Dismay as Hegseth urges Latin American allies to join ‘offense’ against cartels
Critics sceptical Pentagon chief’s plan for increased military force – amid rising US intervention – will stop drug gangsPete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, has urged Latin American countries to adopt a more aggressive approach against drug cartels, warning that the Trump administration...
<p>Critics sceptical Pentagon chief’s plan for increased military force – amid rising US intervention – will stop drug gangs</p><p>Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, has urged Latin American countries to adopt a more aggressive approach against drug cartels, warning that the Trump administration may otherwise act unilaterally in the region.</p><p>Hegseth’s remarks come in a context of escalating US intervention in the region, both militarily and in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/09/honduras-president-alleges-electoral-coup-under-way-amid-trump-interference">elections</a>, which culminated in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro – the first US ground military attack on a South American country.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/05/hegseth-latin-america-drug-cartels">Continue reading...</a>
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