President Donald Trump has designated drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). That designation allows for a more focused and intense use of law enforcement and military capabilities against these malign organizations to help stem the flow of drugs as well as human trafficking into the United States. As part of this effort, over the last several months, the US Navy has deployed guided missile destroyers in the waters off the coast of Central and South America, specifically Venezuela.
In February, when the US State Department listed a group of Mexican and Venezuelan drug cartels as FTOs, there was probably little understanding among the drug thugs of what that meant. Following a ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump left no doubt as to what being an FTO means. In a Truth Social post, he explained:
“Earlier this morning [Sept. 2], on my Orders, US Military Forces conducted a kinetic strike against positively identified Tren de Aragua [TdA] Narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. TDA is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, operating under the control of Nicolas Maduro, responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and acts of violence and terror across the United States and Western Hemisphere. The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in international waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States. The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action.”
At this writing, no details are available on what type of weapon was used. A video that accompanied Trump’s post depicted a missile strike on a laden, three-engine-powered speedboat moving swiftly in the southern Caribbean just outside Venezuela’s territorial waters. For even the fastest marine vessels, outrunning the US forces’ missile capability is a futile effort. Taking out the drug boat represents the seriousness with which the Trump administration views narcoterrorism.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Catholic news outlet EWTN, “Those cartels extend from the Maduro regime in Venezuela – which is not a legitimate government; we don’t recognize the Maduro regime as legitimate … You find TDA – what people would call street gangs, but actually are operating as criminal enterprises, but very well-organized ones.”
A host of helicopters and several P-8 Poseidon aircraft, pressed into duty for maritime patrol and surveillance and reconnaissance against narcoterrorism operations, make up the air assets. The sea and airborne forces include 4,500 ground troops, though no evidence yet suggests a land attack is planned. There is little doubt that the Trump administration intends to significantly diminish the activities of the drug cartels or eliminate them as a threat completely.
There are, of course, critics of any decisive action taken by the United States against international terrorists. Many believe it is illegal for American defense forces to chase down and apprehend or kill outside the United States. That is debatable. What is true, however, is that there is precedent. As The New York Times recalls, “In 1989, President George H.W. Bush sent more than 20,000 troops into Panama to arrest its strongman leader, Manuel Noriega, who had been indicted in the United States on charges of drug trafficking.” The US military not only took down Noriega but also engaged in pitched battles with opposing Panamanian combat forces to enable the arrest.
The most impressive message coming from the interdiction of the TdA drug runners is: “You are no longer considered a pesky criminal street gang. You and the other drug cartels are international terrorists and will be dealt with accordingly.” Be on notice.
The views expressed are those of the author and not of any other affiliate.