Trump's Secret Military Order: Direct Action Against Drug Cartels in Latin America
US President Donald Trump reportedly signed a secret order directing the Pentagon to carry out direct military operations against drug trafficking cartels in Latin America, as revealed this Friday by The New York Times, citing sources familiar with the decision. If officially confirmed, this measure would represent the most aggressive step of the Trump administration in its drug and hemispheric security policy.
The US newspaper notes that the order provides a legal basis for US Armed Forces to act unilaterally abroad without the need for Congressional authorization, under the argument that these groups have been designated as terrorist organizations. In February, the US leader designated the six major Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations: the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), the Northeast Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, United Cartels, and the New Mexican Family. The Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the Salvadoran gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS13) were also included. He argued that they represent a direct threat to national security.
In July, the Cartel of the Suns, allegedly led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, was added to the list, accompanied by a reward of up to 50 million dollars for information leading to his capture.
Sources who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity claim that the US military high command has already begun to draft plans on how to carry out these new operations. In this regard, it is evaluating whether it would be considered murder for US forces to kill civilians or presumed criminals who do not pose an imminent threat, especially in operations unauthorized by Congress.
The backdrop of this possible military action is Trump's fight against fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that, according to Washington, is primarily produced by Mexican cartels using chemicals imported from China. This drug has caused tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the US in recent years. Additionally, the government has increased the number of covert drone flights over Mexican territory to locate fentanyl labs. This program, which began under Joe Biden's administration, remains active, although The New York Times recalls that these operations are not authorized to use lethal force.
Meanwhile, police documents accessed by Reuters reveal that the FBI has asked local law enforcement agencies to send the names of individuals linked to drug cartels and gangs to the US government's terrorist watchlist. This would significantly expand the inclusion of US citizens in that register.
In an email dated May 9 and shared with agencies such as the National Sheriffs Association, the FBI requested information on individuals related to eight criminal organizations designated as foreign terrorist groups by the Trump Administration including MS13, Tren de Aragua, and the Sinaloa Cartel. They also urged the inclusion of information about family members and associates of these individuals.
According to the email, the FBI's Threat Detection Center will lead an initiative to assess which names should be added to the watchlist database. The memorandum also notes that 300,000 immigration records have been added to the National Criminal Information Center database, which could increase terrorism alerts in routine traffic stops or police checks.
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