Trump Secretly Ordered Pentagon to Use Military Force Against Latin American Cartels

Secret Military Orders Against Cartels

• 📰 The New York Times reports President Trump has secretly ordered the Pentagon to conduct military actions against some Latin American drug cartels.
• 🎯 This directive follows the administration branding several cartels as terrorist organizations.

Justification for Designation

• 🗣️ Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that cartels cannot be treated as mere local street gangs due to their weaponry and territorial control.
• 🔗 Rubio highlighted the connection between cartels and the Maduro regime in Venezuela, describing it as a criminal enterprise.
• 🇲🇽 Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that America is not coming to Mexico, indicating a rejection of direct US military intervention.

Escalation in the War on Drugs

• 📈 This move represents a major escalation in the fight against drugs, building on previous actions like fentanyl tariffs and border crackdowns.
• 💰 Cartels are described as well-funded with stable income and significant weaponry, raising questions about the pretext for military force.
• 🗣️ When asked about sending the military to Latin America, President Trump stated, "We're playing a tough game."

White House Staffing Changes

• 🏛️ In other news, Billy Long was removed as IRS chief after two months and is expected to be given an ambassadorship to Iceland.
• 🔄 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant will serve as the acting commissioner of the IRS.
• 🧩 The administration is consolidating major roles, with individuals like Secretary of State Marco Rubio also serving as national security advisor and archivist, and Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessant now also acting as IRS chief.