According to a New York Times report, President Trump has quietly signed a directive ordering the Pentagon to begin using military force against select Latin American drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations by his administration.
The decision to deploy the U.S. military marks the administration’s most aggressive move yet in its escalating campaign against Latin American drug cartels. It underscores President Trump’s continued willingness to use military force for what has traditionally been a law enforcement mission: stopping the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs.
The order authorizes potential direct military operations at sea and on foreign soil targeting cartel networks.
Military officials have begun drafting options for how such operations could be carried out, according to sources familiar with the classified discussions.
In February, the State Department designated Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (known as MS-13) and several other groups as foreign terrorist organizations, saying that they constituted “a national-security threat beyond that posed by traditional organized crime.”
Asked about Mr. Trump’s authorization for military force against the cartels, Anna Kelly, a White House spokeswoman, said in an email that “President Trump’s top priority is protecting the homeland, which is why he took the bold step to designate several cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations.”
Additionally, this week, AG Pam Bondi, the DOJ, and the State Department announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for trafficking deadly drugs into the U.S.
“Maduro uses foreign terrorist organizations like TDA, Sinaloa, and Cartel of the Suns to bring deadly drugs and violence into our country. To date, the DEA has seized 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro and his associates with nearly seven tons linked to Maduro himself,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Watch the clip below:
Today, @TheJusticeDept and @StateDept are announcing a $50 MILLION REWARD for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. pic.twitter.com/D8LNqjS9yk
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 7, 2025
This story is developing…
Trump Directs Military to Target Foreign Drug Cartels https://t.co/iE6ImjVMJM
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) August 8, 2025
