Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Hosts Americas Counter Cartel Conference

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will travel to Doral, Florida, tomorrow to host the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference at the U.S. Southern Command Headquarters. Like-minded regional defense and security leaders from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America will attend. Secretary Hegseth will also travel to Tampa, Florida, to visit U.S. Central Command Headquarters.

Narco-terrorism is a threat shared by all Western Hemisphere nations. For decades and across many administrations, narco-terrorists and cartel thugs have trafficked fentanyl and other deadly drugs freely across borders, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. This organized crime ring presents an extraordinary threat to the security and prosperity of the Western Hemisphere. On President Trump's first day in office, he signed an Executive Order that designated narco-traffickers and cartels as Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs). This crucial distinction has given the U.S. military the ability to better defend our nation and its extended perimeter.

Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the Department is uniting partners across the Western Hemisphere to detect, disrupt, and destroy designated terrorist organizations that fuel violence and corruption. Dismantling the narco-terrorist networks that plague our Hemisphere is only possible with partnership. Nations within the SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR) understand the risks and are beginning to unify their efforts to eliminate this shared threat. The Americas Counter Cartel Conference is a testament to our alignment and this Administration's unwavering commitment to protect the U.S. Homeland and American people.