On Saturday, President Donald Trump hosted a summit called 'Shield of the Americas' at the Trump National Doral resort in Miami, gathering leaders from 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries to establish a regional alliance aimed at combating drug trafficking, cartels, illegal immigration, and transnational organized crime.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesperson, announced the event last Thursday, describing it as a groundbreaking initiative. "The president will engage in discussions with these countries' leaders, who have formed a historic coalition to jointly address massive illegal migration and the threats posed by criminal gangs, drug traffickers, and terrorists," Leavitt stated.
The summit saw the participation of prominent leaders such as Javier Milei from Argentina, Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, Daniel Noboa from Ecuador, Santiago Peña of Paraguay, Luis Abinader from the Dominican Republic, José Raúl Mulino of Panama, Rodrigo Chaves from Costa Rica, and Nasry Asfura of Honduras. Representatives from Trinidad and Tobago and Bolivia were also present. Additionally, José Antonio Kast, the president-elect of Chile, attended the summit. Kast is set to become Chile's first far-right leader since the return of democracy when he assumes office on March 11.
Noticeably absent were the left-leaning or center-left governments from the region, including those of Mexico (Claudia Sheinbaum), Colombia (Gustavo Petro), Brazil (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva), Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This highlights the ideological divide across the hemisphere.
Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was appointed as the special envoy for the 'Shield of the Americas.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the new head of Southern Command, General Frank Donovan, are also actively involved in this initiative, which also seeks to counter China's influence in the Western Hemisphere.
The summit takes place amid heightened U.S. pressure on the region. On January 3, 2026, U.S. special forces conducted 'Operation Absolute Resolution' in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were taken to New York to face charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine import conspiracy. The Wall Street Journal described this operation as a direct warning to Cuba.
Regarding the island nation, Trump was candid in a CNN interview on Friday: "We're very focused on this right now. We've got plenty of time, but after 50 years, Cuba is ready." The day before, speaking to Rubio at the White House, he was even more direct: "Your next project will be Cuba. It's waiting."
Trump also indicated that the Cuban regime "desperately wants to make a deal" and announced plans to appoint Rubio to lead those negotiations. "I'm going to put Marco there and see how it works," he said.
This summit follows the suspension of the Summit of the Americas initially planned for November 2025 in the Dominican Republic, creating a diplomatic vacuum that the Trump administration is now seizing with this parallel initiative of like-minded countries to solidify its leadership in the Western Hemisphere.
Key Insights on 'Shield of the Americas'
What is the purpose of the 'Shield of the Americas' summit?
The summit aims to establish a regional coalition to combat drug trafficking, cartels, illegal immigration, and transnational organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Why were certain countries excluded from the summit?
Left-leaning or center-left governments such as those of Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil were excluded, underscoring the ideological divide in the region.
Who are the key figures involved in the 'Shield of the Americas' initiative?
Key figures include former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as special envoy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and General Frank Donovan, head of Southern Command.