Trump Authorized Use of Army Against Foreign Drug Cartels

US President Donald Trump has signed a directive authorizing military operations against drug cartels that the US administration classifies as foreign terrorist organizations.

The New York Times reports this with reference to people familiar with the matter.

The directive allows the US army to conduct military operations at sea and in foreign countries.

The newspaper notes that the directive requires a legal assessment, as it is unclear how the law will treat the ‘elimination’ of civilians who do not pose an immediate threat but are suspected of committing criminal offenses.

Prior to that, Trump deployed the National Guard and troops to the southwestern border to stem the flow of drugs and immigrants. In addition, he has stepped up drug surveillance and interdiction efforts.

In February, the State Department designated Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (known as MS-13), and several other groups as foreign terrorist organizations, saying they pose “a threat to national security beyond that posed by traditional organized crime.”

On Thursday, the Department of Justice and the State Department announced that the United States government was doubling the reward – up to $50 million – for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was facing drug trafficking charges.