Hey fam, big news: the White House has told Congress they’re officially in a “non-international armed conflict” with major drug cartels. 🚨 That’s right—they’ve now labeled these cartels as terrorist groups, calling their cross-border operations an “armed attack” on the US.
Here’s the lowdown:
- Designation: President Trump sees cartels as non-state armed groups posing terrorist threats.
- Scope: These cartels aren’t just local gangs—they’re transnational networks hitting targets across the Western Hemisphere.
- Recent Strikes: Last month, US forces sank three boats south of the Caribbean (allegedly linked to Venezuela), resulting in 17 deaths. The White House calls them “unlawful combatants” and justifies the strikes as self-defense. ⚔️
- Pushback: Congressional Democrats are raising red flags. Senator Jack Reed slammed the lack of clear legal justification and evidence, warning against “secret wars.”
- Regional Build-up: The Pentagon now has over 6,500 troops and multiple warships in the Caribbean, fueling debates on US involvement in Latin America. 🌎
- Venezuela Angle: President Nicolas Maduro accuses the US of using the cartel threat as a pretext for regime change. Yet, DEA reports say Venezuela isn’t a main source of US-bound cocaine.
What’s next? With tensions rising, this move could reshape how nations tackle global crime syndicates. Stay tuned for more updates! 🌐✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
