On March 8, 2026, the Trump National Doral Miami served as the venue for a significant summit involving U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders from 14 countries in Latin America, all convened under the newly launched ‘Shield of Americas’ initiative.
The assembly included notable figures such as Javier Milei, Nayib Bukele, and José Antonio Kast, the Chilean President-elect, along with leaders from Ecuador, Paraguay, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. Notably absent was Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was excluded due to Trump’s decision to reject U.S. aid aimed at combating cartel activities.
Military alliance to tackle drug cartels
The main focus of the gathering was the establishment of a military alliance with the primary objective of eradicating drug cartels from the Western Hemisphere. Trump emphasized that seventeen nations have officially joined the pact, asserting,
“The essence of our agreement is a commitment to use lethal military force to destroy sinister cartels and terrorist networks.”
Additionally, this resort, owned by the president, is slated to host the G20 summit later this year, making it a pivotal location for international dialogue.
Focus on Cuba, Venezuela, and Panama
During his address, Trump dedicated considerable attention to Cuba, stating that the island is in its “last moments.” He revealed that negotiations are ongoing with Havana through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American. Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, suggesting the possibility of what he termed a “friendly takeover” of Cuba.
In his remarks, he also formally acknowledged the government of Delcy Rodríguez in Venezuela, a nation undergoing a transitional phase under U.S. oversight following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. Trump further disclosed a forthcoming agreement concerning Venezuelan gold, although detailed terms were not provided.
On the topic of the Panama Canal, he reiterated his stance against “hostile foreign influence,” referring to the Canal as his “favourite canal” in a statement directed towards Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino.
Shifting to international matters, Trump addressed the ongoing military operations in Iran under Operation Epic Fury, claiming that in a span of three days, U.S. forces have eliminated 42 Iranian military vessels. He declared that Iran would face significant repercussions, contrasting their previous reputation by stating that they are no longer “the bully of the Middle East”, but rather “the loser,” a remark alluding to an apology issued by the Iranian president to the Persian Gulf nations following recent attacks.