US plans land attacks against drug cartels in Latin America, says Defense Secretary Hegseth

The United States is preparing to launch land attacks against drug traffickers in Latin America, broadening its existing airstrike operations against suspected drug boats in international waters. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced these plans in Panama, indicating a significant escalation in the fight against transnational criminal organizations.

“

The United States will prevent all shipping from entering or exiting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz for "as long as it takes"

These planned ground operations are on the agenda for an alliance of 19 countries, spearheaded by the US, which aims to expand its reach to wherever drug gangs operate. Hegseth expressed the US's intention to deploy forces alongside allies, replicating the "operational capability" seen in previous strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. "It will be the same effect on land," he stated, adding that the US is collaborating with countries like Ecuador and Colombia to "bring the fight to the DTOs on land."

“

It will be the “same effect on land, and so we’re working with Ecuador, we’re working with Colombia, we’re working with partners to bring the fight to the DTOs on land,”

Hegseth, speaking in the Panamanian jungle, emphasized that drug trafficking organizations are considered legitimate targets, akin to terrorist groups. "Anywhere you traffic drugs or you threaten the American people or our partners, you are a target just like ISIS or Al Qaeda," he declared. The "Americans Counter Cartel Coalition" includes right-wing governments from nations such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Peru. Notably, Mexico, despite being home to powerful cartels, is not part of this alliance due to its left-leaning government.

“

Anywhere you traffic drugs or you threaten the American people or our partners, you are a target just like ISIS or Al Qaeda,”

Hegseth defended the prior attacks on alleged drug boats, which have drawn criticism from legal experts and human rights organizations who warn they could amount to extrajudicial executions. "We’re going to close with and destroy these networks with every capability of the American government," he vowed, signaling a determined and aggressive approach to combating drug trafficking in the region.

“

We’re going to close with and destroy these networks with every capability of the American government,”