White House Labels Cartels as Terrorist Groups, Sparks Debate
The U.S. has officially declared a 'non-international armed conflict' against drug cartels, designating them as terrorist organizations in a controversial White House memo. The move, reported Thursday, frames cartels as transnational threats conducting 'ongoing attacks' across the Americas 🌎.
Military Action & Backlash
Last month, U.S. forces sank three boats near Venezuela, killing 17 people labeled 'unlawful combatants.' Critics like Senator Jack Reed accuse the Trump administration of waging 'secret wars' without clear legal justification. Meanwhile, over 6,500 U.S. troops have reportedly deployed to the Caribbean, raising regional tensions ⚔️.
Venezuela Fires Back
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claims the U.S. is using cartel threats as a 'pretext' for military expansion in Latin America. However, a 2020 U.S. DEA report notes Venezuela isn’t a major drug source for America, complicating the narrative 📉.
What’s Next?
With Congress divided and legal questions swirling, this escalation could redefine how global powers tackle organized crime—and test international law’s limits. Stay tuned for updates as tensions simmer 🔥.
