(The Hill) — President Donald Trump has reportedly signed a directive for the Pentagon to start using military force against certain drug cartels that have been designated foreign terrorist organizations.
The New York Times reported that Trump signed the directive in secret, providing a justification for potential military operations against the criminal organizations.
The Times reported that U.S. military officials have started drawing up plans for how the military could target cartels. But any unilateral strikes against the groups could also raise legal issues if individuals are killed who do not pose an imminent threat or who are not part of a conflict where Congress has authorized military action.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump upon taking office took executive action to designate several drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which provided additional law enforcement tools to crack down on their activity.
The president confirmed in May that he had offered to send U.S. troops into Mexico to combat drug cartels, but he was rebuffed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.
“We can collaborate. We can work together. But you in your territory and us in ours,” Sheinbaum said at the time. “We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army in our territory.”
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