FIRST ON FOX: The U.S. is rolling out a comprehensive security initiative to dismantle transnational criminal networks and challenge the increasing influence of geopolitical competitors in Latin America, shared Joseph M. Humire, acting assistant secretary of War for Homeland Defense and Americas Security Affairs.

At the heart of this strategy is the “Shield of the Americas,” a complex program that aims to unify military, intelligence, and law enforcement resources among allied countries throughout the Western Hemisphere.

“The Shield of the Americas is a presidential framework to forge a regional alliance. The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition is part of this framework, yet it extends beyond it. Currently, the coalition includes 18 members, while the Shield comprises 13 nations,” Humire explained.

President Donald Trump addressed the “Shield of the Americas” Summit at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida, on March 7, 2026. (SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

“President Trump’s proclamation on March 7 highlighted the coalition’s mission, emphasizing that Latin American partners should engage in operations targeting cartel infrastructure and assets within their sovereign lands, including maritime territories,” Humire elaborated.

Humire noted, “Previously, our role was primarily about training and building capacities for our allies to tackle cartels. The current administration, however, is taking a more hands-on approach by working alongside our partners against common threats. In certain instances, such as Ecuador, we’ve received authorization from President Daniel Noboa to not only advise and assist but also accompany military forces during counter-narcotic and counter-terror operations.”

A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire in Cointzio, Michoacán state, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, after the death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” (AP Photo/Armando Solis)

Humire says, “The second difference to previous administrations is that we are leaning in on deterrence-focused operations, which means we are encouraging our partners to use hard power to send a signal to the cartels to complement interdiction. We are still seizing narcotics. We’re still arresting major cartel members. We are also now destroying cartel infrastructure and, in some cases, taking out cartel members. That’s something that is new.”

Mexico

“Mexico is not a member of the coalition. We are encouraged by Mexico’s recent operation against El Mencho. That was an offensive operation against a high-value individual tied to a major cartel. We look forward to Mexico becoming a member in the future. Our relationship with Mexico is very strong military-wise. We have done a lot of training and capacity building with Mexico. But as of today, we still don’t have U.S. forces accompanying Mexico inside the sovereign territory of the country,” he said.

“Mexico, like many countries, saw what happened in Venezuela and now understand that there’s a partner of preference inside the Western Hemisphere and in the world, which is the United States, not China, Russia or Iran.”

Pentagon actions under this framework include the deployment of additional surveillance assets, enhanced maritime patrol operations, and the integration of cyber capabilities to track and disrupt illicit networks. It has also prioritized capacity-building efforts to strengthen partner nations’ ability to sustain long-term counter-cartel operations.

President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hold their countries’ cards during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Dec. 5, 2025. (Stephanie Scarbrough, Pool/AP Photo)

Humire continued, “This is a historic effort to put the Western Hemisphere as a top regional priority for U.S. national security in ways we have never done before. President Trump has made a monumental shift in U.S. foreign policy and national security.”

Beyond cartel activity, the initiative reflects growing concern over the influence of China, Russia and Iran in the region.

Expanding Chinese infrastructure investments with dual-use potential, Iranian-linked networks tied to illicit finance and proxy activities and Russian disinformation campaigns are key threats to regional stability.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Center-R) meets with Paraguay’s Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano (Center-L) at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 15, 2025 as Paraguay’s Minister of Defense General Óscar Luís González Cañete (L) and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Americas Security Affairs Joseph Humire (R) look on. (Jim Watson/ AFP via Getty Images)

To counter these efforts, the Pentagon has increased intelligence cooperation with allied governments, expanded joint cybersecurity initiatives, and supported efforts to secure critical infrastructure from foreign control or exploitation. Military-to-military engagements have also been scaled up to reinforce alignment with U.S. strategic priorities.

Panama

“Since Secretary Hegseth and Secretary Rubio went to Panama last year, China has had significantly less influence inside that country. They lost access to the ports and are no longer advancing their investments,” Humire said.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez and Commander of the U.S. Southern Command Adm. Alvin Holsey pose during a tour of the Miraflores Locks, in Panama City, Panama, April 8, 2025. (Aris Martinez/Reuters)

“China also had a lot of influence over the Panamanian government. That influence is no more. Panama has withdrawn from the Belt and Road Initiative, becoming the first country in Latin America to do so. From the Department of War, we have partnered with Panama to build up an enduring presence on the Panama Canal which includes a jungle operations school on the Atlantic side, and a joint security operation group on the Pacific side. This is all to advance security of the Panama Canal.”

Venezuela

Humire continued, “The stabilization efforts in Venezuela are going well. Despite Maduro’s very close relationship with Iran, China and Russia, this was not enough to defend him. In the aftermath of Operation Absolute Resolve, we have seen tension among these different external actors, because while they had levels of cooperation, they don’t have the same exact interests.”

Captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appear with their attorneys Barry Pollack and Mark Donnelly at their arraignment in a federal court in New York City on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Jane Rosenberg)

“This is evidenced by the fact that before, during and after Operation Absolute Resolve, neither Russia, China, or Iran, or even Cuba for that matter, were able to do anything to keep Nicolas Maduro in power. They might have sent some equipment and armament, but that didn’t defend Maduro from that operation, and the Cuban security that was with him wasn’t able to defend him. Russia, China, Iran or Cuba could not stop a very successful U.S. military action in support of U.S. law enforcement.”

“The message to all the countries in Latin America, and frankly the world, is that they need to think twice when they partner with Russia, China or Iran because that partnership does not produce results,” Humire said.

Cuba

As part of its broader hemispheric strategy, the administration is also recalibrating its policy toward Cuba, viewing the island as a persistent security concern due to its ties with U.S. adversaries.

Protesters gather outside a Communist Party headquarters in Morón, Cuba, as a fire burns in the street during overnight unrest. Video obtained by Fox News Digital appeared to show demonstrators attempting to set fire to the building amid protests linked to widespread blackouts. (Reuters)

“The White House is leading conversations with Cuba in the aftermath of Venezuela. Cuba was reliant on subsidized oil from Venezuela, in exchange for security services. But those security services didn’t do much for Venezuela when it mattered, so I believe there is a bit of a friction between the Cuban and Venezuelan governments,” he said.

“The Western Hemisphere is our neighborhood; it is intricately tied to U.S. homeland defense. Hemispheric defense is and always has been a key part of U.S. homeland defense. Acknowledging this is why the Western Hemisphere is now a top priority for the Trump administration and especially for the Department of War, as reflected by official policy in the 2025 National Security Strategy and 2026 National Defense Strategy,” Humire told Fox News Digital.