03/06/2026
U.S. Gathers Latin American Military Chiefs in Miami to Launch Offensive Against Cartels
Miami, Florida — March 5, 2026
Senior military leaders and defense officials from several Latin American countries met Thursday in Miami, at the headquarters of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), to participate in the first “Americas Counter Cartel Conference,” a strategic meeting focused on the regional fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.
The conference was led by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, alongside the commander of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Francis Donovan, and included military representatives from more than a dozen allied countries across the hemisphere.
The goal of the meeting is to coordinate a more aggressive regional strategy against drug cartels, which Washington considers a direct threat to the security of the Western Hemisphere.
“The United States will act if necessary”
During his speech at the Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Hegseth warned that the region is facing a critical moment due to the growing power of criminal organizations.
“The United States is prepared to confront these threats and go on the offensive — even alone if necessary,” the defense secretary told the military leaders gathered at the conference.
Hegseth also criticized traditional strategies that rely solely on the justice system and argued that the situation requires a stronger response.
“Business as usual will no longer work. We will restore deterrence and work together to combat the cartels,” he said.
Cartels compared to terrorist organizations
Stephen Miller, White House national security adviser, also participated in the conference and defended a more militarized strategy against drug trafficking.
“After decades of efforts, we have learned there is no criminal justice solution to the cartel problem,” Miller said.
“These organizations can only be defeated with military power.”
The official also compared drug cartels to international terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda, arguing that they should be confronted with the same level of force.
Part of a new regional strategy
The meeting is part of the security strategy promoted by the administration of President Donald Trump, which has increased the use of military forces in the fight against drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Latin America.
In recent months, the United States has:
• expanded naval operations against drug trafficking in the Caribbean
• participated in joint operations with Ecuador against criminal networks
• designated several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations
According to analysts, the conference also aims to prepare the groundwork for a regional political summit that President Trump will hold this weekend with Latin American leaders in South Florida.
