U.S. document redefines "enemy" from Latin America to Europe

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new  "counterterrorism" strategy that reprioritizes Washington to put Latin America's drug cartels at the forefront of threats, along with human trafficking networks and groups described as "extremist."

According to a  16-page official document released by the White House  signed by Trump, the focus comes on what it calls "neutralizing terrorist threats inside and outside the United States," with a clear pledge to "dismantle the networks that fuel violence, organized crime, and the introduction of drugs into U.S. soil."

 Dismantling drug trafficking networks    

According to the document, which was unveiled by international media today, the strategy expanded the scope of threats to include what it describes as "violent left-wing extremism," including groups linked to gender identity issues, arguing that these currents could constitute an incubator for violence within the United States.

 The document quotes Trump as designating criminal cartels as "terrorist organizations," and the strategy notes that Washington has already resorted to using military tools against networks suspected of being linked to drug trafficking, as part of what the administration describes as "protecting national security."

The document prioritizes dismantling smuggling networks and armed groups active in the Western Hemisphere, particularly those linked to drugs, irregular migration and human trafficking, with the aim of "preventing drugs, criminal elements, or victims from reaching the United States."

The document also talks about a multi-tool strategy, including drying up sources of funding, intensifying intelligence operations, and targeting maritime smuggling routes.

White House counterterrorism adviser Sebastian Gorka said in a statement that the shift is based on what he called "simple calculations," explaining that more Americans have been killed by drugs than the U.S. military has died in conflicts since World War II.

Gorka added  that the administration "will not allow the cartels to kill Americans on a large scale," whether by drying up funding or tracking offshore smuggling networks.

Alongside the cartels, the strategy has expanded the scope of threats to include what it describes as "violent left-wing extremism," including groups linked to issues known as "gender identity" in the United States, arguing that these currents could constitute an incubator for violence within the United States.

According to press reports, this expansion of the security definition of terrorism is sparking debate within U.S. political and legal circles about the limits of the term's use.

Sharp Messages Towards Europe

The most controversial part of the document was directed at Europe, where the strategy considered that the continent was facing a "civilizational decline" linked to migration and global politics, warning that the "growing growth of foreign cultures" could increase the potential for terrorism.

The document said that Europe, despite being the "cradle of Western civilization," is required to take urgent action to "stop the deliberate retreat," noting that the continuation of current policies could exacerbate security risks.

In contrast, the strategy stressed that European countries remain a "key long-term partner" in the fight against terrorism, but stressed that "a strong Europe makes the world safer, while its weakness opens the door to threats."

This strategy comes in the context of a broader trend by the Trump administration to reformulate national security priorities, months after a similar rhetoric that spoke of "civilizational erosion" in Europe due to immigration, in addition to the escalation of European criticism of Washington's policies on various international files, including the Iran file and NATO relations.

U.S. Defense Strategy Redefines Allies

On January 23, 2026, the United States published the National Defense Strategy document in a 34-page report, signed by the U.S. War Department.

In an international moment characterized by intensifying crises and overlapping geopolitical theaters. At first glance, the document may seem like a continuation of a long-standing American tradition of producing periodic strategic texts that regulate the Pentagon's priorities, but an in-depth reading, beyond the major headlines and technical jargon, reveals that the report holds much more than that.

The U.S. strategy, according to international media, carried  an indirect political declaration of redefining alliances, specifically in the Middle East and North Africa. The document does not explicitly say that Washington is withdrawing from the region, nor does it declare the end of traditional alliances, but it does do what is more sensitive: changing the nature of the relationship.

According to this strategy, Washington has positioned itself to be the "conditional partner" that provides support, but in exchange for clear roles, direct responsibilities, and increased burdens by the allies themselves. Washington has shifted its weight to another geographical area dictated by international changes and the balance of power, especially the conflict with China.