Trump Declares 'Armed Conflict' Between US and Drug Cartels

President Trump this week said the US is in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels, which his administration designated terrorist organizations in February.

The Details: The administration sent a confidential notice to Congress saying, “The US has now reached a critical point where we must use force in self-defense and defense of others against the ongoing attacks by these designated terrorist organizations.” It ordered the Department of War–renamed from the Defense Department by Trump–to take military action against them in accordance with the law of armed conflict. According to the Hill (Center bias), the notice didn’t name any cartel organizations, and the Pentagon hasn’t provided a list of designated organizations that are part of this effort. Democrats insist Trump must seek war powers authority from Congress before conducting the operations.

For Context: On February 20, Trump signed an executive order designating eight drug cartels and other transnational organizations as terrorist groups. In September, the Trump administration launched two lethal strikes against Venezuelan boats it said were allegedly carrying drug smugglers, killing 17. The strikes raised legality concerns, and increased tension between the US and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who said he would deploy 4.5 million militiamen in response to the US’s increased military presence.

How the Media Covered It: New York Times (Lean Left) said the announcement “adds new detail to the administration’s thinly articulated legal rationale” for why previous strikes on boats in the Caribbean “should be seen as lawful rather than murder.” It quoted legal experts who said the announcement is “cementing [Trump’s] claim to extraordinary wartime powers.” Fox News (Right) quoted a part of the notice that said, “The President directed these actions consistent with his responsibility to protect Americans and US.” It said the notice comes as “Democrats have accused the administration of exceeding its powers to use the military against the cartels.”

Written by the AllSides staff of humans.