U.S. Declares Armed Conflict with Drug Cartels Following Caribbean Strikes

President Donald Trump has declared that the United States is engaged in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels, designating them as unlawful combatants. This announcement follows recent U.S. military strikes on boats in the Caribbean suspected of drug trafficking.

A memo from the Trump administration, obtained by The Associated Press, states that the President has determined these cartels are non-state armed groups and has directed the Pentagon to conduct operations against them under the law of armed conflict. The memo emphasizes the necessity of using force in self-defense and the defense of others against ongoing attacks by these designated terrorist organizations.

The U.S. military conducted three lethal strikes last month against boats in the Caribbean, at least two of which originated from Venezuela. These operations resulted in the destruction of the vessels, the illicit narcotics onboard, and the deaths of approximately 17 individuals.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly commented on the actions, stating that the President acted in line with the law of armed conflict to protect the country from those attempting to bring deadly substances to U.S. shores. She added that the President is fulfilling his promise to confront the cartels and eliminate these national security threats.

Pentagon officials briefed senators on the strikes, leading to questions about the administration's legal framework and the role of Congress in authorizing such military actions. Some lawmakers have expressed concerns over the potential overreach of executive authority, noting the use of military force for law enforcement purposes.

Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, remarked that while drug cartels are despicable and must be addressed by law enforcement, the Trump administration has not provided credible legal justification, evidence, or intelligence for these strikes.

The administration has yet to clarify how the military assessed the boats' cargo and determined the passengers' alleged affiliations before executing the strikes.