Evan Ellis - Strategic Considerations for Strikes Against Terrorists in Latin America

Dear Colleague:

I have written the enclosed article strictly on my personal time, and in my personal capacity, reflecting on the potential adverse consequences of the U.S. use of lethal strikes against designated terrorist organizations in Latin America, in the interest of policies which most effectively pursue the nation’s interests and strategic objectives.

The work argues that lethal kinetic strikes, while tactically effective and sometimes necessary, increase the risk of adverse consequences in five areas:

• Adversary adaptation that reduces U.S. visibility or effectiveness;

• Fragmentation and violence that degrades partner-government capability;

• Heightened mistrust that diminishes future cooperation;

• Potential political change toward less cooperative governments more open to U.S. adversaries; and

• Erosion of U.S. goodwill and strategic position in the broader global competition.

This work is not meant to address the moral or legal considerations of such strikes, but rather, respectfully advocates that policymakers take such risks into consideration when weighing the net utility of such actions…and if it is determined that such stikes are appropriate and necessary, that consideration be given to preparing for or mitigating such potential adverse consequences.

The link to the English-language version of the article is available here:

The link to the Spanish-language version of the article, is available here:

The link to the English-language version of the article, published by United Press International, is here:

• https://www.upi.com/Voices/2026/06/19/latam-us-strategic-consideration-for-us-strikes-latin-america/3401781910794/.

The link to the Spanish-language version of the article, published by El Pais (Cali, Colombia) is available here:

• https://www.elpais.com.co/opinion/columnistas/consideraciones-estrategicas-sobre-los-ataques-estadounidenses-contra-terroristas-en-america-latina-2119.html

Podcasts and other Media Appearances

I would also like to share with you my latest podcasts, media appearance and radio shows. These include my extended Spanish-language interview with Jen Garcia on the program "Lideres del Mundo Hispano” on February 19, 2026:

• Democracias al límite: El alarmante informe del Dr. Evan Ellis sobre México, Colombia y Brasil

They also include my latest segments on Latin America on the John Batchelor Show (June 18, 2026):

• Bolivia: https://audioboom.com/posts/8918460-the-normalization-of-crisis-in-bolivia-guest-professor-evan-ellis-professor-evan-ellis-reports

• Colombia and Peru elections: https://audioboom.com/posts/8918461-security-challenges-in-colombia-and-political-transitions-in-peru-guest-professor-evan-ellis-e

• Brazil and Venezuela: https://audioboom.com/posts/8918462-the-criminal-landscape-in-venezuela-and-regional-politics-guest-professor-evan-ellis-ellis-det

• El Salvador: https://audioboom.com/posts/8918463-bukele-s-security-transformation-of-el-salvador-guest-professor-evan-ellis-professor-evan-elli

Website for all Publications:

As always, at my professional website you can access these, and past publications, webinars and podcasts:

• REvanEllis.com

Latest Book on China-Latin America:

My latest book, China Engages Latin America: Distorting Development and Democracy, is available through my publisher Palgrave-Macmillan, at:

• https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-96049-0

Please feel free to share this post with a friend or colleague. If you would like to be included in my (always free) distribution list, I welcome the opportunity to include you:

Thank you, as always, for your interest in my work.

Respectfully,

R. Evan Ellis, PhD

Latin America Research Professor

U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute

@REvanEllis

Website: https://revanellis.com