Military operations authorized by Trump against Latin American cartels designated as terror groups
The United States government has taken significant steps to combat drug cartels in Latin America, designating several as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and authorizing military action against them.
In early 2025, the Trump administration initiated the designation of key Latin American drug cartels as FTOs. These groups include the Sinaloa Cartel, Carteles Unidos (Los Viagras), Tren de Aragua (from Venezuela), and MS-13 from El Salvador. This designation allows the U.S. government to use a broader range of tools against these cartels, including sanctions, intelligence operations, and potentially military action.
President Trump has signed a secret directive authorizing the Pentagon to prepare military options to combat these cartels. The directive enables the deployment of special forces, engagement in precision targeting, and support for intelligence operations at sea and on foreign soil where cartels operate. This shift in strategy treats drug trafficking as a form of terrorism, with officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing that these cartels are "armed terrorist organizations" rather than mere criminal enterprises.
However, this military approach faces significant resistance and skepticism from Latin American governments, notably from Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has explicitly rejected any U.S. military operations on Mexican soil, emphasizing cooperation but ruling out foreign military intervention. Analysts and experts have voiced concerns about the legality, practicality, and strategic clarity of a military approach against cartels abroad, citing international law issues and the high risk of backlash and diplomatic fallout.
Regarding Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. considers some Venezuelan-based criminal organizations as part of the broader anti-cartel effort. While Maduro himself is not designated as a terrorist, the U.S. considers Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., to be a link to Maduro. The U.S. Treasury and other agencies continue to coordinate sanctions and law enforcement measures against cartels and related criminal networks, including financial measures targeting cartel revenue streams and affiliated individuals.
As of mid-August 2025, the U.S. government's anti-cartel measures represent a significant escalation in the war on drugs. The Trump Administration has designated high-ranking members of Cartel del Noreste, a violent drug-trafficking organization in Mexico, as foreign terrorist organizations. The White House is determined to dismantle and destroy these cartels, with President Trump's top priority being the protection of the homeland.
The White House has also announced the extradition of 29 members of various Mexican drug cartels weeks after taking office. The New York Times reports that President Trump has designated Mexican cartels as foreign terror organizations. Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced a $50M bounty for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for various serious crimes.
Despite the controversy surrounding the use of military force against drug cartels, the Trump Administration remains committed to this strategy. Maduro is accused of using foreign terrorist organizations like TdA (Tren de Aragua), Sinaloa, and Cartel de Soles to bring deadly violence to the U.S. President Trump is considering using military force to combat these cartels classified as foreign terrorist organizations.
Yet, it is crucial to note that Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that the U.S. military will not be entering Mexican territory. This underscores the complexities and challenges in implementing a military approach against drug cartels in Latin America, requiring careful consideration of international law, diplomacy, and cooperation with regional governments.
- The designation of drug cartels by the Trump administration as foreign terrorist organizations extends to the Sinaloa Cartel, Carteles Unidos, Tren de Aragua, and MS-13, treating drug trafficking not just as a crime, but also as a form of terrorism in politics.
- General news outlets, including The New York Times, have reported that President Trump has designated Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, highlighting the connection of these groups to health concerns like drug addiction and related criminal networks in crime-and-justice issues.
- Despite the tense diplomatic relations, particularly with Mexico, the Trump Administration continues to push for a military strategy against foreign terrorist organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel, Carteles Unidos, and Tren de Aragua, as part of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Latin America.
