Guatemala is seeking to collaborate with the U.S. military to conduct operations against drug cartels in the country. The Guatemalan government stated, "The Government of Guatemala desires to lead, with U.S. assistance, active military operations to combat U.S.-designated terrorist organizations (DTOs) within Guatemala." However, they clarified that there is no existing agreement that permits foreign military operations on their territory.
This announcement follows a report by the New York Times indicating that Guatemala and the U.S. had reached an agreement for joint operations targeting cartels. The Trump administration has prioritized increasing military and economic pressure on cartels in Central and South America since taking office.
The broader strategy includes a similar agreement with Ecuador and has led to numerous operations against drug smugglers in the Caribbean. U.S. Southern Command has confirmed ongoing cooperation with regional partners to counter transnational criminal organizations and enhance security across the hemisphere.
While Guatemala and Ecuador are open to U.S. military assistance, Mexico has declined such cooperation, with President Claudia Sheinbaum stating that the U.S. military will not operate in Mexico.
The U.S. continues to work on various initiatives to address drug trafficking and related security threats in the region.