TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Thursday met with representatives of several Latin American countries to discuss US security goals, saying that drug cartels must be targeted more aggressively.
The meeting comes as the Trump administration has pledged a renewed focus on Latin America, which it has described as the "Trump Corollary" to the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which back then sought to ban European incursions in the Americas.
The Pentagon-dubbed "Americas Counter Cartel Conference," was attended by representatives from Argentina, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, along with over a dozen conservative governments closely aligned with President Donald Trump.
Notably, some of the region's most influential nations like Colombia, Brazil and Mexico did not send delegations to the summit. Those three countries have left-leaning governments.
The gathering took place at the US Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida.
Hegseth warned that "business as usual will not stand," pledging US support to combat cartels, restore deterrence and "make the Americas great again."
"America is prepared to take on these threats and go on the offense alone if necessary," Hegseth warned.
He also added that the US and Latin American countries shared a Christian heritage that is allegedly at stake, blaming decades of inaction and a purely law enforcement approach to fighting organized crime and terrorist networks in the Western Hemisphere.
White House pushes for 'military power'
Attendees cheered as the US promised to make available resources to Southern Command, which oversees US forces in Latin America, after years of complaints over a lack of resources.
White House Homeland Security advisor and close Trump aide, Stephen Miller, attended the gathering and told attendees that drug cartels can only be defeated with military force.
"We have learned after decades of effort that there is not a criminal justice solution to the cartel problem," Miller said.
"The reason why this is a conference with military leadership and not a conference of lawyers is because these organizations can only be defeated with military power," he added.
Miller said there was no difference between terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda or the "Islamic State" and drug cartels, saying they "should be treated just as brutally and just as ruthlessly as we treat those organizations."
"The human rights that we are going to protect are not those of the savages that rape, torture and murder but those of the average citizens," he added.
Read: Will 'El Mencho's' Death Trigger a New Drug War in Mexico?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
US Offers US$10 Million Reward for Information on Sinaloa Cartel Bosses
6 hari lalu
The United States offers a reward of up to $10 million or around Rp 167.8 billion for information leading to the capture of Sinaloa Cartel leaders.
Will 'El Mencho's' Death Trigger a New Drug War in Mexico?
8 hari lalu
The killing of "El Mencho" signals the apparent end of Mexico's truce with drug cartels. Who was he, and what is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel?
Who Was El Mencho, the Mexican Drug Lord Killed in a US-Backed Raid?
8 hari lalu
Following El Mencho's death, violence erupted in various regions of Mexico. Who was he, and what was he known for?
Mexican Cartels Among Networks Supplying Drugs to Indonesia
9 hari lalu
BNN unveils the involvement of the Mexican cartel as one of the networks previously supplying drugs in Indonesia.
After El Mencho's Death, Lawmaker: Protect Indonesians in Mexico
9 hari lalu
The death of El Mencho has sparked an escalation of violence in several areas in Jalisco. There are 45 Indonesian citizens living there.
Indonesia Uncovers Drug Supply Chain Linked to Mexican Cartels
9 hari lalu
BNN has uncovered drug trafficking routes linking Mexican cartels to Indonesia, saying they operate with support from local networks.
El Mencho Killed: What to Know About Mexico's Most-Wanted Cartel Leader
10 hari lalu
The Mexican government has reportedly killed Nemesio Rubn Oseguera Cervantes, famously known as "El Mencho", the longtime leader of the CJNG Cartel.
Mexican Army Kills Drug Lord Oseguera 'El Mencho'
11 hari lalu
The Mexican army on Sunday killed Mexican drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."
Conflict in the Caribbean: How Far Will Trump Go?
1 November 2025
The US has dispatched so many massive warships to the Caribbean that observers are questioning whether this is just about combating drug smuggling.
U.S. Says Attacks on Suspected Drug Boats Will Happen Again
4 September 2025
President Donald Trump has justified the U.S. military's lethal strike on a boat allegedly owned by a Venezuelan gang.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5357081/original/011599400_1758518426-expressive-young-girl-posing.jpg)
