Trump Declares ‘Armed Conflict’ with Drug Cartels, Sparks Legal and Congressional Scrutiny

President Donald Trump has formally declared that the United States is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, labeling them “unlawful combatants” and “designated terrorist organizations.” This significant escalation in U.S. anti-narcotics efforts was revealed in a confidential memo obtained by ABC News on Thursday, detailing the administration’s rationale for recent military strikes.

The declaration follows a series of unprecedented U.S. military operations last month, which saw three deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean, two of which reportedly originated from Venezuela. The memo sent to several congressional committees asserts that the actions of these “nonstate armed groups” constitute an “armed attack against the United States,” necessitating the use of force in self-defense.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the aggressive stance, stating last month, “Interdiction doesn’t work. What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them.” The administration argues that designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) provides legal authority to target them militarily, shifting the issue from law enforcement to national security.

However, Trump’s determination has drawn immediate criticism and raised legal questions. Independent legal experts challenge the treatment of cartels as military combatants rather than criminals, emphasizing the due process protections required for the latter. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill, caught off guard by the notice, are reportedly interpreting it as the administration “essentially waging a secret war against secret enemies, without the consent of Congress.”

The memo specifically references a Sept. 15 incident where three individuals were killed on an alleged Venezuelan boat, asserting that U.S. actions complied with the law of armed conflict. It states the vessel was assessed to be affiliated with a designated terrorist organization and engaged in drug trafficking, posing a threat to Americans. The document indicates that U.S. forces remain positioned to continue military operations “as necessary.”

This move marks a dramatic intensification of the Trump administration’s campaign against illegal drug flows from Latin America, particularly amid accusations against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro for facilitating drug trafficking. While the FTO designation typically restricts financial support, its application to authorize lethal military force against criminal enterprises in this manner is legally ambiguous, fueling the growing debate over the scope of executive power in combating international crime.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.