Stephen Miller told Latin American military leaders at a conference of the America's Counter Cartel Coalition in March 2026 that organizations can only be defeated with military power.
Posted by Behind the Bastards, Checked
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Behind the BastardsOct 3, 2026
Multiple independent reports (Reuters, DW, EFE, Miami Herald, Just Security) confirm that Stephen Miller told Latin American military leaders at the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference at SOUTHCOM in Doral on March 5, 2026, that 'these organizations can only be defeated with military power.' The claim's conference name ('America's Counter Cartel Coalition') differs slightly from the sources' 'Americas Counter Cartel.
The host relays this claim without endorsing it. It counts as passed on, not against the post.
What was said
… associates, and supporters of the organizations, and criminal liability for individuals knowingly providing material support, including logistical support, to the organizations, among other measures. This announcement has seemingly been a long time coming. At a conference of the America's Counter Cartel Coalition in March 2026, Stephen Miller told Latin American military leaders that, quote, these organizations can only be defeated with military power, and I see some heads nodding up front because they understand you're dealing with a lot of lawyers in your country. I'm sure you have my permission not to listen to them. End quote. This is frightful, to be honest with you. …
Behind the Bastards · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. Reuters reports that Miller told Latin American defense leaders gathered at SOUTHCOM headquarters that 'these organizations can only be defeated with military power,' with a direct quote.[1]
Supports. DW and EFE both quote Miller saying the cartels 'can only be defeated with military power' at the Americas Counter Cartel Conference in Doral on March 5, 2026.[3][4]
Supports. Miami Herald, Just Security and Al Jazeera independently report the same remark and framing at the March 5, 2026 conference.[5][6][7]
Context. The sources name the event the 'Americas Counter Cartel Conference' rather than the claim's 'America's Counter Cartel Coalition'; this is a naming variant for the same conference and does not change who spoke or what was said.[2][8][9]
Sources
9 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 7 not rated
- 1US tells Latin America: Military force is the only way to defeat cartelsreuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 2Hegseth urges Latin American allies to go on offense ...apnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: context
- 3White House advisor urges Latin America to fight cartels - EFEefe.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 4US urges Latin America to use military against drug cartels - DW.comdw.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5The Shield of the Americas Is the Trump Corollary's Military Edgejustsecurity.org · not rated · cited for: supports
- 6Trump administration urges allies to crackdown on cartelsmiamiherald.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 7Amid Iran war, Trump administration eyes military efforts in Latin Americaaljazeera.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 8SOUTHCOM Commander Stresses Importance of ...southcom.mil · not rated · cited for: context
- 9Hegseth in Doral: Latin American allies urged to go on ...nbcmiami.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
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