War on Cartels and Latin American Military Campaigns

Trump stated in his inaugural address that he intends to take back the Panama Canal, calling it a "foolish gift" that should never have been made. Panama subsequently filed a letter to the United Nations citing articles of the U.N. charter that prohibit member states from using threats and force.

The U.S. designated six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations as part of Trump's plan to wage war on drug trafficking to address the fentanyl crisis.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she declined Trump's offer to deploy U.S. troops to target Mexican drug cartels, maintaining Mexico's sovereignty over military operations within its borders.

Trump confirmed he had asked Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum to allow U.S. military forces to enter Mexico to combat drug cartels. Sheinbaum rejected the offer, and her administration emphasized that communication with Trump remained 'very good.'

Mexico extradited 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the U.S. as part of an enforcement deal with the Trump administration aimed at cracking down on drug trafficking networks.

The Trump administration is questioning Colombia's efforts to combat cocaine production, with millions in military and development aid hanging in the balance pending Washington's assessment of the country's drug war performance.

The Trump administration claims the War Powers Law does not apply to its boat strike campaigns, arguing that a Vietnam-era law requiring congressional authorization to end deployments into hostilities after 60 days does not apply to airstrike operations.

A boat strike in the Caribbean Sea killed three people in the 15th announced strike by the administration in its campaign against vessels allegedly smuggling drugs, according to Defense Secretary Hegseth.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denied reports that the U.S. will send troops to Mexico, stating she has repeatedly rejected such offers from Trump for the U.S. to confront Mexico's drug cartels.

The US designated Colombia's Gulf Clan, the country's largest drug cartel and a militia present in at least 20 Colombian departments, as a terrorist organization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the organization as 'violent and powerful' in the designation.

Trump told Mexico to 'step up' its efforts to combat cartels even after a military operation killed drug cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' triggering waves of violent retaliatory attacks across Mexico.

Trump assembled a coalition of Latin American and Caribbean nations at his Florida summit to combat armed drug trafficking groups, asking leaders to help the US military 'eradicate' cartels. Bolivia's president made a notable political realignment toward Washington.

The U.S. boat strike campaign in Colombian and Ecuadorian waters has killed over 200 people, with residents of coastal communities expressing concerns about the impact on livelihoods and ocean-based work.