Trump orders Pentagon to prepare strikes against drug cartels in Latin America - NYT
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has issued a secret directive instructing the Pentagon to begin preparations for the use of military force against Latin American drug cartels, which his administration has designated as terrorist organizations, The New York Times reports.
According to the outlet, this decision is the most aggressive step taken by the Trump administration in its intensified campaign against drug cartels.
It demonstrates the US leader's willingness to involve the army in tasks that were previously considered exclusively police functions, in particular in the fight against the smuggling of fentanyl and other drugs.
The directive officially paves the way for direct military operations at sea and on foreign territory against cartels.
According to sources, the US military command is already developing options for how the armed forces can act against these groups.
However, involving the army in the fight against illegal drug trafficking raises legal questions, in particular: can it be considered "murder" when the US military kills a civilian (even a criminal) who does not pose an immediate threat outside of an armed conflict authorized by Congress?
US declares eight drug cartels as terrorist organizations
In February, the US State Department designated eight Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
As noted by US President Donald Trump in his executive order, the cartels and other transnational organizations threaten the security of the American people, the security of the US, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere.
