US Intensifies Military Action in Latin America

The Trump administration has doubled down on its military efforts in Latin America, with a focus on combating alleged criminal networks and drug cartels. At the inaugural "Americas Counter Cartel Conference", White House security adviser Stephen Miller stated that the US would not cede any territory in the hemisphere to its enemies or adversaries. Miller emphasized that the US would use "hard power, military power, lethal force" to protect and defend the American homeland.

The administration's approach has been criticized for its potential human rights and legal implications. The US has launched aerial strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in an estimated 150 known deaths. The identities of the victims have not been released, with several family members claiming that fishermen and informal workers were among those targeted. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth defended the approach, stating that it was meant to "establish deterrence" and that the pause in attacks in February was evidence of the strategy's success.

The Trump administration's actions in Latin America have been framed as part of a broader effort to exert US dominance in the region. The administration has referenced the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, which sought to establish a US sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere. The US has also launched a pressure campaign against Cuba and has pursued joint operations with conservative governments in the region.