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Trump Declares US in Non-International Armed Conflict With Drug Cartels

Trump's administration labels Venezuelan cartels as terrorist groups and justifies military strikes that have killed at least 31 cartel members in the Caribbean, citing national security threats.

  • On Thursday, President Donald Trump declared drug cartels unlawful combatants and said the U.S. is in a non-international armed conflict, according to a Trump administration memo.
  • The move follows three deadly strikes last month on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea, which the Trump administration called necessary to stem cocaine shipments linked to 100,000 overdose deaths annually.
  • On Sept. 2, the first strike killed 11 people, at least 31 died overall and more than 4,500 U.S. personnel are operating in the region.
  • Congress was notified on Wednesday by Pentagon officials, and lawmakers pressed Trump to seek war powers or drafted resolutions to halt further strikes amid concerns of potential executive overreach.
  • On Tuesday, Trump suggested decisions could come within weeks as officials said the administration is considering new military action against cartels from Venezuela, with Patel stating, "We must treat them like the al-Qaidas of the world because that's how they're operating.
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Georgia Public Broadcasting broke the news in Georgia, United States on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
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