The United States is preparing to expand its military campaign against drug cartels beyond maritime operations, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicating that future counter-narcotics missions could include land-based operations conducted in partnership with governments across Latin America.
The announcement signals a significant evolution in Washington’s regional security strategy as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to dismantle transnational criminal organizations it has designated as terrorist groups.
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Speaking during the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition Forum in Panama, Hegseth said participating nations are discussing expanding military operations to target drug trafficking networks wherever they operate, including on land.
The coalition, which now includes 19 countries, was established to strengthen regional cooperation against narcotics trafficking, organized crime and what U.S. officials describe as “narco-terrorist” organizations.
The proposed expansion follows nearly a year of U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Those operations have relied primarily on naval and aerial assets to intercept or strike boats allegedly linked to criminal organizations transporting narcotics toward North America.
Hegseth said the next phase of the campaign would depend on cooperation with partner governments, stressing that any land operations would be carried out with the consent and participation of the countries involved.
One of the most significant developments announced during the forum was Colombia’s decision to join the U.S.-led coalition following the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella. According to Hegseth, the new Colombian administration has requested U.S. collaboration in joint military operations aimed at dismantling armed groups and drug-trafficking networks operating within the country.
The expanded strategy reflects a broader shift in U.S. policy that increasingly treats major drug cartels as terrorist organizations rather than solely criminal enterprises. Washington argues that the designation provides greater flexibility to employ military capabilities alongside traditional law enforcement tools in combating transnational crime.
Supporters of the initiative contend that stronger regional military cooperation is necessary to confront criminal organizations that have become increasingly sophisticated, well-armed and transnational in their operations. Drug trafficking networks continue to fuel violence, corruption and instability across parts of Latin America and the Caribbean while supplying illicit narcotics to international markets.
However, the strategy has also generated criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates. Previous U.S. military strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels have drawn scrutiny over their legality under international law, with some critics questioning whether the operations amount to excessive use of force and calling for greater accountability.
During the Panama meeting, Hegseth defended the operations as lawful under the laws of armed conflict and urged regional allies to reject the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, arguing that sovereign nations should retain authority over their own security decisions.
The discussions also come amid growing concerns over the influence of transnational criminal organizations throughout the hemisphere. Beyond drug trafficking, many cartels are increasingly linked to human smuggling, weapons trafficking, money laundering and other forms of organized crime that threaten regional security and economic stability.
For Caribbean and Latin American governments, the proposed expansion presents both opportunities and challenges. While enhanced military cooperation could strengthen efforts to dismantle powerful criminal networks, it also raises important questions about sovereignty, rules of engagement and the long-term role of foreign military forces in domestic security operations.
As coalition members continue to refine the next phase of the initiative, the proposed shift to land-based operations could mark one of the most significant changes in hemispheric counter-narcotics policy in decades, further deepening U.S. security engagement across the region.
