The fight against drug cartels in Latin America has been at the center of regional security policies for many years. Recently, statements by the United States (US) administration that military force is necessary in the fight against cartels have taken this debate to a new level.[1] This approach has brought not only security policies but also issues of state sovereignty, international cooperation, and foreign intervention in Latin America back to the forefront. These statements, made at a time when the US is redefining its security strategies in the region, are seen as a development that presents both opportunities and risks for Latin American countries.
Cartels have emerged in many Latin American countries not only as criminal organizations but also as actors influencing the economic and social structure. Cartels have gained extensive influence, particularly in Mexico, Colombia, and Central American countries, establishing parallel structures that undermine state authority in some regions. This situation has been seen as a problem exceeding the capacity of security institutions and has led to discussions on new methods to combat cartels. The military solution proposed by the US administration has also become part of this debate.
The US approach is based on the argument that cartels are not only criminal organizations but have also become armed structures. The use of heavy weapons by cartels, their conduct of cross-border operations, and their rise to a level where they challenge state institutions in some regions have reinforced the view that tougher measures are needed in security policies. In this context, the US administration has argued that the involvement of military capacity in the fight against cartels is inevitable.[2] This approach indicates that Washington may adopt a more aggressive strategy, particularly in the areas of border security and combating drug trafficking.
Different assessments have emerged regarding the proposal for a military solution in Latin American countries. The prevailing view is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to control the arms capacity and financial power of cartels through traditional police operations. In this context, the involvement of the army in the fight against cartels is seen as a tool that could increase the state’s security capacity in the short term. However, it is also emphasized that a strategy based solely on military methods will not eliminate the root causes of the problem. Economic networks, money laundering mechanisms, and international trade connections are considered to play an important role in the cartels’ rise to power. Therefore, it is stated that security policies in the fight against cartels must be supported not only by military means but also by economic and institutional measures.[3]
In some segments of Latin American society, a cautious approach to the proposal for a military solution has emerged. Some local observers in the region have pointed out that the excessive militarization of security policies has led to human rights violations in the past. Military regimes and internal conflicts in Latin America, particularly in the second half of the 20th century, have created a historical sensitivity to military intervention among large segments of society. For this reason, the emphasis on military methods in the fight against cartels is causing concern in some circles.
The US’s emphasis on military options in the fight against cartels has also brought regional sovereignty debates back to the forefront. The issue of foreign intervention in Latin America has historically been a sensitive matter. The military operations and security cooperation initiatives the US has carried out in some countries in the region in the past frequently bring discussions of sovereignty and intervention to the fore in Latin America. For this reason, the emphasis on military methods in the fight against cartels is being carefully evaluated by some Latin American governments.
The fact that cartels operate on a global scale necessitates international cooperation. Illegal drug trafficking has created a global system that encompasses not only Latin American countries but also consumer markets in North America and Europe. Therefore, it is argued that regional and international cooperation mechanisms, not just national policies, are important in the fight against cartels. In this context, the US security discourse also brings with it discussions on how the regional security architecture will take shape.
While it is acknowledged that military capacity cannot be completely excluded from the fight against cartels in Latin America, it is also clear that this alone is not a sufficient solution. It is understood that cartels are not only structures that create security problems, but also formations that feed on economic and social conditions. Factors such as poverty, weak state capacity, and lack of control, particularly in border regions, play a significant role in the strengthening of cartels. Therefore, it is emphasized that security policies in the fight against cartels should not be based solely on military means, but should be addressed within a more comprehensive strategy supported by economic development, social policies, and institutional reforms.
The US administration’s emphasis on the necessity of military force in the fight against cartels should be considered not only as an assessment of security policy, but also within the context of regional strategy, as part of a comprehensive approach. This rhetoric raises the possibility of expanding security cooperation in Latin America, particularly in Mexico, Colombia, and some Central American countries where cartels are particularly active. Assessments that cartels are increasingly armed and conducting cross-border activities have led the U.S. to position these structures as security threats rather than traditional criminal organizations. In this context, the rhetoric of combating cartels may pave the way for the U.S. to increase its security presence in the region through mechanisms such as military training programs, joint operations, or security cooperation in the coming period. Considering past counter-narcotics programs and security agreements in Latin America, defining cartels as a military threat could lead to a reshaping of the regional security architecture.
As a result, the US’s emphasis on the necessity of military force in combating cartels in Latin America has sparked a new debate in terms of regional security policies. This approach has shown that tough security measures may be on the agenda in the face of the cartels’ increasing armed capacity. However, historical experiences and sensitivities regarding sovereignty in Latin America have highlighted the need for careful consideration of military solutions. Therefore, while the role of military tools in combating cartels continues to be debated, the view that the problem must be addressed not only through security policies but also through economic and social factors has gained strength.
[1] Stewart, Phil, Ryan Patrick Jones, and Doina Chiacu. “US Tells Latin America: Military Force Is the Only Way to Defeat Cartels.” Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/cartels-can-only-be-defeated-with-military-power-white-houses-miller-says-2026-03-05/, (Date Accessed: 08.03.2026).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
