Is the US Resuming Military Action Against Drug Cartels in Latin America?

A New Chapter in the War on Drugs

The haunting memories of the tragic 9/11 attacks on prominent US structures linger, even as various American administrations have largely scaled back what was once termed the “global war on terror.” With global focus shifting towards the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, the Trump administration has quietly initiated a renewed war on drugs, seemingly with the intent of regime change in several Caribbean nations.

A recent military operation targeting a suspected Venezuelan drug vessel in the Caribbean resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, signaling a shift in US tactics. This approach mirrors strategies previously employed against terrorist organizations and criminal groups in Latin America, aiming to destabilize governments viewed as threats to US interests. This military action followed the deployment of eight warships to the Caribbean and Pacific, marking a significant increase in military presence in the region. Officials from the Trump administration have hinted at the possibility of further military actions, aligning with Trump's campaign promise to confront drug cartels with military force.

Shortly after taking office on January 20, 2025, Trump’s administration classified several criminal organizations, including the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and specially designated global terrorists (SDGTs), equating them with groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Reports from last month indicated that Trump had authorized a secret directive for the Pentagon to engage militarily against these designated groups. Trump himself confirmed a “kinetic strike” against the Tren de Aragua narco-terrorists. The administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of having control over Tren de Aragua, a claim that is heavily disputed. Maduro has countered by accusing the US of attempting to instigate regime change in Venezuela, a notion that US officials have not outright denied, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth referring to it as a “presidential decision.” These rapid developments suggest that the Trump administration is poised to make significant changes in the longstanding US approach to the war on drugs and its relations with Latin America, alongside an increase in militarization.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's comments reflect a troubling attitude of interference in other nations' affairs. He stated that merely intercepting drug-laden boats would not suffice, insisting that the solution lies in destroying them. Experts argue that Venezuela does not produce drugs but serves as a transit point for narcotics from Colombia and Peru. The volume of drugs trafficked through Venezuela to the US is relatively small compared to other Latin American countries that align with US interests. This raises questions about whether the military action against criminal organizations in Venezuela is driven by motives beyond just combating drug trafficking. Furthermore, even if gang members are apprehended, they would face limited prison sentences.

Executing them without legal proceedings constitutes a war crime. The drug crisis cannot be effectively addressed through such unlawful measures. The US must enhance border security, halt the flow of arms to drug syndicates, and ensure that offenders are prosecuted. This renewed war on drugs appears intertwined with the Trump administration's stance on immigration, suggesting that conflating these issues may not yield effective solutions. The US should recognize that brute force is not always the answer.