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LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

October 16, 2025

What Will Result From U.S. Policy on Drug Cartels?

U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign against drug cartels has included the deployment of ships including the USS Iwo Jima (pictured) to the Caribbean. // File Photo: U.S. Navy.

Q

A

Vanda Felbab-Brown, senior fellow for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution: “Much is yet unknown about the secret directive and war determination, but it appears that the Trump administration judges that at least some—and perhaps all—of the 13 criminal groups across Latin America which it designated as foreign terrorist organizations can be hit in this way. Beyond existing strikes on boats off Venezuela, President Trump threatens action on land without specifying where. The legality of the actions stands on thin ground, with the determination seeking to expand the president’s military powers in extraordinary ways. The strikes go far beyond the congressionally authorized use of the U.S. Southern Command and Coast Guard for law enforcement actions against drug trafficking. Apparently, the administration is using Article II of the Constitution to claim the need for self-defense…”

Top News

Trump Authorizes Covert Action by CIA in Venezuela
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to engage in covert operations in Venezuela.
Top Guatemalan Security Officials Resign After Prison Break
Three top security officials in Guatemala’s government stepped down on Wednesday after 20 members of a gang escaped from prison.
U.S. Eyes Doubling Aid to Argentina to $40 Billion
The United States is planning to unveil a new $20 billion financing package for Argentina, which would add to a previously announced $20 billion currency-swap arrangement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday.

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.

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gkuleta@thedialogue.org

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Diego Arria
Director,
Columbus Group

Merike Blofield
Professor of Political Science,
University of Hamburg

Devry Boughner Vorwerk
CEO,
DevryBV Sustainable Strategies

Joyce Chang
Global Head of Research,
J.P. Morgan

Marlene Fernández
Corporate Vice President for Gov’t Relations,
Arcos Dorados (McDonald’s)

Peter Hakim
President Emeritus,
Inter-American Dialogue

Donna Hrinak
Director,
Adtalem Global Education

Jon E. Huenemann
Council Member,
GLG Inc.

James R. Jones
Chairman,
Monarch Global Strategies

Craig Kelly
Senior Director,
Int’l Gov’t Relations,
Exxon Mobil

Barbara Kotschwar
Professor of Political Economy,
Georgetown University

John Maisto
Director,
US Education Finance Group

Nicolas Mariscal
Chairman,
Grupo Marhnos

Thomas F. McLarty III
Chairman,
McLarty Associates

Beatrice Rangel
Director,
AMLA Consulting

Ernesto Revilla
Head of Latin American Economics, Citi

Gustavo Roosen
President,
IESA

Andrés Rozental
President, Rozental &
Asociados

Shelly Shetty
Managing Director,
Sovereigns, Fitch

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