President Donald Trump signed on Saturday the creation of the 'Shield of the Americas', a military coalition with right-wing Latin American leaders to combat drug cartels, excluding Mexico. Trump described Mexico as the 'epicenter of cartel violence' and criticized President Claudia Sheinbaum for rejecting U.S. military assistance. The U.S. administration stated that the door is not closed to Mexico in the future.
At a summit in Miami, Florida, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the formation of the 'Shield of the Americas' coalition alongside 12 ideologically aligned Latin American leaders, such as Argentina's Javier Milei, El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, and Ecuador's Daniel Noboa. The meeting, held at a golf course owned by Trump, excluded progressive governments like those of Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia. Trump signed a proclamation committing participants to use 'lethal military force to destroy' the cartels, stating: 'On this historic day, we gather to announce a new military coalition to eradicate the criminal cartels that plague our region'.
In his speech, Trump pointed to Mexico as the 'epicenter of cartel violence' and recounted conversations with President Claudia Sheinbaum, whom he described as a 'very good person' with a 'beautiful voice', but criticized for refusing to allow U.S. military actions on Mexican soil. 'Let me eradicate the cartels', he said he asked her, and she replied 'no, no, no'. Trump insisted that 'Mexican cartels are driving and orchestrating much of the bloodshed and chaos in the hemisphere' and warned that his government will do 'whatever is necessary' to defend national security.
State Department spokesperson Natalia Molano clarified that there is no 'closed door' for Mexico: 'It is an opportunity to recognize countries that from the first day of President Trump's administration have put on the jersey and aligned themselves', and there will be an 'opportunity to expand' the alliance once results are shown. This initiative follows the February capture and death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, 'El Mencho', with U.S. intelligence assistance.
In response, Sheinbaum called for a 'cool head' during a tour in Ixtapaluca, Mexico State, and announced she would address the issue in her Monday, March 9, press conference. 'We'll see it on Monday, on Monday. Cool head', she said in response to press questions.
