The administration of President Donald Trump intensified its call to Latin American governments to increase their budgets for defense and security, considering that the region faces growing threats derived from drug trafficking, organized crime and irregular migration.

The approach was presented by the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby, who maintained that several Latin American countries maintain insufficient levels of military investment in the face of the security challenges they face. In an article published in Americas Quarterly, the official argued that strengthening the defense capabilities of regional allies would contribute both to the stability of the continent and to the national security of the United States.

"It is critical that our neighbors in the region invest more in their own defense and security. There is no reason for any country, especially those facing significant narco-terrorist threats, to spend so little on defense," Colby wrote. The official described it as “absurd” that some nations allocate less than 1% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to national defense, although he avoided identifying the countries he was referring to.

In contrast, he highlighted that the European members of NATO have increased their spending commitments to reach 3.5% of GDP on military capabilities and an additional 1.5% in security-related areas.

A new strategy for the hemisphere

Colby's statements are part of the security strategy promoted by the Trump administration, which seeks to strengthen cooperation with like-minded governments on the continent to confront transnational criminal organizations.

The official recalled that at the beginning of July he participated in the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas, held in Cusco, Peru, where he presented Washington's vision on the future of regional cooperation.

As part of that approach, the White House recently promoted the creation of the so-called Shield of the Americas, an alliance focused on combating organized crime and drug trafficking. The initiative brings together several conservative-leaning Latin American governments, although it does not include Mexico or Brazil.

Colby maintained that Washington's foreign policy towards the region is based on a reinterpretation of the historic Monroe Doctrine, a principle formulated in the 19th century that established the Western Hemisphere as an area of ​​American influence.

"Of course, we recognize that the Monroe Doctrine is controversial in many areas. But it is also frequently misinterpreted," said the undersecretary.

As he explained, the current objective would not be to impose relations of subordination, but rather to promote a greater capacity of Latin American countries to guarantee their own stability.

Defense, drug trafficking and regional security

The official assured that the United States considers it a priority to confront the threats derived from drug trafficking, narcoterrorism and irregular migration flows that affect the region. In this context, he stated that Washington will continue to use all available resources to combat these organizations, including the Armed Forces when necessary, as part of coordinated operations with allied governments.

Colby also defended recent US operations in the Caribbean against vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, although these actions have received criticism from human rights organizations for complaints about possible extrajudicial executions in international waters.

Finally, the undersecretary reiterated that the Trump administration seeks to build a relationship based on shared interests and urged Latin American countries to strengthen their military and security capabilities as a condition to confront organized crime and generate a more stable environment for economic development and investment in the hemisphere.

This news has been tken from authentic news syndicates and agencies and only the wordings has been changed keeping the menaing intact. We have not done personal research yet and do not guarantee the complete genuinity and request you to verify from other sources too.