Key facts
- The U.S. military is expanding its campaign against drug traffickers to land in Latin America.
- This follows a year of boat strikes that have resulted in hundreds of deaths.
- Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras have reportedly agreed to joint military operations on their soil.
- Ecuador has already launched similar missions with the U.S.
- Critics express concern over potential civilian casualties and a regional backlash against U.S. involvement.
The U.S. military is expanding its campaign against drug traffickers from sea to land in Latin America, a move that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as having the "same effect on land" as previous boat strikes. This expansion follows a year of lethal boat operations that have resulted in hundreds of deaths, with limited evidence provided for the "narco-terrorist" designation of those targeted.
According to Hegseth, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras have agreed to joint military operations on their soil, with Ecuador already engaged in similar missions. However, Guatemala's government has denied reaching such an agreement, stating it would be illegal without congressional approval. Hegseth equated drug traffickers with groups like ISIS and al-Qaida, signaling a significant shift in U.S. national security priorities in the region.
This interventionist approach, characterized by President Donald Trump's administration, aims to assert "American dominance over the Western Hemisphere." While some conservative leaders in the region are aligning with Washington's security agenda, critics like Michael Shifter and Adam Isacson warn of the risks. They point to the asymmetrical nature of the relationship, the potential for civilian casualties, and a possible backlash against U.S. military presence, which could outlast the current administration. Ecuador's experience highlights these concerns, with a New York Times investigation revealing a strike on an alleged drug lab that instead destroyed a cattle farm.
Mexico, a key transit point for drugs, remains an outlier, with President Claudia Sheinbaum resisting pressure for a U.S. military role on Mexican soil. The effectiveness of a more militarized approach in achieving lasting security gains is also questioned by observers.