Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Trump Pledges Unmatched Military Might Against Western Hemisphere Cartels
Donald Trump said the United States should take a much tougher approach to drug cartels.
He spoke about this at the United Nations.
Trump compared the cartels to ISIS, a militant group, and said they should be stopped forcefully.
He asked friendly countries in the Americas to work with the United States.
These countries are part of a group called the Shield of the Americas.
The group may support sanctions against 24 drug-trafficking organizations.
Some governments and rights groups worry that the US approach could lead to too much military force.
Brazil’s president said Latin American countries should not be treated as America’s backyard.
President Donald Trump vowed to use unmatched US military power against threats and drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere.
He urged members of the Shield of the Americas coalition to designate 24 narcotrafficking groups as threats and impose joint sanctions.
Trump compared the cartels to ISIS and called for their members to be killed, exiled or detained as enemy combatants.
The United States has conducted dozens of strikes on suspected drug boats that rights groups say killed more than 220 people.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned against renewed US hegemony, while Brazil and Mexico remained outside the coalition.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, leaders of 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries, and critics including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and rights groups.
- What
- Trump pledged a tougher campaign against drug cartels, urged joint sanctions against 24 narcotrafficking groups, and warned that the US could use military force.
- When
- Tuesday, September 22.
- Where
- The United Nations General Assembly and UN headquarters in New York, concerning the Western Hemisphere.
- Why
- Trump said the effort was needed to counter drug cartels, transnational crime, migration and hostile foreign influence while protecting US national interests.
Supporters of tougher cartel action
Critics of expanded US intervention
Military force
Supporters of tougher cartel action
Trump argues that unmatched US military power is necessary to prevent cartels and other threats from gaining a foothold in the Western Hemisphere.
Critics of expanded US intervention
Rights groups say US strikes on suspected drug boats amount to extrajudicial killings, and critics fear a broader interventionist policy.
Regional leadership
Supporters of tougher cartel action
The Trump administration says stronger US leadership and cooperation with regional allies can make the Americas safer and counter hostile foreign adversaries.
Critics of expanded US intervention
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned of renewed hegemonic temptations and said Brazil is nobody’s backyard.
Treatment of cartels
Supporters of tougher cartel action
Trump compared drug cartels to ISIS and said their members should be killed, exiled or detained as enemy combatants.
Critics of expanded US intervention
The article reports that critics and rights groups object to the forceful approach, particularly the reported deaths from US operations.
- Coalition
- The Shield of the Americas, launched by the Trump administration in March.
- Coalition participants
- Leaders and foreign ministers from 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries attended the meeting.
- Proposed targets
- The coalition was asked to designate 24 narcotrafficking groups as threats to stability and impose sanctions.
- US military action
- The United States has carried out dozens of strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
- Reported deaths
- Rights groups say the strikes have killed more than 220 people.
- Countries outside coalition
- Brazil and Mexico have not joined the Shield of the Americas.
- US policy framing
- Trump described his regional approach as a revamped Monroe Doctrine and has called it the “Donroe Doctrine.”