US coalition targets Latin American drug gangs with sanctions

The "Shield of the Americas" coalition, launched by the Trump administration, signed an agreement on Tuesday to formally designate drug-trafficking factions as "shared threats" and impose sanctions on them, with Brazilian groups PCC and CV among the 24 organizations targeted. The signed document, released by the State Department, declares the intention to impose asset freezes, immigration and visa restrictions, and criminal accountability for those providing material support to the listed organizations. The coalition, which includes Argentina, Chile, and El Salvador, will activate a reciprocity mechanism through the Organization of American States to implement the measures. The announcement follows President Trump's UN General Assembly speech, where he called cartels the "Islamic State of the Western Hemisphere" and threatened military action. This aligns with the "Donroe Doctrine," a play on the Monroe Doctrine, contrasting with Brazilian President Lula's defense of multilateralism and sovereignty, who stated "Brazil does not fit in anyone's backyard."