Hegseth Signs Joint Declaration to Boost Counter-Cartel Efforts in Western Hemisphere

The U.S. secretary of war calls for western hemisphere nations to work together against cartels and address other shared security concerns.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, flanked by Latin American and Caribbean defense ministers, signs a joint security declaration for the Western Hemisphere, during a conference at the U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Fla. on March 5, 2026. Ryan Morgan/The Epoch Times

DORAL, Florida.—U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth joined military officials from across Latin America and the Caribbean in signing a joint security declaration on March 5, amid a push to boost military partnerships in the Western Hemisphere.

Hegseth signed the joint declaration during the Americas Counter Cartel Conference, at the headquarters of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in Doral, Florida.