President Donald Trump’s recent crackdown on cartels in Latin America is catching many, particularly from the cartel-affected nations, off guard.
In early August, Trump permitted US forces to classify Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, subsequently deploying military resources to the Southern Caribbean aimed at curbing cartel operations. This led Mexico and Venezuela to scramble to develop a unified response, with Mexico attempting to satisfy Trump’s demands. Simultaneously, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro issued an indirect threat to the United States.
A senior official at the State Department stated, “The Trump administration is committed to protecting its homeland from the threat posed by foreign cartels.” They emphasized that Secretary Rubio is focused on the primary diplomatic goal of ensuring the safety of Americans.
On social media, Secretary Rubio noted that the administration is employing all possible measures to safeguard the wellbeing and prosperity of the American people against these groups.
Just days after Trump seemingly endorsed military action against the cartels, Mexico extradited 26 individuals to the US. These included prominent figures from notorious drug trafficking and human smuggling organizations, such as leaders from both the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
For a long time, Mexico has wrestled with a plethora of drug cartels, with issues stretching from rural areas to the heart of Mexico City. Corruption ties between these cartels and the Mexican government have allegedly reached the offices of President Claudia Sheinbaum, with former officials implicated in drug trafficking.
The debate surrounding potential US intervention has grown so pronounced that Mexican senators have found themselves in heated discussions regarding how to deal with the possibility of US military engagement against the cartels.
On the other hand, Maduro has strongly opposed the deployment of US forces near Venezuela’s international waters. Officially, this US mission targets the cartels. In response, Maduro asserted he would “protect our oceans, our sky, and our lands,” insinuating a vague threat regarding US intentions.
Following this, on August 19, Maduro mobilized militia forces across the nation to safeguard Venezuelan territory. In addition, Venezuela has been bolstering its defense with its own naval assets in light of the US military presence in the region.
The US has dispatched three Aegis-class destroyers to the Southern Caribbean, all equipped with guided missiles.
From the start of the Trump administration, measures have been taken to classify drug cartels as foreign terrorist entities, emphasizing their status as significant threats to national security, according to a White House official.
In Venezuela, multiple gangs and cartels are operational, a situation exacerbated by the country’s violent prisons. This is now causing issues extending toward the American coastline under the current administration. The US Treasury has labeled the Cartel de los Salles as a crucial player in this crime wave, leading to sanctions and military operations in the Caribbean.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent reaffirmed the commitment to enforcing policies targeting violent groups, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua, as part of a strategy to prioritize American safety.
