US expands Latin America military campaign

The Trump administration is expanding its military campaign against drug trafficking in Latin America from naval strikes to joint land operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced during a visit to Panama that Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras had agreed to allow US forces to conduct joint operations on their soil, following Ecuador's earlier agreement in March. Guatemala has denied reaching such an agreement. The campaign has already killed over 200 people in more than 60 boat strikes over the past year. The administration has designated 20 Latin American criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations, sent forces into Venezuela to capture its president, and involved CIA agents in drug lab busts in Mexico. In Colombia, President Abelardo de la Espriella has requested greater US military involvement, particularly against the National Liberation Army (ELN). Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has resisted US military presence on Mexican soil. Critics warn of civilian casualties and sovereignty concerns, while analysts question the long-term effectiveness of a militarized approach.