5 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The US intends to use lethal force against drug networks rather than relying on judicial processes. www.extranoticias.cl · www.infomoney.com.br · veja.abril.com.br
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition is a 19-country alliance led by the United States. www.jamaicaobserver.com · estamosaqui.mx · www.extranoticias.cl · www.infomoney.com.br · www.tag24.com · +2 more