US military anti-drug campaign in Latin America

The United States is expanding its military campaign against drug trafficking organizations in Latin America, shifting from maritime strikes to land-based operations. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated the intention to target criminal groups “wherever they traffic drugs” or threaten American interests.

This strategy involves the Coalition Against the Americas' Cartels (A3C), a 19-nation group that recently added Colombia. While Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has authorized joint operations, other regional responses have been mixed. Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo has denied agreeing to allow joint operations, noting the necessity of congressional approval, and Brazil has rejected the U.S. designation of its criminal groups as terrorist organizations, calling it an attempt at domestic intervention.

The escalation follows more than 60 attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have reportedly killed hundreds of people since January 2025. During a military drill in Panama, Hegseth announced that the administration is seeking to conduct joint military operations on the soil of allied nations, citing agreements with Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras. However, the conflicting reports regarding Guatemala’s consent and the silence from officials in Colombia and Honduras highlight ongoing diplomatic friction. The shift has drawn criticism regarding civilian casualties, legalities, and regional sovereignty.