USA in war against drug cartels: Trump declares armed conflict!

USA in war against drug cartels: Trump declares armed conflict!

In a rapid reversal of U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump has classified the U.S. as being in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels. He announced this in a confidential communication to various committees of the US Congress. The drug cartels, which are also classified by the government as “unlawful combatants,” have long been the focus of the authorities. Some of these groups have been officially declared terrorist organizations. Radio Herford reports from the first military operations that took place in the last few weeks and in which 17 people were killed. The US Army particularly targeted the Venezuelan drug gang Tren de Aragua, which was classified as a foreign terrorist organization at the beginning of the year.

But what is really behind Trump's decisions? The president classified the attacks as necessary measures against “terrorists,” but this was heavily criticized by legal experts. The legal framework of these military interventions remains unclear. As one expert notes, there is a clearly visible difference between the sale of dangerous goods and an armed attack.

US military and drug cartels

The military operations set up for this purpose are causing quite a stir, especially because of the extensive powers that Trump could gain by classifying it as an “armed conflict”. While official authorities consider the measures against the drug cartels to be necessary, many are skeptical about the implementation and legal basis of the operations. Reports of the attacks so far say they have had a devastating impact on the affected communities.

In addition to military action, Trump has promised to actively combat arms smuggling as part of a deal with Mexico. Loud daily news Around 70 percent of the weapons in Mexico come from the USA, which makes the problem seem even more complex. It is estimated that around 200,000 guns are illegally smuggled from the United States to Mexico every year. This flood of weapons contributes significantly to the violence in the neighboring country, where men, women and children suffer daily under the circumstances of the drug wars.

The level of violence

Examples of the alarming situation in Mexico are countless. For example, a mayor was assassinated just six days after taking office, while a group of 18 people disappeared and 11 of them were found dead. In the Guerrero region, an estimated 22 criminal groups are fighting for dominance, further increasing the spiral of violence. The Mexican government has already filed a lawsuit against major gun manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson, Baretta and Colt to clarify their responsibility for the illegal arms trade. The lawsuit is currently before the US Supreme Court.

The agreement between Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also calls for Mexico to send 10,000 soldiers to the border, while the US promises to take action against the arms trade - although there are no concrete plans. A peace activist also warned that arms smuggling often occurs in small quantities and is often supported by corruption and inadequate security structures.

The situation remains tense and the question arises: Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? While the U.S. government attempts to counteract it through military and diplomatic means, the reality on the streets of Mexico remains a shocking example of the challenges in the fight against drug cartels and arms smuggling.