The Caribbean war?
The United States has significantly escalated the scope of the conflict against the drug cartels in Latin America and the Caribbean.
President Donald J. Trump has shifted the National Security priorities, and is now deploying assets to secure its primary sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere, notably in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In this sense, the Trump administration has reportedly declared – in an internal memo – drug cartels to be ‘unlawful combatants’, further declaring the United States to be in ‘armed conflict’ with them.
This follows a large naval siege of Venezuela, and recent U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea.
Associated Press reported:
“The memo appears to represent an extraordinary assertion of presidential war powers, with Trump effectively declaring that trafficking of drugs into the United States amounts to armed conflict requiring the use of military force — a new rationale for past and future actions.
‘The President determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations’, the memo says. Trump directed the Pentagon to ‘conduct operations against them pursuant to the law of armed conflict’.
‘The United States has now reached a critical point where we must use force in self-defense and defense of others against the ongoing attacks by these designated terrorist organizations’, the memo says.”
“The U.S. military last month carried out three deadly strikes against boats in the Caribbean that the administration accused of ferrying drugs. At least two of those operations were carried out on vessels that originated from Venezuela.
Those strikes followed up a buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean unlike any seen in recent times. The Navy’s presence in the region — eight warships with over 5,000 sailors and Marines — has been pretty stable for weeks, according to two defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations.”
POTUS notifies Congress: U.S. engaged in “noninternational armed conflict” with drug cartels, designates as “unlawful combatants” (NYT)
New SOUTHCOM map and update:
– U.S. Special Operations mothership MV Ocean Trader confirmed in theater, spotted off St. Croix
– USS Truxton… pic.twitter.com/mB8hDLMgUJ— Ian Ellis (@ianellisjones) October 3, 2025
BANNON: Marines off Venezuela, 3 vessels taken out, was that the trigger?
IBBOTSON: Yes. Pentagon officials told Congress, “We’re at war with non-state actors, whether it’s Tren de Aragua in Venezuela or the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. We’re going to war, kinetic, against these… pic.twitter.com/DFpSXl6fRB— Grace Chong, MBI (@gc22gc) October 2, 2025
UPDATE:
Lethality and warfighting:#Marines load ordnance on @USMC F-35B Lightning II fighters during training in the Caribbean. U.S. forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the #SOUTHCOM mission, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and @POTUS’ priorities. @SecWar @MARFORSOUTH pic.twitter.com/SBmFtmVcK4
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) October 3, 2025
Read more:
Top US Officials Working With Venezuelan Opposition to Overthrow Dictator Nicolas Maduro: NYT
Read the full article here