Story perspectives

Guatemala Becomes Second Nation Allowing U.S. Drug Airstrikes

6/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed to airstrikes against drug-trafficking groups inside Guatemala.
Finalized in a May 19 call, the pact lets operations start month and makes Guatemala second country, after Ecuador, to allow U.S. forces to advise and assist in raids.
The Defense Department will press Honduras for a pact, hoping the deals will pressure Mexico, whose President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected joint counter-drug actions.

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Story summary

Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed to airstrikes against drug-trafficking groups inside Guatemala.
Finalized in a May 19 call, the pact lets operations start month and makes Guatemala second country, after Ecuador, to allow U.S. forces to advise and assist in raids.
The Defense Department will press Honduras for a pact, hoping the deals will pressure Mexico, whose President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected joint counter-drug actions.