President Donald Trump has declared that the United States is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels. Recent strikes targeted suspected smuggling boats off Venezuela, killing at least 14 people.
To protect the U.S., the cartels have been labeled “non-state armed groups” and “terrorist organizations.” Participants in cartel operations are now described as “unlawful combatants.”
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended the military action, insisting the president acted in accordance with the laws of armed conflict to prevent cartels from “bringing deadly poison to our shores.”
Venezuela strongly condemned the strikes, accusing Washington of breaking international law and heightening military tensions in the Caribbean. President Nicolás Maduro denounced the operations as a provocation intended to push for regime change.
