Trump Declares U.S. in Armed Conflict With Latin American Drug Cartels

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has formally declared that the United States is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with Latin American drug cartels, a move that strengthens the legal basis for recent military strikes on alleged cartel operatives.

In a notification sent to Congress this week, the Pentagon stated that the U.S. has reached “a critical point where we must use force in self-defense and defense of others against the ongoing attacks” carried out by the groups.

Trump has previously designated several cartels as terrorist organizations, underscoring his administration’s aggressive stance on cross-border drug operations. The latest declaration signals an escalation in Washington’s strategy, placing cartel-related operations in the same legal category as armed conflicts with militant groups.

The announcement follows reports of U.S. strikes targeting suspected drug-runners from Venezuela, part of an expanded campaign to disrupt cartel activity across the region.

The New York Times was the first to report the administration’s move on Thursday.