NEWYou now have the option to listen to news articles!
Reports indicate that President Donald Trump has given authorization for military action against Latin American drug cartels that have been labeled as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States.
This decision, as reported by the New York Times, would allow U.S. forces to confront the cartels involved in trafficking drugs like fentanyl across the US-Mexico border.
“The president is resolute in his goal to not just dismantle, but completely eradicate, the operations of [Venezuelan dictator Nicolas] Maduro’s Cartel de Los Soles in the Western Hemisphere,” stated a source close to the White House as reported by the New York Post.
The effort to combat these cartels involves coordination among various departments including the Department of Defense, Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Treasury, according to the source.
“President Trump’s primary focus is on safeguarding the homeland, which is why he made the bold move to designate several cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations,” stated deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum clarified on Friday that the U.S. military would not be entering Mexican territory despite reports suggesting otherwise.
President Trump has previously mentioned the possibility of using military force against drug cartels to curb the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants across the southern border. He has also imposed sanctions on high-ranking members of Cartel del Noreste, a violent drug-trafficking organization in Mexico that is recognized as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.
In efforts to combat smuggling activities, the administration has leveraged the threat of tariffs to compel Mexico and Canada to actively participate.
In relation to Latin American cartels, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been singled out by the administration. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently announced a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
Following the extradition of 29 members of different Mexican drug cartels shortly after taking office, the White House emphasized the importance of holding these criminals accountable for their actions.
