Trump Convenes Latin Leaders at 'Shield of the Americas' Summit, Names Kristi Noem Special Envoy

President Donald Trump convened a multilateral summit called "Shield of the Americas" at his Trump National Doral resort in Miami.

“- Kristi Noem is leaving her post as Homeland Security secretary to become “special envoy” for the newly created Shield of the Americas, a “historic coalition of nations,” the State Department said”

AL

He presented it as a new Western Hemisphere security initiative to combat drug trafficking, transnational criminal networks and irregular migration while reasserting U.S. influence in the region.

AL

The meeting is billed as a gathering of roughly a dozen Latin American leaders.

It is explicitly framed around regional security, migration management and efforts to curb China’s influence in the hemisphere.

In a personnel shakeup tied to the initiative, Trump removed Kristi Noem from the role of Homeland Security Secretary.

He immediately named her Special Envoy to lead the Shield of the Americas.

Diario Libre

The White House said he will nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her.

Noem is slated to play a visible role at the Doral summit.

Trump announced the appointment publicly on social media.

Republican supporters have praised her border-security record as the rationale for the new post.

The move and the summit have drawn sharp criticism and ridicule from opponents and some Democrats, who point to controversies around Noem's tenure — including aggressive immigration operations, deaths linked to enforcement actions, and questions raised in congressional testimony about a costly ad campaign — as reasons to question her elevation.

“Following her recent removal as Secretary of the U”

Diario Libre

Critics bluntly mocked her new title and cited high‑profile clashes and fatal incidents tied to the department during her time leading it.

The composition of the summit underscores a political and geographic tilt.

It prominently features right-leaning, pro-Trump leaders and excludes major regional powers such as Brazil, Mexico and Colombia.

El Observador

Analysts say this choice could limit the meeting’s scope and signal a narrower, ideologically aligned bloc.

Observers contrasted the compact Doral gathering with past inclusive Summits of the Americas.

They warned the selective guest list may alienate key partners.

Administration officials and supporters cast Shield as part of a broader shift in U.S. policy toward a more assertive hemispheric strategy.

“"Shield of the Americas": 12 Latin American leaders attend summit convened by Trump in Florida Under the premise of his renewed "Donroe Doctrine," the U”

El Observador

Some coverage described the shift as a reassertion of American leadership and a kind of 'Donroe' approach to counter China.

EL PAÍS

Analysts warn regional governments may simply hedge between Washington and other powers.

The summit is being presented alongside other high‑profile U.S. moves in the hemisphere and global crises.

The White House has signaled the meeting will be used to announce concrete anti‑cartel and security measures.