The Trump administration issued a memo to Congress on Thursday asserting that the United States is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels, labeling them as “terrorist organizations.” The document stated that President Donald Trump directed actions to protect American citizens and interests abroad, citing his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief. It cited escalating threats from cartels, including their “financial means, sophistication, and paramilitary capabilities,” and claimed they directly cause the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually.

The memo outlined military operations against designated terrorist groups, including strikes on drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. On September 2, Trump announced a strike that killed 11 individuals aboard a vessel, claiming they were members of the Tren de Aragua narcoterrorist group linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. A separate strike on September 15 reportedly killed three “terrorists” aboard another vessel. Venezuelan authorities disputed the administration’s claims, stating those killed were not affiliated with the targeted group.

The White House emphasized that cartels operate as transnational entities, conducting attacks across the Western Hemisphere. The memo framed the conflict as a response to sustained hostile actions against U.S. interests, though Democratic lawmakers criticized the administration for overstepping its authority in deploying military force against drug cartels.