Guatemala is looking to partner with the U.S. military to carry out operations targeting cartels in the country.
“The Government of Guatemala desires to lead, with U.S. assistance, active military operations to combat U.S.-designated terrorist organizations (DTOs) within Guatemala,” the Guatemalan government said in a statement on Thursday. “There is no agreement that authorizes foreign military operations by any country on national territory.”
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The government’s announcement came after the New York Times reported on Thursday that the two sides made an agreement to carry out joint strikes and operations to confront cartels.
The Trump administration has made a concerted effort to increase the military and economic pressure on cartels throughout Central America and South America, making it a dominant foreign policy objective throughout the administration’s first year and a half in power.
This broader effort includes a similar agreement with Ecuador, more than 50 fatal strikes on alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean, and the capture of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
During President Donald Trump’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, “We are now partnering with [Venezuela], hopefully, even on the counter-cartel mission as we secure our hemisphere.”
A spokesperson for U.S. Southern Command told the Washington Examiner Maduro’s removal “created new opportunities for cooperation,” but declined to provide more details on possible U.S.-Venezuela military missions as referenced by Hegseth.
“U.S. Southern Command continues to work closely with regional partners to counter transnational criminal organizations and disrupt narco-terrorist networks across the hemisphere. While we do not discuss specific operational details or partner nation contributions, we remain committed to collaborative efforts that enhance regional security and stability,” the spokesperson said.
SOUTHCOM announced on March 3 that U.S. and Ecuadorian forces launched operations against designated terrorist organizations in Ecuador, a day after Cmdr. Francis Donovan met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and senior defense officials.
Days after those operations in Ecuador, President Donald Trump announced the newly dubbed “Americas Counter Cartel Coalition,” which includes more than a dozen countries across the Americas and is aimed at curbing cartel activity.
“We won’t speculate on future operations or discuss matters of operational security,” acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez told the Washington Examiner.
“The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition is a voluntary hemispheric effort that unites 18 partners across the Western Hemisphere, reflecting a shared commitment to confront narco-terrorist networks and other security threats that destabilize our shared neighborhood,” Valdez continued. “The Department of War works with partners across the hemisphere to strengthen burden sharing and collective action through partner-led, deterrence-focused operations. Under Secretary Hegseth’s leadership, the Department will continue working with trusted partners to defend the Homeland and secure the Western Hemisphere.”
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Despite Ecuador and Guatemala’s willingness to partner with the United States and allow American personnel to carry out operations on their soil, Mexico has refused thus far. Last August, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “The United States is not going to come to Mexico with their military,” adding, “We cooperate, we collaborate, but there will be no invasion. It’s off the table, absolutely off the table.”
The Trump administration is also currently trying to economically squeeze the Cuban regime, and they escalated that effort earlier this month with the indictment of former President Raul Castro.
