Trump asks Shield of the Americas to designate cartels as common threats and promises to use military force in the Western Hemisphere
Quick Look
US President Donald Trump called on the UN General Assembly for members of the Shield of the Americas to formally designate drug trafficking factions as common threats to stability and apply sanctions, in addition to promising to use US military power to extinguish external interference in the Western Hemisphere, aligning with the so-called Donroe Doctrine, an adaptation of the Monroe Doctrine.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Shield of the Americas is a coalition to combat drug cartels launched by the Trump administration that brings together aligned governments in Latin America, such as Argentina, Chile and El Salvador. The Donroe Doctrine is a pun that mixes Donald with Monroe, referring to the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, which seeks to maintain the Americas as an area of influence for the USA.
US President Donald Trump speaks at the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters, in New York City, USA, on September 22, 2026 — Photo: Brendan McDermid/Reuters
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (22) asked all members of the Shield of the Americas to formally designate drug trafficking factions as "common threats to stability" and apply sanctions.
"Shield of the Americas" is a coalition to combat drug cartels launched by the Trump administration that brings together aligned governments in Latin America, such as Argentina, Chile and El Salvador.
Earlier on Tuesday, in his speech to the UN General Assembly, Trump promised to end what he called "external interference" in the Western Hemisphere and said he could use US military power to do so.
The speech is in line with the so-called "Donroe Doctrine" that has marked US foreign policy in Trump's second term.
"Donroe", a pun that mixes Donald with Monroe, is a reference to the Monroe Doctrine, established in the 19th century, which seeks to maintain the Americas as an area of influence — or "backyard" — of the USA, preventing other powers from deepening relations with countries on the continent.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Members of the Shield of the Americas will formally designate drug trafficking factions as common threats to stability in the coming weeks.
Likely · Within weeks
The US will increase diplomatic and potentially military pressure on Western Hemisphere nations that resist the Donroe Doctrine.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- Which Shield of the Americas countries will accept the request to designate cartels as common threats?
- What specific sanctions will be applied to drug trafficking factions?
- Under what circumstances would Trump authorize the use of military force in the Western Hemisphere?
- How will non-aligned Latin American countries react to pressure to adhere to the Donroe Doctrine?
