Americas Against Cartels Coalition summit in Panama

Overview

The Americas Against Cartels Coalition (A3C), or the ‘Shield of the Americas’, has convened in Panama City to coordinate multilateral efforts against transnational organized crime, including narcotics, money laundering, human trafficking, and arms smuggling.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino opened the forum by identifying narco-terrorism as a primary threat to regional stability and the Panama Canal, which he noted is a strategic target for criminal organizations. The summit coincides with the Panamax 2026 military exercises and the operation of the Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force, established by the U.S. Southern Command as an ‘enforcement arm’ to address hemispheric threats.

During the proceedings, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that Colombia, under newly inaugurated President Abelardo De La Espriella, will join the coalition as its 19th member. The Colombian government has authorized joint military operations with the United States to combat narco-terrorism, supported by a planned $1 billion in U.S. security assistance.

Hegseth used the platform to advocate for the ‘Donroe Doctrine’, a revamped version of the Monroe Doctrine emphasizing U.S. primacy in the hemisphere. He also urged allies to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, questioning its jurisdiction over partner military operations. These developments face criticism from Colombian opposition leaders regarding national sovereignty, as well as from human rights organizations. Reports indicate that U.S. military strikes on suspected drug vessels since September 2025 have resulted in at least 221 deaths, leading some experts to characterize the incidents as extrajudicial killings.

Entities

José Raúl Mulino · Pete Hegseth · Panama · Americas Against Cartels Coalition · Francis Donovan

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 14 SOURCES] Colombia is joining the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) as its 19th member. www.laopinioncoruna.es · wdez.com · wixx.com · wsau.com · combonoticias.com · +9 more
[● 12 SOURCES] Colombia has authorized joint military operations with the U.S. to combat narco-terrorism. combonoticias.com · www.laopinioncoruna.es · wdez.com · wixx.com · www.elespectador.com · +7 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The United States plans to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia. wdez.com · www.laopinioncoruna.es · www.elespectador.com · oantagonista.com.br · colombiareports.com · +2 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Hegseth urged coalition allies to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. wdez.com · wixx.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · valor.globo.com · caretas.pe · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] U.S. military strikes on suspected drug vessels since last September have killed over 200 people. wdez.com · wixx.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · valor.globo.com
[● 4 SOURCES] President José Raúl Mulino identified drug trafficking and narco-terrorism as the primary threats to regional stability. destinopanama.com.pa · elnuevodiario.com.do · www.panamaamerica.com.pa · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 3 SOURCES] The Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force will serve as the enforcement arm of the Southern Command. 2001online.com · www.elcomercio.com · oem.com.mx
[● 3 SOURCES] Hegseth invoked a revamped version of the Monroe Doctrine, calling it the 'Donroe Doctrine'. wdez.com · wixx.com · valor.globo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The agreement allows Washington to escalate its efforts against drug traffickers in Latin America. www.businessdaily.gr · www.in.gr · www.zougla.gr

Timeline

1 day ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 41 sources FAST-MOVING
Colombia authorizes joint U.S. military operations against narcoterrorism
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Colombia will join the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and has authorized joint military operations with the U.S. to fight narcoterrorism.
1 day ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 11 sources
Americas Against Cartels Coalition meets in Panama to combat drug trafficking
The Americas Against Cartels Coalition (A3C) is meeting in Panama to coordinate regional security efforts against drug trafficking and organized crime, involving nearly 20 countries.

Sources

2001online.com · businessdaily.gr · caretas.pe · colombiareports.com · combonoticias.com · conteudos.cnnbrasil.com.br · destinopanama.com.pa · diamenty.forbes.pl · diariodocentrodomundo.com.br · diariopanorama.com · dnyuz.com · dobrapraxe.cz · elcomercio.com · eldia.com.do · elespectador.com · elfinanciero.com.mx · elheraldodechiapas.com.mx · elnuevodiario.com.do · elpregonerord.com · enikos.gr · entrelineas.com.mx · extranoticias.cl · lagaceta.com.ar · laopinion.com.co · laopinioncoruna.es · lasillavacia.com · lavozdelprm.org · levante-emv.com · liveblog.wtop.com · maps.in.gr · mobile.valor.com.br · nicaraguainvestiga.com · noticiabrasil.net.br · ocio.lne.es · panamaamerica.com.pa · paparazzi.com.ar · porelojodelacerradura.com.do · precision.com.do · prensa-latina.cu · protothema.gr · regeneracion.mx · seguimiento.co · tn.com.ar · tplmoms.com · trinidadtribune.com · ultimasnoticias.com.ve · wdez.com · winnipegfreepress.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history