The United States and 18 other countries are preparing a coordinated effort against drug cartels operating across the Western Hemisphere. Defense officials from the participating countries met in Panama this week to discuss how each nation could take part in the effort and what the coalition will do in the coming months.
The group is called the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, or A3C. President Donald J. Trump launched it in March, and Colombia recently became its 19th member. The coalition is focused mainly on criminal drug organizations, while its broader goals include addressing illegal migration and foreign influence in the region.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attended the meetings and said the U.S. intends to remain closely involved with the other countries. He described drug trafficking organizations as a threat that affects people throughout the Americas, not only those living in the United States.
Much of the meeting dealt with how the coalition will actually operate. Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan, who commands U.S. Southern Command, said members agreed on several steps for moving forward. Countries will take responsibility for different areas and threats, while working groups will focus on particular goals.
Some governments were quick to volunteer. Donovan said countries offered to lead operations in certain parts of the region and focus on specific criminal networks. Coalition members now plan to develop a larger campaign strategy and have it ready for approval by November.
Hegseth pushed for action during his remarks in Panama. He said the countries involved have common security concerns and should work together against drug traffickers. At the meeting, he also introduced the coalition’s new motto: “We do bad things to bad people.”
His time in Panama went beyond the coalition meeting. Hegseth visited American troops taking part in jungle training and observed activities connected to Panamax 2026. Panamax brings forces from different countries together for military training in Panama. Some of the exercises involved maritime operations, tactical drills and cooperation between U.S. personnel and regional forces.
Hegseth connected that type of training to the security problems the coalition is trying to address. He said countries across the region face similar problems involving drugs and criminal organizations. American forces are also expected to train alongside personnel from partner countries, including students who will attend jungle training in Panama.
Colombia could have a larger role as the coalition develops. The country joined the A3C shortly before the meetings and offered to become a hub or headquarters for the group. Hegseth said Colombia already has extensive military experience and a long-running training relationship with the United States.
Hegseth also met Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino during the trip. Meanwhile, coalition members are expected to spend the next few months putting together the campaign plan that will determine how the countries divide responsibilities and coordinate their efforts against criminal networks.
Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) = Green
Image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license and was created using MapChart (https://mapchart.net).
