The Shield of the Americas is a U.S.-led coalition aimed at enhancing security cooperation among member countries to combat transnational criminal organizations in the Western Hemisphere. This initiative was established in March 2026 and includes multiple countries from Latin America and the Caribbean.
President Donald Trump recently participated in a Shield of the Americas event during the United Nations General Assembly. There he noted the electoral shift in many Latin American countries to the right. “That's a good thing,” he said. “For too long, leaders before us allowed many parts of the Western Hemisphere to become badly destabilized by cartel violence, uncontrolled migration, and foreign interference.”
The Shield of the Americas is a recognition that the Western Hemisphere is stronger, safer, and more prosperous when all nations work together to confront the threat posed by drug cartels. “For years, cartels have waged war on the people of this hemisphere,” said President Trump. “Now we're waging war on them.”
“These are violent terrorists, paramilitary forces in control of physical territory and that's because nobody ever did anything to stop it.”
President Trump asked all nations in the Shield of the Americans to “formally designate narcoterrorists as common threats to stability and apply crushing sanctions against all 24 US designated foreign terrorist organizations.”
“Until I came along, nobody designated anything. You were on your own. But now you're not on your own anymore. ... I want to thank you for the steps that you've already taken to help deny these organizations safe haven.”
“Our joint efforts have already saved hundreds of thousands of lives from lethal fentanyl overdoses and stripped over $4 billion in cartels,” said President Trump. The fentanyl being delivered by sea into the United States is down 97 percent.
President Trump also asked the Shield of the Americas members to help ensure the vast natural wealth of this hemisphere. “We must secure control of our own energy pipelines, rare earth elements, and agricultural trade corridors.”
“The resources of the Americas must always belong to the people of the Americas.”
“The United States is eager to work with you to achieve this goal and to strengthen all of our nations,” said President Trump.
“I just want to let you know that the United States is standing behind you.”
The Shield of the Americas is an important alliance because it gives members the opportunity to act jointly on security, economic, and diplomatic issues. It allows it members to speak with one voice and there is strength in such unity.