Donald Trump welcomed leaders of at least 10 Latin American countries to a golf resort in Miami on Saturday for a summit. Trump convened a gathering of Latin American leaders at his Miami-area golf club to discuss regional interests and establish a 'counter-cartel coalition'. The Shield of the Americas summit was created after the 10th Summit of the Americas was canceled last year amid a US military buildup near Venezuela.
The summit is seen as a key element of Trump's foreign policy, described as a modern iteration of the Monroe Doctrine or 'Donroe Doctrine'. Trump officials describe his 'Don-roe Doctrine' as an attempt to reduce Beijing's regional footprint and impose Washington's will through economic and military pressure. The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Shield of the Americas summit is designed 'to promote freedom, security and prosperity in our region'.
Trump has launched a crusade to 'reclaim our back yard' in Latin America since returning to power last year. Trump's actions in Latin America include airstrikes on alleged narco boats, meddling in Brazil's judicial system, threats of military intervention in Mexico and Colombia, abduction of Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro, and use of Predator drones to help kill drug boss El Mencho in Mexico. Trump rescued Argentina's president Javier Milei with a multibillion-dollar bailout and interfered in Honduras's election in support of the rightwing winner.
Trump suggested a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba and is cutting off its oil supply to strangle the communist regime. Trump announced the creation of a 'military coalition' to 'eradicate' cartels, even with missile strikes. ' Trump pushed leaders to take stronger action against cartels and gangs, suggesting the use of military force.
Because I'm not learning your damn language. I don't have time.
Trump said, 'We will use missiles. ' referring to organized crime in the region. Trump said the epicenter of cartel violence is Mexico, where cartels are fueling bloodshed and chaos in the hemisphere.
Trump complimented Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum but said cartels are running Mexico. Washington has been conducting an intensive campaign of airstrikes since September against vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific, with at least 150 people killed. Less than two weeks ago, US law enforcement provided intelligence assistance in a raid in Jalisco, Mexico, to capture drug lord El Mencho, who died from wounds.
Two months ago, a US military operation captured Venezuela's then president Nicolás Maduro, who is awaiting trial in the US. Last week, the US legally recognized the Venezuelan government. Trump complimented Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who has offered to collaborate with the Trump administration.
' Trump said Cuba has no money, no oil, a bad philosophy and regime, but wants to negotiate with the US. Trump assured that Cuba 'is living its last hours' and said he will 'take care of it'. Trump said the US will not allow hostile foreign influence to gain a foothold in the hemisphere, including the Panama canal.
We will use missiles. Do you want us to use a missile?
Trump's guest list includes rightwing presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, El Salvador, and Paraguay but excludes leftist leaders of Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. The summit included leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. Leaders attending include presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Chile's president-elect José Antonio Kast.
Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia did not participate in the summit; their leaders were not on the guest list. Outgoing homeland security secretary Kristi Noem was selected as a special envoy to the regional coalition. Trump ranted against a 'bad interpreter' in front of Latin American leaders during the summit.
Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'has a language advantage' over him because 'I'm not learning your damn language. ' Trump claimed he can tell the difference between good and bad interpreters even though he doesn't speak the language. Trump sparked health concerns after appearing at the summit and giving a rambling speech about interpreters.
Trump wants to apply the same method to Iran that he applied to Venezuela.