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U.S. pledges no unilateral anti-drug strikes in Latin America

Marco Rubio promised partner approval is required for cartel operations, according to ABC News.

The short version

  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged that the U.S. will not conduct anti-drug military operations in Latin America without allied consent.[ABC News]
  • Peru and Colombia have joined the U.S.-led 'Shield of the Americas' coalition designed to conduct joint operations against cartels.[ABC News]
  • Despite the pledge, Rubio asserted that the U.S. military will continue striking vessels when deemed necessary on an operation-by-operation basis.[ABC News]

Key facts

  • Marco Rubio announced that the United States would not conduct military actions against drug traffickers in Latin America without allied approval.[ABC News]
  • Peru and Colombia have joined the U.S.-led 'Shield of the Americas' coalition to carry out joint military operations targeting drug cartels.[ABC News]
  • Rubio maintained that the U.S. military will continue destroying ships if necessary, determining action on a strike-by-strike basis.[ABC News]
  • The U.S. military reported carrying out a deadly strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea that killed three people.[ABC News]
  • Peru declared a 60-day state of emergency in Lima and Callao at the end of August in response to rising crime rates.[ABC News]

What remains uncertain

  • How the U.S. will balance partner approval with ongoing unilateral determinations to strike maritime targets in international waters remains unclarified.[ABC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.