Trump Issues New Directives for Military Action Against Foreign Drug Cartels
U.S.
President Donald Trump unexpectedly signed a new military directive that significantly alters the approach of American armed forces towards combating international drug trafficking.
The move paves the way for direct military operations against several Latin American organizations officially classified as foreign terrorist entities.
According to sources, the official document grants the Pentagon legal grounds to deploy military force both at sea and within foreign territories where these criminal groups operate.
This new policy allows targeted strikes and limited use of force aimed at dismantling drug cartels, marking a strategic shift in Washington’s global drug fight tactics.
Experts cautiously welcome this development but also raise legal concerns—particularly regarding the fate of civilians caught in such operations.
Since January 2025, Trump has intensified efforts against illegal drug smuggling, mobilizing the National Guard and regular troops along the southwestern border and declaring several Latin American gangs, including Tren de Aragua and MS-13, as foreign terrorist organizations.
Recently, the U.S.
added the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles to its list, accusing it of close ties to the Venezuelan government and President Nicolás Maduro.
Last week, a $50 million reward was announced for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, with Attorney General Pemi Bondi asserting he will face justice for his heinous crimes.
Historically, U.S.
military involvement in Latin America has often sparked controversy over legality—such as the 1989 invasion of Panama to arrest drug lord Manuel Noriega, condemned by the UN.
Over the past decades, Washington cooperated with Colombian and Peruvian authorities by providing intelligence to combat drug trafficking, but such operations have sometimes been criticized for violating international laws and norms.
Trump’s latest directive signals a bold attempt to intensify military engagement against transnational drug networks, with potential far-reaching political and legal consequences across the region and beyond.