That's what it's about

• US President Trump plans to deploy the military against drug cartels in Latin America.
• The cartels have been classified as foreign terrorist organizations by the US government.
• Critics warn of legal and ethical problems in implementing this plan.

According to insiders, US President Donald Trump has secretly ordered the Pentagon to use military force against certain Latin American drug cartels. The affected groups were previously designated by his administration as foreign terrorist organizations. In doing so, Trump is going far beyond the previous approach of viewing drug enforcement as the responsibility of law enforcement.

The order allows for direct military operations at sea and abroad. Military officials are already developing operational plans, as the New York Times reports. However, the measure raises sensitive legal questions—for example, whether the killing of civilians without an imminent threat would be considered murder. It is unclear whether government lawyers have yet comprehensively reviewed the action.

National Guardsmen and soldiers already at the border

At the beginning of the year, Trump deployed National Guardsmen and soldiers to the southwest border to curb drug smuggling and migration. He also ordered the State Department to designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

Venezuelan and Mexican groups such as Tren de Aragua and the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) are particularly targeted. Two weeks ago, the US government also added the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles, allegedly led by President Nicolás Maduro, to the terrorist list.

On Thursday, Washington doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million. He faces drug trafficking charges in the US. Attorney General Pam Bondi described him as a cartel boss and promised he would be held accountable for his heinous crimes.

What do you think about the use of the US military against drug cartels?

This is clearly a necessary measure to combat drug trafficking. The move is fine as long as clear rules are followed. It's a legally questionable step that could lead to escalation. I just want to see the results.

The Department of Defense has not commented on the leaked plans. Critics warn that unilateral military strikes against cartels would represent a massive escalation and bring the US military into direct confrontation with well-armed, financially powerful organizations. Previous US military operations in Latin America also operated on the fringes of legality—but were declared at the time to be supporting law enforcement.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has already responded to the US plans on X – and clearly ruled out a US invasion of Mexico. The United States will not invade Mexico with military force. We are cooperating and working together, but there will be no invasion; that is out of the question, said Sheinbaum. She explained that this was made clear in all phone calls.