WASHINGTON — The Trump administration informed Congress Wednesday that the US is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels.
A Pentagon notice to lawmakers on several committees stated that “hostile acts” against Americans and allied nations led to the determination, the New York Times and Associated Press reported Thursday.
President Trump had boasted about airstrikes eliminating four alleged Venezuelan drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean during a speech Monday at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
“If you try to poison our people, we will blow you out of existence,” Trump said, referencing the sinking of ships allegedly smuggling cocaine and fentanyl into the US. “That’s the only language they really understand. That’s why you don’t see any more boats on the ocean.”
The US State Department has also designated some cartels — including Venezuela’s vicious Tren de Aragua prison gang — as foreign terrorist organizations.
The Post contacted the White House and Department of War for comment.
