US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that his country
is prepared to undertake targeted military operations against drug trafficking
organizations operating in Latin America, even in scenarios where there is no
direct support from governments in the region.
During a security conference held in Miami, the official
explained that the United States' priority is to collaborate with the national
authorities of each country affected by organized crime. However, he made it
clear that Washington does not rule out acting unilaterally if it considers
that the threats posed by the cartels represent a significant risk to US
security.
According to Hegseth, criminal organizations dedicated to
drug trafficking have expanded their operational capacity in various parts of
the continent, which necessitates rethinking the traditional strategies used to
combat them.
His statements reflect a possible shift in US security
policy regarding drug trafficking. While in the past the emphasis was primarily
on police cooperation, intelligence, and bilateral agreements, the possibility
of implementing more militarized measures to weaken the cartels is now being
considered.
This approach has generated debate among analysts and
regional authorities, as such a strategy could have diplomatic and sovereignty
implications for several Latin American countries. Even so, U.S. officials
insist that the priority will remain collaboration with local governments to
combat organized crime and drug trafficking, which affects the entire region.