STRAT | 28 MAY 2026 | America’s Cartel Crackdown Reshapes Hemisphere

About this episode

The episode discusses how U.S. operations in Latin America are reshaping the region's political and economic landscape.

In this explosive episode of STRAT , retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines how aggressive U.S. operations across Latin America are transforming the region’s political, economic, and security landscape . From renewed American military activity around the Panama Canal to intensified cartel targeting in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Venezuela, and a burgeoning strategic shift with Cuba, Washington appears to be executing a sweeping hemispheric strategy aimed at countering narco-terrorism, expanding economic influence, and rolling back Chinese encroachment. The discussion explores covert raids, intelligence cooperation, joint military operations, anti-cartel campaigns, and major mineral and energy agreements reshaping regional alliances. The episode also examines the implications for global trade, maritime security, corruption, foreign investment, and business expansion opportunities throughout the Western Hemisphere. As Operation Southern Spear expands, the future of Latin America may be entering a dramatic new era of geopolitical realignment. Takeaways : U.S. military involvement in Latin America has expanded dramatically. The Panama Canal region is…

People in this episode

Guest: LtCol. Hal Kempfer

Topics covered

• U.S. military operations
• cartel targeting
• geopolitical realignment
• Latin America
• economic influence
• narco-terrorism

Keywords

• U.S. military
• Latin America
• cartels
• geopolitical strategy
• economic opportunities
• Operation Southern Spear
• Cuba
• Venezuela
• Panama Canal

Mentioned in this episode

Places: United States, Latin America, Panama Canal, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Venezuela, Cuba

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