Rubio: Latin America 'full' of U.S. allies; claims Trump combatted cartels with military power

Senator Marco Rubio declared that Latin America is predominantly composed of allies aligned with the United States, characterizing this as a significant achievement. He noted exceptions, including Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, while also mentioning Brazil and the current Colombian government as presenting certain challenges.

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In general terms, it is now a region full of allies of the United States, of leaders sympathetic to the United States and of a favorable orientation towards the United States.

Rubio emphasized that the region now boasts a "coalition of friendly countries" collaborating on critical security matters, referencing the "Shield of the Americas" initiative. This alliance, originally promoted by former President Donald Trump, aims to combat drug trafficking and has garnered support from right-leaning governments across the continent.

Rubio expressed satisfaction with this development, viewing it as a correction after what he described as 20 years of U.S. "abandonment" in the region, a period he believes China exploited to increase its influence. He stated that every government in the hemisphere has been made aware that the U.S. can be either their "best friend or their most feared enemy."

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We have made it clear to every government in this hemisphere that the United States can be their best friend, or their most feared enemy. The choice is theirs.

Furthermore, Rubio asserted that the Trump administration "regained control of our hemisphere" by confronting organizations like MS-13 and the Tren de Aragua. He claimed that these cartels were treated as terrorist organizations and that a transcontinental coalition was formed to dismantle them, not just through rhetoric but through decisive military action against drug smuggling operations.

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and created a transcontinental coalition to defeat and dismantle them. Not just with words, but with actions. The cartel boats carrying their poison to our borders did not meet strongly worded letters, but the full military might of the United States.