Trump Authorizes Military Force Against Latin Cartels

President Donald Trump has secretly authorized U.S. military force against Latin American drug cartels labeled as foreign terrorist organizations, escalating his administration's approach to transnational crime. Pentagon officials are preparing plans for potential operations at sea and on foreign soil, though these raise significant legal and diplomatic concerns. The administration's designation now includes the Sinaloa, Jalisco New Generation, and Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles, expanding the list of targeted groups. Amid ongoing tensions, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected Trump's offer to deploy U.S. troops in Mexico, insisting on cooperation only within national borders. The White House and Pentagon declined to comment, while experts warn that unilateral U.S. military action could lead to serious international complications. This marks a major shift from previous U.S. policy, where military involvement in anti-drug efforts was mostly supportive rather than direct.