The Trump administration has confidentially notified Congress that President Donald Trump has concluded that the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, permitting the targeting of these groups’ members as unlawful combatants.
The document states, “The President has classified these cartels as non-state armed groups, labeled them as terrorist entities, and deemed their actions as armed attacks against the United States.”
It continues, “Accordingly, considering the collective impact of their hostile activities against U.S. citizens, interests, and allied nations, the President has concluded the United States is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with these identified terrorist factions.”
The designation essentially puts drug cartels in the same legal category as terrorist groups like Al Qaeda or the Islamic State.
Trump noted on Truth Social that the U.S. military recently targeted several boats from Venezuela suspected of carrying drug traffickers and narcotics that pose a threat to Americans.
The Congressional notification outlined potential measures available to Trump against cartels, referencing a September 15 incident in which “around 3 unlawful combatants” were killed.
The White House has defended the strikes.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly remarked on Thursday, “The President’s actions align with the law of armed conflict, aiming to protect our nation from those bringing lethal substances to our coasts. He remains committed to dismantling these national security threats and preventing further American casualties.”
NBC News reported last month that the administration is considering strikes on drug cartels inside Venezuela.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has denied any role in drug trafficking and has repeatedly alleged that the United States is trying to force him from power.
Many critics of the strikes, including congressional Democrats and some Republicans, maintain the administration still does not have the legal authority to target the drug cartels using the U.S. military and that it remains a law enforcement matter relying on interdiction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also acting national security adviser, has declared interdiction efforts ineffective.
