In Quito this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a recalibration of America's year-long campaign against drug trafficking in Latin American waters — one that seeks allied cooperation with nations like Colombia and Ecuador rather than the unilateral strikes that have killed at least 230 people across 69 operations since September 2025. The shift is less a change of doctrine than a change of architecture: the military retains its discretion to act, but the preference now is for joint operations conducted within the legal frameworks of partner nations. It is a moment that raises en
Rubio signals shift toward allied drug-war operations while defending military strikes
At least 230 people have been killed in 69 US military strikes on boats in Latin American waters over the past year, with three more killed in the latest strike.
Politics & Governance