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The Department of Defense declined to comment, deferring to the White House. A spokesperson said Trump remains committed to “protecting the homeland.” Newsweek reached out to the Mexican embassy for a response but received no reply.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration declared several cartels and criminal gangs as FTOs to counter their activities in the U.S., including fentanyl trafficking. Using military force against these groups would mark a significant escalation in enforcement, potentially impacting relations with both Mexico and Venezuela.
The move raises concerns over presidential overreach and legal questions about deploying troops without Congressional approval. A Cato Institute foreign policy researcher noted that previous efforts to combat drug cartels through partnered operations failed to eliminate them or reduce drug flow into the U.S., suggesting unilateral action would likely fail as well.
The primary justification for this shift is ongoing efforts to curb fentanyl smuggling, which continues to impact American communities and has been linked to thousands of deaths. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously declared eight groups as terrorist organizations, opening possibilities for military action against MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa, and Jalisco cartels.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the FTO designation, fearing it could infringe on Mexican sovereignty and potentially lead to U.S. troops crossing into Mexico. Trump’s latest order comes after designating the Venezuelan-based Cartel de los Soles as an FTO last month.
Experts warn that such a move could prompt dangerous blowback from cartels, putting American lives at risk in Mexico and Venezuela. Henry Ziemer, associate fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggested it might reignite debates on Capitol Hill about the use of military force bypassing Congress’s prerogative to declare war.
As of Friday afternoon, the Trump administration had not officially announced the directive, leaving unclear whether Congress would be consulted.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
What was the Department of Defense’s response when Newsweek reached out for comment regarding the Trump administration’s declaration of certain cartels as FTOs?
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