What is known about the sending of US troops to Latin America to combat drug trafficking

The United States government is expanding its military presence in Latin America under the justification of reinforcing the fight against drug trafficking.

According to a report by The New York Times published on Wednesday (14), the Pentagon will send hundreds of soldiers to the region, in an initiative that marks a new stage in President Donald Trump's policy towards Latin American countries.

According to the newspaper, the first members of a battalion of around 600 soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division of the American Army – based in Fort Drum, New York – have already begun to be transferred to a new jungle training center in Panama. Later, they are expected to participate in joint exercises and training with security forces from Colombia and Honduras.

What will be the troops' mission?

Officially, the objective is to strengthen military cooperation with countries in the region to combat organizations involved in drug trafficking. According to authorities interviewed by the newspaper on condition of anonymity, part of the military may provide support to American special forces that already advise operations carried out by local armies against groups accused of drug trafficking.

The expansion of the military presence also includes the transfer of MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drones from Africa to Colombia and Ecuador, in addition to the creation of a new command structure for operations in the Western Hemisphere based in Miami, where hundreds of soldiers are expected to be transferred. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also created a specific office to oversee anti-cartel activities.

Change of strategy

The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to pressure Latin American governments to intensify military offensives against criminal organizations and accept joint operations with the United States.

According to General Francis L. Donovan, military commander responsible for much of Latin America, the US intends to expand its actions beyond the maritime operations currently carried out against vessels suspected of transporting drugs. The objective would be to expand operations to land areas as well.

The White House has sought to build a regional coalition against the cartels. According to the newspaper, 19 countries participate in the US-led alliance, called Shield of the Americas, although only a few have officially accepted joint operations in their territories, including Colombia and Honduras.

Pete Hegseth had stated, during a visit to Panama in August, that Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras had agreed to allow the US to carry out joint military operations against criminal groups in their territories, although Guatemala denied the existence of such an agreement.

Fears in the region

The prospect of a more robust American military presence raises concerns in parts of Latin America. The region has a long history of US interventions throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, often seen by governments and sectors of society as violations of national sovereignty.

Human rights organizations also express concern about the possibility of an increase in civilian casualties. Experts cited by the newspaper state that the elimination of members of criminal groups usually has a limited impact on the flow of drugs, as leaders can be quickly replaced.

Another criticism concerns the effectiveness of the strategy. The new working group created by the Pentagon continues a campaign that began about a year ago in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific.

According to the American government, this campaign resulted in 71 attacks against suspected drug trafficking vessels and the deaths of 239 people who – Washington claims, without presenting evidence – were trafficking drugs. Experts, however, say the operations have had little effect on the availability of cocaine in the United States.

Questions about the objectives

The New York Times report states that members of the American government themselves question the lack of a clear definition of the operation's objectives.

There are fears that possible attacks against US military personnel will lead to an escalation of American involvement in the region, at a time when the country's Armed Forces are already facing strong pressure due to other military commitments abroad, such as the war against Iran.

For now, the deployment of troops is temporary. However, American officials interviewed by the newspaper admit that these rotations could become a permanent component of the United States military presence in Latin America.