Introduction to the Conflict
The United States is now in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels, according to a memo from the Trump administration obtained by The Associated Press. President Donald Trump has declared drug cartels as unlawful combatants. This designation was communicated to Congress by Pentagon officials, who notified them about the development on Wednesday. A person familiar with the matter, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the notification.
US now in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
The memo refers to cartel members as "unlawful combatants" and states that although friendly foreign nations have made significant efforts to combat these organizations, suffering significant losses of life, these groups are now transnational and conduct ongoing attacks throughout the Western Hemisphere as organized cartels. Therefore, the President determined these cartels are non-state armed groups, designated them as terrorist organizations, and determined that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States. Pentagon officials could not provide a list of the designated terrorist organizations at the center of the conflict.
FILE: President Donald Trump (Credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Implications and Concerns
The memo raises stark questions about how far the White House intends to use its war powers and if Congress will exert its authority to approve – or ban – such military actions. The Trump administration had previously justified the military action as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. Several senators, Democrats and some Republicans, as well as human rights groups questioned the legality of Trump’s action, calling it a potential overreach of executive authority in part because the military was used for law enforcement purposes.
US Strikes on Boats in Caribbean
The news follows recent U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean. Last month, the U.S. military carried out three deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean. At least two of those operations were carried out on vessels that originated from Venezuela. Those strikes followed a buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean. The first military strike, carried out on Sept. 2 on what the Trump administration said was a drug-carrying speedboat, killed 11 people. Trump claimed the boat was operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, which was listed by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year.
Big Picture View
The latest U.N. World Drug Report shows that various countries in South America, including Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, reported larger cocaine seizures in 2022 than in 2021, but it does not assign Venezuela the outsize role that the White House has in recent months. The impact of increased cocaine trafficking has been felt in Ecuador in particular, which has seen a wave of lethal violence in recent years linked to both local and transnational crime groups, most notably from Mexico and the Balkan countries.
Conclusion
The declaration of drug cartels as unlawful combatants and the designation of the situation as a "non-international armed conflict" marks a significant escalation in the U.S. approach to combating drug trafficking. The implications of this move are far-reaching, with questions about the legality of the actions, the potential for further military involvement, and the impact on relations with other countries in the region. As the situation develops, it will be crucial to monitor the actions of both the U.S. government and the drug cartels, as well as the responses of other nations involved.
FAQs
- What has the Trump administration declared regarding drug cartels?
- The Trump administration has declared drug cartels as unlawful combatants and stated that the United States is now in a "non-international armed conflict" with them.
- Why has the U.S. taken this action?
- The action is part of an effort to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, with the administration justifying the military action as a necessary escalation.
- What has been the response to this declaration?
- Several senators and human rights groups have questioned the legality of the action, calling it a potential overreach of executive authority.
- Have there been any military actions taken as a result of this declaration?
- Yes, the U.S. military has carried out strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean, with at least two operations targeting vessels originating from Venezuela.
- What is the international perspective on this issue?
- The latest U.N. World Drug Report provides context on the drug trafficking situation in South America, highlighting the complexity of the issue and the involvement of multiple countries.
