Summary
Highlights
In September, a US military drone blew up a 12-meter wooden boat in the Caribbean Sea, followed by more similar strikes. Donald Trump claimed these actions targeted drug cartels and were part of a new strategy to blow them out of existence. However, most experts noted that the strikes were in the wrong locations for traditional drug trafficking routes, hinting at a different target.
The first modern drug cartel was formed by Pablo Escobar in the 1970s, making billions by the 1980s. The US, with military and law enforcement aid, helped dismantle the Medellin cartel. Despite continued military involvement by subsequent presidents, the demand for drugs kept cartels in business, leading to their evolution into more powerful and diversified criminal organizations, partnering globally and engaging in other crimes like human trafficking.
Trump's new plan involves military force, striking boats, and authorizing the CIA to operate inside Venezuela. He designated some criminal groups as 'terrorist organizations', broadening law enforcement's abilities. By claiming that drugs are killing Americans, Trump sought to classify cartels as combatants in a legal war, allowing military force against them. However, legal experts question the constitutionality, as only Congress can declare war, and the definition of combatants is typically reserved for those aiming to kill, not just sell drugs.
Trump deployed a significant military presence to the region and escalated his rhetoric by linking a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, to Nicolas Maduro, claiming the power to use military force in Venezuela. While some intelligence suggests Maduro tolerates the gang, he doesn't control it. Possible motives for Trump's focus on Venezuela include his past failed coup attempt, a desire to pressure Maduro over Venezuelan migrants, and potentially access to Venezuela's oil reserves, though he refused a previous offer.
Trump's 'war on cartels' has even fewer limits than the post-9/11 war on terror, lacking congressional authorization and claiming the power to kill suspected criminals. This broad claim extends to any group deemed dangerous to the US, potentially leading to an endless war against a multitude of actors. This approach sets a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing other nations to use military force against their own criminal problems, leading to severe human consequences.