POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedSeptember 10, 2026Miami-Dade County

Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledges U.S. will not take unilateral military action against Latin American drug traffickers

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced during a trip to Peru that the U.S. will not conduct military strikes against narcotics traffickers in Latin American countries without the approval of local allies. The statement accompanied Peru and Colombia joining the U.S.-led 'Shield of the Americas' coalition for joint military operations against drug cartels. Meanwhile, the U.S. military continues its campaign of strikes against alleged drug boats in international waters.

Foreign PolicyDrug TraffickingInternational RelationsMilitary StrikesLatin America
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Why It Matters

The policy shift directly affects security cooperation, military operations, and diplomatic relations between the United States and partner nations in Latin America.

Key Facts

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged that the U.S. will not take military action against narcotics traffickers in Latin American countries without ally approval.
  • Peru joined the U.S.-led 'Shield of the Americas' coalition to carry out joint military operations against drug cartels.
  • Colombia recently joined the coalition under new President Abelardo de la Espriella.
  • The U.S. military carried out a deadly strike against a boat in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people, shortly before Rubio's comments.
  • Reports of extortion in Peru rose from 2,421 in 2019 to 26,734 in 2025.
  • Peru declared a 60-day state of emergency in Lima and the port of Callao due to rising crime.
  • Peru is the second-largest cultivator of coca leaf in the world, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Who's Mentioned

PersonMarco Rubio“U.S. Secretary of State”locationEcuador“Latin American country”locationPeru“Latin American country”OrganizationChinese Embassy in Peru“Diplomatic mission”OrganizationTrump administration“U.S. presidential administration”locationColombia“Latin American country”PersonAbelardo de la Espriella“New President of Colombia”PersonKeiko Fujimori“New President of Peru”PersonSoledad Lozano“Protester in Lima”PersonCarmen Espinoza“Protester in Lima”PersonMeg Kinnard“Associated Press writer”PersonFarnoush Amiri“Associated Press writer”PersonSuarez“Associated Press reporter”OrganizationShield of the Americas“U.S.-led regional coalition”