Trump Admin Tells Congress U.S. Now in Formal ‘Armed Conflict’ With Terrorist Drug Cartels

The Trump administration formally notified Congress on Thursday that the United States is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels, which officials have now designated as terrorist organizations.

“The President directed these actions consistent with his responsibility to protect Americans and United States interests abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to his constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive to conduct foreign relations,” the memo read.

The notice came as Democrats on key committees accused the administration of overstepping its authority in using the military against cartels, particularly after recent U.S. strikes on drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean.

“The cartels involved have grown more armed, well-organized, and violent,” the memo said. “They have the financial means, sophistication, and paramilitary capabilities needed to operate with impunity. They illegally and directly cause the deaths of tens of thousands of American citizens each year.”

The memo continued, “Although friendly foreign nations have made significant efforts to combat these organizations, suffering significant losses of life, these groups are now transnational and conduct ongoing attacks throughout the Western Hemisphere in the form of organized cartels. Therefore, the President determined these cartels are non-state armed groups, designated them as terrorist organizations, and determined that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States.”

The administration cited the September 15 strike on a drug-trafficking vessel as an example. “The vessel was assessed by the U.S. intelligence community to be affiliated with a designated terrorist organization and, at the time, engaged in trafficking illicit drugs, which could eventually kill Americans,” the memo said.

Trump has repeatedly pledged to unleash U.S. military power against the cartels, deploying additional forces to the Caribbean while authorizing a string of strikes on alleged drug vessels operating from Venezuela and elsewhere. In August, he approved the deployment of several Navy guided-missile destroyers to reinforce counter-narcotics operations in the region.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded by warning his country was prepared to strike back if attacked. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of playing a central role in a global “narco-terrorism” conspiracy, leading a cartel tied to cocaine smuggling, and fueling regional instability.

Maduro remains the subject of a Justice Department indictment and faces a $50 million bounty for his arrest.