Source: The Hindu, Tags: 2 April 2026
Context: Shield of the Americas
A U.S.-led regional security initiative aimed at coordinating joint action among selected Latin American countries to combat drug cartels and expand strategic cooperation in the Western Hemisphere.
Key Points
1. Objectives
• Joint counter-drug operations
• Enhanced military & intelligence cooperation
• Strategic alignment with U.S. interests
• Securing influence over critical resources
2. Participating Countries
• Mainly pro-U.S. governments
• Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, El Salvador, select Central American & Caribbean nations
Not included
Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Canada
Additional Point
The Doral Charter emerged from the Shield of the Americas summit held in Doral (Miami, Florida), as a guiding document for U.S.-led regional cooperation.
