Inter-American Dialogue

The U.S. military is expanding its anti-drug campaign from boat strikes in Latin America to joint land operations, a move announced by the Trump administration. Joint missions have been agreed upon with countries including Colombia and Ecuador against criminal groups on their soil. Critics warn that this widening campaign risks civilian casualties and represents an asymmetrical attempt to impose U.S. security agendas.

The U.S. military is expanding its campaign from bombing drug boats to joint operations on land across Latin America, according to the Trump administration's defense secretary. Pete Hegseth announced that Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras agreed to allow U.S. forces into their nations. Critics, however, warn that this expansion risks civilian casualties and represents an asymmetrical relationship designed for projecting power.

The U.S. military plans to expand its anti-drug operations from lethal boat strikes off Latin America's coasts to joint land campaigns. Pete Hegseth announced that allied nations including Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras are expected to allow U.S. forces to conduct joint operations against criminal groups on their soil. Critics warn that this widening military campaign risks civilian casualties and is viewed as an attempt by the U.S. to impose its agenda through power projection.