Doral, FL – President Donald Trump urged leaders from several Latin American nations to increase cooperation in the fight against drug cartels during a regional summit focused on security and organized crime.
The remarks were made during the Shield of the Americas summit held at Trump National Doral Miami, where government representatives gathered to discuss strategies aimed at reducing cartel influence across the Western Hemisphere.
Officials from multiple countries attended the meeting to address issues including drug trafficking, organized crime, and regional security coordination.
Ryan Gorman and Dana McKay cover this story and more on The Ryan Gorman Show:
During the summit, Trump said stronger partnerships between countries in the Americas are necessary to confront criminal organizations that operate across international borders.
He encouraged participating nations to consider using all available resources to disrupt cartel networks, including increased coordination between law enforcement agencies and, in some cases, military involvement.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, the initiative is part of a broader effort to expand regional cooperation against transnational criminal groups.
The program, known as the Shield of the Americas, focuses on intelligence sharing, joint enforcement efforts, and coordinated strategies designed to weaken cartel operations.
Leaders and representatives from several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean participated in the summit.
Officials from nations including Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, and El Salvador attended the meeting.
Some larger regional countries such as Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia were not part of the initial gathering.
In addition to cartel activity, participants also discussed related issues including illegal migration, financial crimes tied to trafficking networks, and the broader impact of organized crime on regional stability.
Officials said continued cooperation will be necessary to address these challenges.