Trump Hosts Shield of the Americas Summit to Form Coalition Against Cartels

US President Donald Trump hosted the inaugural "Shield of the Americas" summit in Florida, bringing together leaders from 12 Latin American countries to form a coalition against drug cartels, organized crime, and illegal immigration. Trump urged the use of military action to combat these threats, drawing parallels to the US-led fight against ISIS. The summit also aimed to counter growing Chinese influence in the region. Notable attendees included Argentina's Javier Milei, El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, and Chile's president-elect Jose Antonio Kast, while Mexico and Brazil were absent. The initiative reflects a broader US strategy to strengthen regional security and cooperation amid global crises.