🚨 Big news from Washington! The White House told Congress that the U.S. is now in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels it has officially designated as terrorist organizations.
According to a White House memo, President Donald Trump decided these powerful cartels are “non-state armed groups” whose actions count as armed attacks against the United States. These groups aren’t just local gangs anymore—they’re transnational networks carrying out ongoing operations across the Western Hemisphere.
Although the memo didn’t name specific cartels, it did highlight recent U.S. military actions. Last month, American forces sank three boats in international waters south of the Caribbean, reportedly from Venezuela, leaving 17 people dead. The U.S. described those killed as “unlawful combatants,” calling the strikes an act of self-defense. 🌊🚤
Congressional Democrats were quick to push back. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, slammed the move as a decision to wage “secret wars against anyone [the president] calls an enemy.” He also argued that the administration offered no solid legal basis or evidence for the Caribbean attacks.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has ramped up its presence in the region, sending warships to the Caribbean and stationing over 6,500 troops, according to The New York Times. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accuses the U.S. of using cartel threats as a cover for regime change moves and military buildup in Latin America. 🔥
While some cocaine does pass through Venezuela, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration data show the country isn’t the main source of drugs headed north. But with this new designation, expect the U.S. to step up operations and stir more debate over its role in the drug war. 🌍💼
What’s next? Analysts say this could mark a tougher stance on transnational crime—but also risk further tensions in the region. Stay tuned as we track this developing story. 🔍✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
