President Donald Trump convened a regional summit at his Florida golf resort on Saturday to unveil the "Shield of the Americas," a new military-focused coalition of twelve Latin American leaders aimed at crushing drug cartels across the hemisphere Jamaica Gleaner, The Guardian - Business, Barbadostoday.
Why it matters: The new initiative seeks to project American strength and security priorities in the Western Hemisphere while the administration simultaneously navigates major military conflicts in the Middle East Jamaica Gleaner, Barbadostoday.
- Twelve Latin American leaders attended the Miami-area summit, committing to closer regional security cooperation The Guardian - Business, Barbadostoday.
- Trump likened the new anti-cartel effort to the historical international coalition formed to eradicate ISIS in the Middle East The Guardian - Business, Barbadostoday.
- The U.S. president suggested that Washington could provide advanced missiles to partner nations if they formally request them Stabroek News.
Driving the news: During the gathering at Trump National Doral Miami, the U.S. president signed an official proclamation formally launching the coalition and appointed former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as the special envoy for the initiative Stabroeknews, The Guardian - Business, Barbadostoday.
- Participating heads of state included leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago Barbadostoday.
- Notable regional powers Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia were absent from the summit proceedings Barbadostoday.
- Trump utilized the event to criticize regional governments for historically permitting criminal gangs to seize territorial control Stabroeknews.
What they're saying: Trump pulled no punches during the summit discussions, urging participating officials to unleash their respective armed forces against transnational trafficking organizations France24, Barbadostoday.
- "The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries," Trump told the assembled leaders Barbadostoday.
- "We have to use our military. You have to use your military," the U.S. president added, emphasizing the need for direct combat operations Barbadostoday.
- During the event, Trump also made light of language barriers, remarking to international officials that he simply did not have the time to learn Spanish Stabroeknews.
Catch up quick: The high-profile regional summit follows a series of aggressive foreign policy maneuvers by the current U.S. administration over the preceding months Barbadostoday, Trinidadtribune.
- Just two months prior, U.S. forces carried out an operation to capture Venezuela's then-president Nicolás Maduro and bring him to the United States on drug charges Barbadostoday.
- The summit also comes just one week after the United States and Israel launched a sweeping joint military campaign against Iran Trinidadtribune.
- Trump's itinerary following the Miami meeting included a swift departure for Delaware to witness the dignified transfer of U.S. troops killed in a recent drone strike in Kuwait Trinidadtribune.
Between the lines: The White House framed the newly formed coalition as a vital counterweight designed to push back against years of expanding Chinese economic and political influence in Latin America The Guardian - Business, Trinidadtribune.
- Trump argued that previous administrations had grown overly distracted by conflicts in other global theaters while neglecting security in America's immediate geographic backyard Trinidadtribune.
- The administration is attempting to demonstrate a renewed foreign policy dedication to the Western Hemisphere despite being consumed by multiple international crises Barbadostoday, Trinidadtribune.
Threat level: The coalition targets transnational drug trafficking organizations and violent gangs that the White House characterized as an unacceptable menace to regional stability France24, Barbadostoday.
- Cartels continue to operate heavily armed networks capable of challenging state authority across multiple territories in Central and South America Stabroeknews, France24.
- The inclusion of military options signifies a sharp escalation from traditional law enforcement cooperation toward direct tactical engagements France24, Barbadostoday.