We’re with Natalia Molano, Spanish-language spokesperson for the Department of State.
Natalia, today President
Donald Trump is holding the first meeting here in Miami with Latin American leaders, for a new initiative called the Shield of the Americas.
He has made it clear his desire to exert control over the American continent and to wield influence in the region.
What are the objectives of this new alliance?
Well, this alliance that President Trump announced today as a new organization has very specific objectives, under the framework of that Don Roe doctrine, which
is…
restoring the preeminence of the United States in our neighborhood, which is
our region, and the very particular objectives are in terms of
security,
stability and prosperity.
She says he is very pleased with Delcy Rodríguez,
but she is not here.
Was she invited to this summit?
The countries that are here today were invited by the White House, so
they are the ones who have been included.
What You can spot with these 12 countries is that it seems to align quite a bit
with the foreign visits
that Secretary Rubio has made to the region.
This is not a theoretical or symbolic summit,
it’s a summit where countries that have already had successes
and
achievements in the area of security and that already have agreements with the
United States, such as for deportations, to work
together against drugs.
And what is the President’s plan for Cuba?
Today he said they are negotiating.
Is he talking
with the grandson of Raúl Castro?
What the President said today is nothing new
from what he has said in recent days.
President Trump said that Secretary Rubio is leading those
negotiations, those conversations and it is in the interest of the Cuban regime
to continue those negotiations.
We are not talking about who the partners are
with whom they are or the interlocutors with whom we are
talking with, Secretary Rubio
has not shared that.
Possibly it is to avoid jeopardizing
those conversations and discussions that are happening.
What the President did build clear is that
they should make the intelligent decision for their
people.
And if that pressure doesn’t work, does the President contemplate
attacking Cuba?
I don’t feel we can put words in the President’s mouth regarding what he may or may not consider doing in the
future.
I think Secretary Marco Rubio analyzes these situations very well and he
will be the one to advise
President Trump at the White House on the steps to take.
Miami, FL – President Donald Trump launched a new regional security initiative, dubbed the “Shield of the Americas,” during a meeting with Latin American leaders in Miami on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The initiative aims to bolster security, stability, and prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere, according to officials.
Speaking through Spanish-language spokesperson Natalia Molano, the administration emphasized the alliance is built on a doctrine of restoring U.S. Preeminence in the region. Molano stated the initiative focuses on “very specific objectives…under the framework of that Don Roe doctrine, which is restoring the preeminence of the United States in our neighborhood.”
While twelve countries were invited to participate in the summit, Molano indicated the door remains open for others to join in the future, depending on their alignment with the administration’s goals. “What we can see with these 12 countries is that it seems to align quite a bit with the foreign visits that Secretary Rubio has made to the region,” she said.
The administration also addressed ongoing negotiations with Cuba, led by Secretary Marco Rubio. President Trump has stated the Cuban regime’s interest in continuing those talks, though details of the discussions remain confidential. Molano explained the secrecy is intended to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing dialogue.
The launch of the “Shield of the Americas” comes amid heightened concerns over regional security and the flow of illicit drugs. The development underscores growing U.S. Engagement in Latin America and could influence future diplomatic talks with countries in the region.
U.S. Officials have denied reports of Mexico’s exclusion from the coalition, stating that opportunities for expansion exist.
Further details on the potential inclusion of Mexico can be found here.
The Department of State indicated that participation will depend on formal requests for assistance.
