Trump Administration Wages "War on Cartels" Using Military Blueprint Against Caribbean Traffickers

Trump's Approach to Cartels Mirrors Global War on Terror, Officials Say In a striking parallel to the global war on terror, the Trump administration has been using a military blueprint to target drug cartels in the Caribbean, with officials likening the effort to the campaign against Islamic extremists. The U.S. conducted military strikes in the Caribbean this month against what it said were drug boats, part of its campaign against cartels. The move was seen as a significant escalation in the administration's efforts to combat the flow of illicit narcotics into the United States. At a recent hearing on Capitol Hill, FBI Director Kash Patel celebrated the Trump administration's decision to designate several drug cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations in February. "This designation is a game-changer," Patel said. "It allows us to use all the tools at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle these organizations." The administration's approach has been compared to the U.S. campaign against Islamic extremists during the global war on terror, which began after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Officials say the strategy is effective in disrupting cartel operations and cutting off their funding. "This is a new era of cooperation between law enforcement agencies," said a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We're using all the tools at our disposal to take down these cartels and bring them to justice." The move has been welcomed by some lawmakers, who see it as a necessary step in combating the growing threat posed by drug cartels. "This is a critical step forward in our efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and disrupt the flow of illicit narcotics into our country," said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). However, others have raised concerns about the potential for unintended consequences, including civilian casualties and increased violence. "We need to be careful not to create more problems than we solve," said Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.). "We need to make sure that our actions are targeted and effective." The U.S. has a long history of targeting terrorist organizations, but the use of military force against drug cartels is a relatively new development. In recent years, the U.S. has been increasingly involved in counter-narcotics operations in Latin America, working with regional partners to disrupt cartel operations and cut off their funding. The Trump administration's approach has been seen as a significant shift in strategy, with officials saying that it allows for more effective use of military force against cartels. "This is not just about law enforcement," said the senior administration official. "This is about using all the tools at our disposal to take down these organizations and bring them to justice." The U.S. has conducted several military strikes in the Caribbean this month, with officials saying that they have been successful in disrupting cartel operations. However, the long-term effectiveness of the strategy remains to be seen, with some experts warning that it may not address the root causes of the problem. "We need to think about the underlying drivers of violence and instability in these regions," said Dr. Mark Schneider, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "We can't just use military force as a solution." The U.S. is expected to continue its efforts against cartels, with officials saying that they will work closely with regional partners to disrupt their operations. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the Trump administration's approach to cartels mirrors the global war on terror in many ways, and it remains to be seen whether this strategy will ultimately succeed in disrupting cartel operations. *Reporting by Npr.*