Militarization of the Americas: Cartels, Cuba, and Global War, Donald Trump's New Doctrine

WASHINGTON.— Donald Trump's announcement of a military coalition aimed at eradicating cartels in Latin America marks a brutal turning point in U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere. Behind the spectacular name "Shield of the Americas," launched during a summit in Doral, Florida, a strategy is emerging that blends security, a show of force, and geopolitical ambition. Gathered around the American president, a dozen Latin American leaders, including Javier Milei, Luis Abinader, and Nayib Bukele, listened to a speech with the accents of a security crusade. Washington's message is clear: drug cartels will no longer be fought solely by police or judicial means, but also by military power. Missiles, targeted strikes, spectacular operations—the American president's rhetoric suggests an unprecedented militarization of the fight against drug trafficking throughout the region. But beyond the cartels, a broader vision is emerging: an assertive policy of force. In the same speech, Donald Trump launched multiple attacks against Cuba, stating that the island "is living its last moments." A declaration that resonates as a direct political threat against the Havana regime, already weakened by a deep economic and social crisis. This stance is part of a now familiar logic: using maximum pressure—economic, diplomatic, or military—to reshape the political balance of the continent. The Venezuelan precedent is an illustration of this. The American administration succeeded, in a spectacular operation, in capturing the leader Nicolás Maduro before opening pragmatic negotiations with former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, particularly on the strategic issue of oil. Washington thus demonstrates that it can combine force and political realism when its energy or security interests are at stake. The Shadow of War with Iran This new diplomatic and military offensive comes as the United States is engaged in an armed conflict against Iran in the Middle East. Officially, these two fronts have no connection. But the method is similar: a show of power, regional alliances, and a strategy of encircling adversaries. After his speech in Florida, Donald Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base to welcome the remains of the first American soldiers killed in this war, a brutal reminder that America is engaged in a global confrontation. At the same time, for Latin American countries, the announced coalition raises a fundamental question: does the fight against cartels justify a massive militarization of the region? While some governments, seduced by Washington's security discourse, see an opportunity to strengthen their fight against gangs and drug trafficking, others fear a loss of sovereignty and direct U.S. intervention in their internal affairs. For the history of the continent reminds us that each time Washington brandishes the banner of security, the regional political balance can be profoundly disrupted. A New Continental Doctrine With the "Shield of the Americas," Donald Trump seems to want to redefine the strategic doctrine of the United States in the Western Hemisphere: less traditional diplomacy, more military power, and ideological coalitions. In a world already shaken by geopolitical tensions, this strategy could transform Latin America into a new theater of strategic confrontation. And it is necessary, up to now, to ask a question that many still avoid: is the war against cartels truly a security operation... or the beginning of a new era of American interventionism on the continent? Jean Mapou / Le Relief