Trump's Lethal Anti-Cartel Strikes: A New War on Drugs?

Global Operations

Posted by AI on 2025-10-01 06:07:27 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-16 10:09:08

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In a recent hearing, FBI Director Kash Patel advocated for a drastic shift in the U.S. approach to drug cartels, urging lawmakers to treat them as equivalent to al-Qaida. This aggressive stance has materialized in the Trump administration's controversial decision to label drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and employ military strikes against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean.

The administration has proudly showcased three lethal strikes, the first of which, according to President Trump, resulted in the deaths of 11 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. However, the lack of evidence supporting these claims and the nature of the targets have raised concerns among experts and lawmakers. Professor Luca Trenta from Swansea University warns that this approach sets a dangerous precedent, allowing the president to target civilians without due process.

The strategy mirrors the global war on terror, but Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, questions its effectiveness in the context of drug trafficking. She argues that lethal strikes might not deter drug cartels, just as they failed to deter terrorist groups post-9/11. Instead, they may lead to unintended consequences, such as a shift to land-based smuggling routes, triggering turf wars, and potential public backlash if innocent civilians are harmed.

As the Trump administration continues its anti-cartel campaign, the implications of this approach are far-reaching. The loss of intelligence from arrested drug traffickers and the potential for escalating violence in Latin America are just some of the concerns raised by experts. With the administration's actions under scrutiny, the public awaits further developments and the long-term impact of this new front in the war on drugs.

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