Narcoterrorism

The US Southern Command launched Panamax 2026, a multinational military exercise around the Panama Canal involving Brazil and 18+ partner armies from August 3 to 13. The US also established a 'Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere' focused on combating narcoterrorism and other threats.

A New York federal judge set June 1, 2027, as the preliminary trial start date for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in a U.S. narcoterrorism case. The decision was made during a brief hearing at the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

A federal judge set a June 2027 trial date for Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores on narcoterrorism and weapons charges following their January capture by Donald Trump. Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty, and a pre-trial hearing on legal arguments, including immunity claims, is scheduled for November. The judge also approved allowing Maduro to use Venezuelan funds for his defense.

Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella announced the country will join the US-led 'Shield of the Americas' initiative on August 7. He stated Colombia will actively combat narcoterrorism, replacing what he described as a previous government's complacency.

Abelardo de la Espriella, a pro-Trump lawyer, led Colombia's presidential first-round election with 44% of the vote, surpassing Senator Iván Cepeda, who received 41%. De la Espriella, promising a harsh anti-crime strategy inspired by El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele, will face Cepeda in a June 21 runoff.

Aberaldo de la Espriella, a pro-Trump lawyer, led Colombia's presidential first round with 44% of the vote, surpassing progressive candidate Iván Cepeda. De la Espriella, known as 'El Tigre,' promised a crime crackdown modeled after El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele. A runoff is scheduled for June 21.

Pro-Trump candidate Aberaldo de la Espriella leads Colombia's presidential race with 44% of the vote, surpassing progressive senator Iván Cepeda (41%). De la Espriella, who promises a crackdown on crime modeled after El Salvador's Bukele, faces Cepeda in a June 21 runoff. Experts doubt his strategy can replicate Bukele's success due to Colombia's size and complexity.

The U.S. military struck an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean Sea on April 19, 2026, killing three people. The Trump administration's campaign against 'narcoterrorism' has resulted in 181 deaths since September 2025, despite no confirmed evidence of drug-laden vessels. Critics question the legality of the strikes, and the military has not provided proof of drug trafficking in these operations.

René Arzate-García, also known as La Rana, an alleged Tijuana plaza boss for the Sinaloa Cartel, has been charged with narcoterrorism, material support of terrorism, and drug trafficking. The charges represent serious federal offenses related to organized crime and terrorist financing.

The U.S. took custody of 37 Mexican nationals wanted for serious federal crimes including narcoterrorism, material support to foreign terrorist organizations, firearms trafficking, human smuggling, and drug trafficking offenses. These fugitives were transferred from Mexico to face charges around the United States.