# US-led anti-cartel military operations in Latin America

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-led-anti-cartel-military-operations-in-latin-america
> Updated: 2026-08-13T22:42:57.000Z. Sources: 43. Developments: 2.

The United States has initiated a coordinated military and diplomatic effort to combat drug trafficking organizations in Latin America through the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition.

During a meeting in Panama, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to expand military operations against drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) to include land-based attacks. Hegseth stated that the U.S. aims to achieve the ‘same operational effect on land’ as seen in recent airstrikes against suspected drug-running vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. He emphasized that any organization trafficking drugs or threatening the U.S. or its partners will be considered a target, comparing these groups to terrorist organizations such as ISIS and Al Qaeda.

Washington is working closely with regional partners, specifically mentioning Ecuador and Colombia, to bring these combat capabilities to the continent. This expansion follows a maritime bombing campaign launched last September that reportedly resulted in at least 215 deaths. Critics and legal experts have raised concerns that these operations may amount to extrajudicial killings. Hegseth defended the use of lethal force, suggesting that the U.S. intends to destroy these networks rather than relying on traditional judicial processes.

In addition to military strategy, Hegseth urged Latin American nations to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing that the court’s actions attempt to ‘take away the sovereignty of countries.’ The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition currently includes 19 countries, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, and Peru, though Mexico is not a member.

## Claims

- The United States is planning land attacks against drug traffickers in Latin America. (corroborated by 26 sources)
- Drug trafficking organizations are considered targets similar to ISIS or Al Qaeda. (corroborated by 26 sources)
- A US bombing campaign against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific has resulted in at least 215 deaths. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition is a 19-country alliance led by the United States. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- The US intends to use lethal force against drug networks rather than relying on judicial processes. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-13: US plans land attacks against drug cartels in Latin America

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to expand military operations against drug cartels in Latin America to include land attacks, treating trafficking organizations as terrorist targets.

40 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-plans-land-attacks-against-drug-cartels-in-latin-america

### 2026-08-13: United States urges Latin American nations to withdraw from ICC

Pete Hegseth urged Latin American nations to leave the ICC and announced Colombia's participation in the ‘Americas Shield’ initiative to combat drug cartels through joint military operations.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-urges-latin-american-nations-to-withdraw-from-icc

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Cite as: US-led anti-cartel military operations in Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-led-anti-cartel-military-operations-in-latin-america