While ongoing conflicts in the Middle East continue to raise concerns about the United States’ diplomacy, recent developments suggest that Washington is seeking to strengthen its relationships in South America. Earlier this March, President Donald Trump met with 12 Latin American leaders to discuss establishing the “Shield of the Americas.” This multilateral agreement aims to advance security coordination by sharing intelligence on crime, maritime interdiction, and trafficking routes. The stated priority of this organization is to address non-state armed groups that Trump has described as “narco-terrorists” involved in drug smuggling into the United States. A total of 17 countries are included in the agreement.

According to Foreign Policy, Trump is choosing to form smaller coalitions rather than participating in larger multilateral forums. Some observers interpret this as a response to international criticism of the President for recent interventions. The political orientation of these countries in Latin America provides the U.S. with greater influence, as they are more receptive to U.S. policies. This security initiative also aims to intercept drug flows in other countries before they reach the American border. However, critics claim that this may support governments that have implemented security measures in countries experiencing violence related to drug wars, which have resulted in thousands of deaths.

A key criticism of this project centers on its focus on supporting right-leaning governments and agendas that have pursued strict anti-drug enforcement policies. According to an article by Stimson, many of the conservative leaders selected by Trump share platforms similar to his. These governments seek to address crime and drug issues through more punitive measures. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who attended the meeting, has been recognized by security analysts for reducing crime through what he calls the “Bukele Model.” This approach, enacted in 2022, includes suspension of certain constitutional guarantees and grants state security forces unrestricted powers to conduct operations. While this model has been credited with playing a role in a decrease in the crime rate in El Salvador, with the National Civil Police reporting an 80% fall in the homicide rate, it has also resulted in widespread arrests without due process. The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) reports that 85,000 people have been detained since the initiatve began. Humanitarian organizations have expressed concern about possible human rights violations associated with these arrests. WOLA documents poor conditions and mistreatment in detention centers, including reports of torture and overcrowding. There is concern that multilateral partnerships with countries that implement such practices may further promote policies that prioritize deterrence over rehabilitation, leading to public resentment and an increased risk of law-abiding civilians being arrested. This change towards punishing those suspected of breaking the law hampers peace-building strategies intended to demobilize the use of force, as those who are perceived to be participating in the drug trade are targeted and often harshly punished.

The recent agreement has encouraged the adoption of similar strategies in other countries. According to Al Jazeera, hardline approaches to countering “narcoterrorism” are already being implemented in Ecuador. U.S. Special Forces are assisting Ecuadorean troops in conducting raids and launching drones against ships suspected of carrying drugs, further threatening to move the strikes on land if the situation escalates. Several cities and provinces, including Guayaquil, Ecuador’s most populous city, have imposed curfews and restricted movement to prevent civilian casualties, significantly disrupting daily life and increasing fear among the community. Mirroring Bukele’s approach, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has sought to strengthen ties with Trump and adopt similarly hardline positions toward countries such as Colombia, which are perceived as insufficiently strict regarding drug trafficking. Al Jazeera further reports that, following Trump’s call for Colombia to intensify its crackdown on illicit narcotics, Noboa imposed tariffs on Colombia for the same reason, highlighting the political objectives both leaders aim to achieve through this alliance.

Trump further symbolized the political agenda of the agreement by excluding left-wing governments from the meeting. According to Foreign Policy, the presidents of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico—all left-leaning—did not attend, stating they were not invited. These governments have openly criticized Trump’s aggressive anti-drug policies. Such perspectives that are not welcomed in the current strategy, as Trump has chosen to align exclusively with those who support his hardline approach.

To shift from militarization to peacebuilding, a more effective approach would emphasize restoration rather than punitive tactics. While the “Shield of the Americas” initiative focuses on coordinated crackdowns to stop the flow of traffic, it overlooks the root causes that enable these organizations to thrive. Poverty and limited economic opportunities compel individuals to participate in the drug trade to support themselves and their families. Without fixing these structural issues, even the most aggressive enforcement campaigns are unlikely to achieve lasting stability, as drug organizations will just grow their numbers and gain new leadership, and the pipeline of desperation to make money feeds them new recruits.

One possible solution is to expand the scope of regional cooperation beyond security operations and to invest in programs that promote social welfare and income growth. Instead of military operations, the U.S. can invest more in education, job-creation initiatives, and infrastructure in communities most vulnerable to criminal recruitment, thus building human capital and providing viable alternatives to participation in the drug trade. Additionally, incorporating human rights protections into any multilateral security agreement is key to preventing outcomes similar to those observed in El Salvador, where short-term crime reductions have come at the expense of judicial safeguards and respect for basic freedoms. The framework should create clear guidelines on due process, transparency in security operations, and strengthen monitoring of detention facilities to prevent abuses while maintaining public order. Lastly, the “Shield of the Americas” should foster inclusive dialogue, ensuring participation from all political perspectives rather than only those aligned with its founder’s agenda. Such inclusivity can enhance the effectiveness of regional initiatives by enabling diverse strategies, such as harm reduction and rehabilitation, to complement enforcement efforts and create a more comprehensive approach. Ultimately, a successful strategy must integrate security cooperation, economic investment, human rights protections, and inclusive diplomacy to achieve lasting regional stability.