Story perspectives

Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras Back U.S. Ground Operations Plan

8/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras have agreed to let U.S. forces conduct ground operations, joining Ecuador.
Guatemala publicly denied any agreement for U.S. ground operations.
The administration has labeled 20 Latin American criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
InSight Crime co-director Jeremy McDermott warned that deeper U.S. involvement could push the ELN into villages and test regional sovereignty.

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Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras have agreed to let U.S. forces conduct ground operations, joining Ecuador.
Guatemala publicly denied any agreement for U.S. ground operations.
The administration has labeled 20 Latin American criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
InSight Crime co-director Jeremy McDermott warned that deeper U.S. involvement could push the ELN into villages and test regional sovereignty.