In a dramatic policy change, the Trump administration has designated Caribbean drug cartels as “unlawful combatants.” This designation comes against the backdrop of a series of military operations. These moves are symptomatic of increasing strain over the criminal intersection of drug trafficking and national security. The administration’s memo asserts that these cartels are “non-state armed groups” whose activities “constitute an armed attack against the United States.”
This announcement comes after a US military operation from late last month. That operation resulted in attacks on three vessels sailing through the Caribbean Sea. The heavy strikes were said to have killed 17 people, including civilians. More recently, the US government has zeroed in on these cartels. They’ve long been heavily implicated in drug trafficking and violence, particularly that which has been tied to Venezuelan government members.
On Venezuela, the Trump administration has gone after Nicolás Maduro in particular. They say he oversees the operations of Tren de Aragua, a transnational, Venezuelan-led drug trafficking gang. In reaction to these allegations, the US government increased its bounty on Maduro to $50 million at the beginning of this year. An active indictment against the Cartel de los Soles is waiting in abeyance in a Manhattan federal court. This latest move adds further confusion.
Intelligence assessments suggest that there is little supporting evidence for accusations of Maduro’s ties to Tren de Aragua. The administration still admits to only trying to overthrow his government based on their involvement in drug trafficking for decades.
Just last week, a former high-ranking Venezuelan military intelligence chief pleaded guilty to narco-terrorism charges. This litigation brings even more attention to the complex web of relationships between state actors and drug trafficking organizations. It is a welcome and profound shift from the Trump administration’s previous approach in the drug war. Now, instead of just criminal organizations, it focuses on political figures.
As part of its strategic response, the Trump administration has ramped up military presence in the Caribbean, deploying ships and personnel to Puerto Rico. This action demonstrates a deepening commitment to fighting what it sees as an increasingly important threat posed by these cartels.
“non-state armed groups” – Trump administration memo
“constitute an armed attack against the United States” – Trump administration memo
That designation also applies to a variety of other groups, notably including several Mexican cartels and the violent MS-13 gang. This detailed classification is intended to bring together appropriate efforts against these organizations. It’s illegal because it frames the whole issue as a “non-international armed conflict” under the laws of warfare.
In recent months, the administration has utilized the Alien Enemies Act to expel hundreds of immigrants to a notorious prison in El Salvador, underscoring its hardline stance against individuals associated with these crimes. Critics contend that this kind of effort doesn’t get to the heart of the problem. Furthermore, opponents of the law underscore its role in exacerbating issues of governance in Venezuela.
The picture is still evolving, as the US government adapts its foreign policy and domestic security response to evolving threats. International scrutiny is increasing. These classifications and military actions could affect future relations not only with Venezuela but with other regional partners involved in the drug trade, broadening their effects past the Caribbean.