Trump Declares War on Venezuelan Drug Cartels, Designating Them as Terrorists
A classified document from the U.S. Department of Defense reveals that former President Donald Trump designated Venezuelan drug cartels as armed groups engaging in terrorist activities. According to the document, these cartels' drug smuggling into the United States constitutes an act of war, justifying military action.
Legal Basis for Military Action
The document was issued to Congress following a U.S. military operation in the Caribbean Sea last month, where at least three suspected Venezuelan drug-running vessels were sunk, resulting in at least 14 deaths. The Pentagon document outlines the legal justification for the U.S. military's actions, labeling the deceased civilians as “illegal combatants.”
The document, obtained by The New York Times and other media outlets, states that the president determined that these drug traffickers are non-state armed groups. They are defined as terrorist organizations. The document further states that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States.
According to the document, Trump declared that the U.S. is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with these terrorist organizations. Consequently, he ordered the Department of Defense to invoke relevant armed conflict laws to take action against them.
Criticism and Controversy
The legality of the U.S. military actions in September was already under scrutiny. The release of this document raises questions about its potential use as a legal basis for future military operations. Some U.S. observers argue that the document merely "repackages old problems with new explanations." They also state that it does not provide the president or the military with greater legal authority to kill civilians.
Jack Reed, the Democratic leader of the Senate Armed Services Committee, posted on social media, "All Americans should be wary that Trump has decided that he can arbitrarily label enemies and then secretly declare war on them."
He added, "Drug cartels must be stopped, but declaring war without congressional approval, without public knowledge, and without a legal basis, and ordering deadly military operations is unacceptable."
White House spokesperson Kelly responded to media inquiries, stating that Trump acted under the laws of armed conflict to defend the nation from the flow of deadly drugs and prevent more Americans from being killed.
Venezuela's Response
The Venezuelan government declared on Thursday that it detected five U.S. military fighter jets “illegally intruding” 75 kilometers from its coast. The Venezuelan Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement strongly condemning the illegal intrusion of U.S. military fighter jets into Venezuelan flight information region as a provocative act. They also said it seriously endangers civilian and commercial aviation safety in the Caribbean and threatens Venezuelan sovereignty.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Lopez said that U.S. military fighter jets did not enter Venezuelan airspace. He stated, "These imperialist planes dare to fly close to the Venezuelan coast, but they will not scare us."
Lopez also released a video to the media showing the Venezuelan military destroying drug and weapons caches hidden by Colombian rebels in the forests bordering Colombia. This action contrasts with its past tolerance of these armed groups. Some observers suggest that Venezuelan President Maduro's move may be an attempt to appease Trump.