President Donald Trump has formally designated South American drug cartels as unlawful combatants and declared that the United States is engaged in an “armed conflict” with them. This follows recent U.S. military strikes on suspected cartel-operated vessels in the Caribbean, signaling a significant shift in the use of presidential war powers.
An internal memo from senior administration officials frames drug trafficking as an act of war rather than solely a criminal matter. The memo claims the U.S. is in a non-international armed conflict with these groups and authorizes the Department of Defense to operate under the law of armed conflict. This classification effectively treats cartel members as enemy combatants, a status typically reserved for wartime enemies.
The memo asserts the U.S. has reached a point where force is necessary for self-defense against these groups. This approach marks a shift from Trump’s previous focus on minimizing foreign military engagements and raises constitutional questions about the scope of executive authority in declaring and conducting military operations.
National security experts have expressed concern over the legal and global implications of this move. Critics argue it may stretch international law and enable targeting cartel members with lethal force or indefinite detention without trial, potentially bypassing Congress and altering long-standing military norms.
Military operations under this framework are already underway. In September, U.S. forces conducted strikes on three boats in the Caribbean, reportedly destroying drug shipments. The deployments involved significant naval assets, highlighting the administration’s commitment to combatting cartel threats through military means.
Congress has been briefed on the legal rationale behind the strikes, but lawmakers have shown concern over executive overreach. While the administration frames this as essential national defense, critics caution it could lead to prolonged military involvement without clear limits or legislative oversight.
