President Donald Trump has taken a bold step by directing the U.S. military to target certain Latin American drug cartels, which have been classified as foreign terrorist organizations. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to combat the fentanyl crisis and the activities of transnational criminal gangs. By defining cartel operations as a national security threat, the Pentagon is now empowered to take action both within the country and internationally.
This directive follows an executive order from the beginning of Trump’s second term, pushing the State Department to label these cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist entities. Back in 1987, federal DEA agents in Chicago displayed large amounts of cash, drugs, and weapons seized during raids, highlighting the ongoing battle against drug trafficking. In February, the State Department identified eight such groups, including MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, as threats.
The Treasury Department has also taken action by designating Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity. This cartel, led by President Nicolás Maduro and his top officials, has been under increased scrutiny, with a $50 million reward now offered for Maduro’s arrest. Recently, Maduro was greeted by a supportive crowd during a campaign event in Maracaibo, Venezuela, underscoring the political tensions.
The U.S. government has identified six major Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, including the notorious Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that this new designation allows the U.S. to employ military and intelligence resources against these groups. Rubio stated, “We have to start treating them as armed terrorist organizations, not simply drug dealing organizations.”
This shift in policy paves the way for potential U.S. military operations, such as naval missile strikes on cartel targets and enhanced cooperation with Mexican authorities. With over 10,000 service members stationed at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Pentagon has set up three National Defense Areas in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to bolster security. Aerial images have captured the intricate network of tunnels used by cartels to smuggle drugs.
The Department of Justice has already acted on these new designations in legal proceedings. In June, it unveiled an indictment against a Mexican national accused of aiding the Jalisco New Generation Cartel by supplying grenades. Similar charges were brought the previous month, marking a new era of legal action against cartel affiliates.
The administration has also leveraged the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to dismantle cartel-linked financial networks. The Treasury’s FinCEN has ordered U.S. banks to sever ties with three Mexico-based financial institutions involved in laundering money for cartels. These measures aim to disrupt the flow of funds that facilitate fentanyl production.
However, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly rejected any U.S. military presence in Mexico. She firmly stated, “The United States is not going to come to Mexico with the military… We cooperate, we collaborate, but there is not going to be an invasion.” Despite being informed in advance, Sheinbaum insists that no U.S. troops will set foot on Mexican soil.
Some critics in Washington have questioned the legality of Trump’s directive, particularly concerning the president’s power to command military action without congressional approval. Under the War Powers Resolution, a president can deploy forces abroad for a limited time without formal authorization, provided Congress is notified.
Historically, U.S. presidents have exercised similar authority. For instance, President Obama authorized military intervention in Libya in 2011 without Congress’s consent, and launched airstrikes against ISIS in Syria and Iraq in 2014, operating under existing legal frameworks. President Trump has made it clear that his administration will not tolerate fentanyl trafficking and cartel activities at the southern border.
His decision to use military force against these cartels underscores his commitment to securing the nation. The move has sparked debate over its implications for U.S.-Mexico relations and the broader fight against drug trafficking. As the situation develops, the administration continues to focus on dismantling cartel operations through decisive action.
