The Guatemalan government has officially denied reports that it\napproved joint airstrikes with the United States to target drug\ntraffickers on its territory. However, Guatemala acknowledged requesting\nWashington\u2019s assistance in the fight against transnational cartels.<\/p>\n
The denial follows a New York Times report citing anonymous sources\nclaiming that Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo approved the strike\nplan during a phone call with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth last\nweek.<\/p>\n
The move was initially seen as a significant escalation in US\nPresident Donald Trump\u2019s strategy against groups his administration\nlabels as narco-terrorists in Latin America. Previously, the US launched\na multinational anti-cartel alliance and conducted joint strikes against\ncocaine smugglers in Ecuador.<\/p>\n
Sovereignty and Congressional Approval<\/p>\n
In its official statement on Thursday (28 May), the Guatemalan\ngovernment affirmed that no agreement permits foreign military\noperations on its national territory.<\/p>\n
President Arevalo explained that the requested cooperation with\nWashington focuses on technical support, not physical military presence.\nHe stressed that foreign military presence in Guatemala requires\ncongressional authorisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis partnership will involve access to equipment, training, and\nexpert personnel to support operational planning at both strategic and\ntactical levels,\u201d Arevalo said.<\/p>\n
Key Smuggling Route<\/p>\n
The cooperation request forms part of the anti-cartel alliance\nlaunched by Trump at last month\u2019s Latin American leaders\u2019 summit.\nGuatemala is a critical node in the global drug distribution chain.<\/p>\n
According to US officials, around 90% of cocaine reaching the US\nmarket passes through Central America and Mexico. Smuggling occurs via\nvarious means, including trucks, planes, ships, and submarines, fuelling\nregional violence and money laundering in Guatemala.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesperson Joel Valdez declined to provide\nfurther details on future operational plans, citing operational\nsecurity. \u201cWe will not speculate on upcoming operations,\u201d he stated.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/guatemala-denies-allowing-us-military-strikes-against-drug-cartels-1780055984", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }