Trump Announces U.S. is at War with Drug Cartels | WPN World People News

Multiple U.S. media outlets reported that on the 2nd, President Donald John Trump submitted a classified report to Congress, stating that the United States is currently at war with drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations. According to the report, the situation has reached a critical point, and the U.S. must resort to military force in self-defense. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López responded by saying that five U.S. fighter jets were detected near the Venezuelan coast, calling it an act of illegal intrusion and provocation that seriously endangers aviation safety in the Caribbean region.

The classified report, delivered to congressional committees by the Pentagon, aims to justify the legality of attacking drug cartels. It includes details of Trump’s September order to carry out operations in the Caribbean against illegal vessels. However, the report does not specify the names of the cartels involved in armed conflict with the U.S., nor the dates or regions affected. It does state that those killed in the operations were classified as unlawful combatants, drawing significant public concern.

In September, U.S. drones were used to sink at least three suspected smuggling vessels off the coast of Venezuela, resulting in at least 17 deaths. This has sparked widespread criticism regarding the legality of using military force against drug trafficking suspects, with accusations that Trump is abusing presidential power. Both Democratic and Republican senators and representatives have voiced strong opposition, urging that the administration act in accordance with the War Powers Act and refrain from using military force without congressional authorization.

Venezuelan Defense Minister López issued a strong statement condemning the U.S., saying that on the day of the conflict, at least five U.S. military aircraft were detected in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region. Although some of the aircraft did not enter Venezuelan airspace, their presence posed a serious threat to Venezuela’s national sovereignty, violated international law, and breached the International Civil Aviation Convention. He added that Venezuela would appeal to the United Nations, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and Latin American and Caribbean nations to take necessary measures to prevent such actions from happening again.