Hegseth urges Latin American allies to join ‘offense’ against cartels

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth urged Latin American countries to adopt a more aggressive approach against drug cartels and warned the Trump administration may act unilaterally if they do not. He addressed defence leaders aligned with Donald Trump at US Southern Command in Miami during the 2026 Americas Counter Cartel Conference, speaking as US intervention in the region has escalated and culminated in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro — described as the first US ground military attack on a South American country.

Hegseth told attendees, "America is prepared to take on these threats and go on offence alone if necessary. However, it is our preference, and it is the goal of this conference, that in the interest of this neighbourhood, we all do it together with you." Representatives from 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries attended, including delegations from Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, El Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, while Colombia, Mexico and Brazil were absent.

United States, Miami

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