U.S. President Trump Authorizes Military Action Against Latin American Drug Cartels
On August 8, 2025, The New York Times reported that U.S. President Donald Trump signed a secret order mandating the Pentagon to deploy military force against drug cartels in Latin America, marking the most assertive action taken by the Trump administration against such organizations, which have been labeled as terrorist groups since January.
The presidential directive establishes a legal framework for U.S. armed forces to conduct unilateral military operations on foreign soil targeting these cartels. Sources indicate that senior U.S. military officials have commenced drafting operational plans, raising substantial legal concerns regarding the implications of potentially harming civilians or those deemed as non-imminent threats, particularly without congressional authorization, reports 24brussels.
This escalation reflects Trump’s extensive campaign against fentanyl trafficking, a synthetic opioid primarily produced by Mexican cartels that utilize Chinese chemical components, contributing to a significant rise in overdose deaths across the United States. In February, Trump classified several groups, including the notorious Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), as terrorist organizations.
Currently, the U.S. government is executing covert drone surveillance over Mexico to monitor fentanyl production facilities, a program that was initiated under former President Biden’s administration, yet remains restricted from conducting lethal strikes.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed a willingness to collaborate with the U.S. on security issues while firmly insisting on the respect of her nation’s sovereignty.
