Trump announces the US is in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels

Trump Declares War on Drug Cartels

President Trump has announced that the United States is now at war with drug cartels, which the White House has classified as terrorist organizations. This declaration provides a legal framework for recent military actions taken against boats in the Caribbean, as detailed in a confidential notice sent to Congress.

In his assessment, Trump stated that the U.S. is “in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations.” This notice, which was shared with the National Security Council Committee, was obtained by The Hill.

“The President has directed the Department of War to engage these groups in alignment with the laws of armed conflict,” the notice read, referring to the rebranded Department of Defense. “The United States has reached a critical juncture where it must assert its strength in self-defense and protect others against ongoing assaults from these designated terrorist organizations.”

The New York Times first reported that this notice follows three military strikes by the Pentagon on boats associated with U.S.-bound drug trafficking. These attacks resulted in the deaths of all 17 individuals aboard the ship, two of whom were reportedly from Venezuela. The administration defended these actions as legal, though no public evidence has been presented indicating that the boats were carrying drugs.

Democrats, however, contend that Trump should seek congressional approval for any military operations of this nature.

The notification does not specifically identify the cartels recognized as terrorist organizations, and the Pentagon has not released a list of those included in this initiative.

The notification further emphasizes that U.S. laws require the current administration to inform Congress about any military actions or conflicts involving U.S. forces. It reiterates Trump’s previous assertions of acting in self-defense by targeting boats to “eliminate the threat posed by these designated terrorist organizations.”

Additionally, it introduces claims regarding the administration’s view of an ongoing armed attack against the United States.

“These groups unlawfully and directly lead to the deaths of tens of thousands of American citizens annually,” the notice claimed. “Thus, the president determined that these cartels function as non-state armed groups designated as terrorist organizations, with their actions constituting an armed attack against the United States.”

The notification also justifies the U.S. military’s recent strike on boats, particularly an operation that occurred on September 15.

“The vessel was identified by U.S. Intelligence as being connected to designated terrorist organizations and was involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs that could ultimately harm Americans,” it stated. “The strike successfully destroyed the vessel, along with illegal drugs, and resulted in the deaths of approximately three combatants.”

The United States asserts that it will persist in its military operations when necessary to protect American citizens from threats posed by these designated terrorist organizations.