President Donald Trump has taken a decisive step in the war on drugs by authorizing the U.S. military to use force against drug cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). This classified directive represents a significant policy shift from reliance on law enforcement to direct military engagement in countering narcotics trafficking.
In a move to dismantle and destroy the operations of cartels like Venezuela's Cartel de Los Soles, Trump's order empowers U.S. forces to target cartel activities on land and at sea. A White House source explained, "The president is determined to not just dismantle — but completely destroy — Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro’s Cartel de Los Soles and obliterate their operations in the Western Hemisphere."
The U.S. State Department has listed several cartels as FTOs, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Cartel de Los Soles, as well as El Salvador’s Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). During the 2024 campaign, Trump hinted at the possibility of military strikes against cartels in Mexico, stirring a mix of support and criticism.
Since his office tenure, Trump has taken several hardline measures, including imposing higher tariffs on Canada and Mexico and directing immigration officials to focus on individuals linked to gangs. This latest military authorization aims at curbing the influx of fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S.
The administration also plans to seize cartel assets and redirect them to victims of cartel-related violence and migrant crime. A $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest underscores the focus on the Venezuelan regime.
This campaign is a collaborative effort involving the Defense, Justice, Homeland Security, National Intelligence, and Treasury Departments. Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly highlighted the administration's commitment, stating, "President Trump’s top priority is protecting the homeland, which is why he took the bold step to designate several cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations."
This initiative marks a new era in the battle against drug trafficking networks that have long plagued Latin America and affected U.S. communities. The effectiveness of this military involvement remains to be seen as the campaign progresses.
Fentanyl trafficking is deemed an act of war against the United States, prompting Trump to order the Pentagon to deploy armed forces against the cartels, as noted by Charlie Kirk in a recent tweet. The U.S.-Mexico border's security is now more directly linked to national security than ever before.
