Summary
President Donald Trump notified Congress that the United States is in a formal armed conflict with drug cartels. The administration labeled cartel-affiliated drug smugglers as "unlawful combatants," which impacts how they are legally treated under international law. This announcement follows military actions in the Caribbean that resulted in 17 deaths.
Key Facts
- President Trump informed Congress of a formal armed conflict with drug cartels.
- The Trump administration calls drug smugglers linked to cartels "unlawful combatants."
- Under international law, these combatants can be killed, detained, and prosecuted without trial.
- Military actions in the Caribbean Sea resulted in 17 deaths and are seen as possibly legal under this new determination.
- The announcement was made in a confidential notice, reported by the New York Times.
- This new stance affects how U.S. military can engage with cartels and their affiliates.
