Recent military actions by the United States against Venezuela have heightened tensions in Latin America. The US executed a significant military operation over the weekend, leading to the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro. This escalation has raised alarms across the region.
In a subsequent statement, US President Donald Trump warned other Latin American governments—including Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico—against their alleged complicity in drug trafficking, emphasizing his intent to safeguard US interests in the Western Hemisphere.
Latin America’s Military Strength Amid US Tensions
Understanding the military capabilities of Latin America is essential in this context. The US boasts the strongest military globally, with a budget of $895 billion in 2025. This figure alone surpasses the total military spending of the next ten countries combined, constituting approximately 3.1 percent of the US GDP.
Military Rankings in Latin America
According to the 2025 Global Firepower rankings, several key Latin American nations possess varying levels of military strength:
- Brazil: Ranked 11th globally, it has the most powerful military in the region.
- Mexico: Ranked 32nd globally.
- Colombia: Ranked 46th globally.
- Venezuela: Ranked 50th globally.
- Cuba: Ranked 67th globally.
These countries’ military capabilities are significantly overshadowed by the US across various metrics, such as active military personnel, combat aircraft, tanks, naval assets, and overall defense budgets. The US maintains overwhelming superiority, especially in conventional warfare scenarios.
Paramilitary Forces in Latin America
Interestingly, some Latin American nations have large paramilitary forces that often operate alongside regular military units. These groups employ unconventional tactics, functioning outside traditional military structures. Notably:
- Cuba: Hosts the world’s third-largest paramilitary force, with over 1.14 million members. These include state-controlled militias and defense committees aimed at supporting the regular army.
- Venezuela: Pro-government armed groups known as “colectivos” reportedly assist in enforcing political control.
- Colombia: Though officially disbanded, many right-wing paramilitary groups have resurfaced as criminal organizations.
- Mexico: Drug cartels act as powerful paramilitary forces, challenging governmental authority.
Long History of US Interference
The US has a long-documented history of interference in Latin America. This involvement spans over two centuries, often justified by protecting corporate interests. Notable events include the Banana Wars in the early 20th century and more recent interventions during the Cold War, where US-backed operations aimed to topple democratically elected governments.
In 1989, the US invaded Panama in “Operation Just Cause,” targeting President Manuel Noriega under the pretext of drug trafficking, exemplifying the complex and fraught relationship between the US and Latin America.
As tensions rise amid military actions and political rhetoric, the future of US-Latin America relations remains uncertain. The balance of military strength and the influence of unconventional forces will play a critical role in regional stability.
