The strategic priorities of the United States in Latin America are redefined with the convening of the Americas Shield summit, scheduled for Saturday in Miami.
The event, which will bring together leaders from twelve countries in the region, seeks to strengthen a bloc aligned with Washington and curb China’s advance on Latin American resources and markets.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt pointed out that the initiative’s central goal is to “promote freedom, security, and prosperity in our region”.
Among the guests are leaders of nations such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. The list could be expanded with the presence of other leaders, the spokeswoman announced.
The meeting in Miami, organized by President Donald Trump, is shaping up to be a space to consolidate a hemispheric alliance that counteracts Beijing’s influence.
As Infobae has already reported, the US plan aims to prevent Xi Jinping’s administration from controlling natural resources, food production, and strategic trade routes in Latin America.
The White House spokesperson detailed some of the topics to be discussed at the summit in a press conference and mentioned the guest countries.
The Republican administration considers the containment of Chinese influence a priority. Towards the end of 2025, the National Security Strategy published by the US government proposed restricting the actions of extra-regional actors in Latin America.
The summit will have a focus not only on economics, but also on
regional security. According to the spokesperson, the leaders will address challenges such as combating drug trafficking, confronting criminal gangs, and seeking solutions to illegal and mass immigration.
“The president will be speaking with the leaders of these countries, who have formed a historic coalition to work together against criminal drug trafficking gangs and cartels and against illegal and massive immigration,” Leavitt declared.
Furthermore, the United States seeks to protect its position and ensure that its Latin American allies receive preferential treatment in trade and strategic investments.
The selection of guests demonstrates the intention to articulate a bloc ideologically aligned with the current White House. Among the presidents mentioned are
Javier Milei (Argentina), Santiago Peña (Paraguay), Rodrigo Paz (Bolivia), Nayib Bukele (El Salvador), Daniel Noboa (Ecuador) and Tito Asfura (Honduras), all with a profile of closeness and cooperation with the United States.
In the run-up to the summit, some countries have already made progress on bilateral agreements with the State Department. These are commitments aimed at distancing themselves from Chinese ambitions regarding the control of strategic resources,
in exchange for privileged access to US investments in key sectors of the economy.
In conclusion, the Americas Shield summit marks a new chapter in the strategic competition for influence in Latin America, where the United States is betting on consolidating its regional leadership.
