The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition forum was held in the Dominican Republic, bringing together representatives of defense and law enforcement agencies from 19 Western Hemisphere countries. Meeting participants worked on developing a unified action plan aimed at combating transnational drug cartels and narco-terrorist networks operating in the region. The forum served as a platform for coordinating efforts among states facing a common threat from organized crime linked to illegal drug trafficking. The coalition's goal is to develop a coordinated approach to countering cross-border criminal structures that pose a threat to security and stability in the countries of the region. Details of the specific measures that will be included in the final plan have not yet been disclosed, however, the very fact that such a meeting took place indicates growing concern among Western Hemisphere countries about the scale of drug cartel activities and their influence on regional security.