This week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood firm in defense of the Trump administration’s military approach toward Latin American drug cartels. He accused Democrats of jeopardizing U.S. national security during a press conference on December 17, 2025. Rubio asserted that the greatest immediate threat to the United States comes from Venezuela and allied criminal organizations operating within the Western Hemisphere.
When it comes to the Western Hemisphere, the single most serious threat to the United States… is from transnational terrorist criminal groups, Rubio declared. His comments underscore a stark shift in the administration’s strategy as U.S. military action intensifies in the region. This comes as a response to what the administration perceives as a growing partnership between Venezuela and international drug traffickers.
Since September, U.S. forces have engaged in offensive military operations against vessels suspected of narcotrafficking, a departure from traditional Coast Guard interdictions. These direct attacks employ lethal force without the usual protocols of arrest or trial for suspects. Accessing military authority under the War Powers Resolution allows a more aggressive stance against drug organizations now labeled as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). This classification gives military forces the ability to treat these groups as enemy combatants.
Rubio stressed the seriousness of this classification. President Trump is sending a very clear message, he stated. These are not just criminals—they are terrorists, and we will treat them as such. This characterization aims to justify the administration’s more aggressive use of military assets in combating drug cartels.
A pivotal incident occurred on September 2, 2025, when U.S. warplanes struck a boat allegedly linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals. President Trump labeled those killed as terrorists killed in action, stirring controversy over the legality and morality of such military actions. Critics have raised concerns about potential violations of international law, specifically regarding the lack of warnings and Coast Guard involvement, which traditionally oversees maritime law enforcement. Legal experts have highlighted a troubling circumvention of Executive Order 12333, which prohibits government assassinations.
Rubio dismissed these criticisms. He argued for proactive measures in the battle against drug trafficking. You don’t wait until the cancer spreads to treat it, he stated emphatically. This is not a law enforcement problem anymore; it’s a war. His comments reflect the administration’s stance that urgent action is necessary to confront this perceived threat to national security.
The administration’s approach has grown more intense, further demonstrated by its recent declaration of fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction. With fentanyl-related overdoses claiming over 73,000 American lives in 2022 alone, the severity of the crisis has prompted a reevaluation of how to address it militarily. The December 16 designation of Clan del Golfo as a terrorist entity exemplifies the administration’s ongoing efforts to bolster its military posture, even in the face of legal scrutiny.
The formation of the new U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command and the deployment of over 4,000 troops near Venezuela indicate a historical military buildup in the region. These moves are coordinated under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and General Joseph A. Ryan, signaling a robust commitment to counter drug cartels.
While the U.S. government maintains that the Maduro regime enables and profits from these criminal activities, Venezuelan authorities deny any direct connections to cartels. Rubio counters these arguments, citing extensive intelligence gathering, satellite imagery, and testimonies from defectors as evidence of Maduro’s collusion with terrorist organizations. He states, The Maduro regime doesn’t just look the other way—they’re in business with these terrorists.
Reports detail the logistics of drug trafficking in Venezuela, including cocaine shipments traversing military airfields and protective measures afforded to cartels by corrupt officials. The Trump administration has responded with sanctions targeting key figures in Maduro’s inner circle while blocking their oil shipments.
Additionally, the U.S. has pursued tactical partnerships in the region, designating Peru as a Major Non-NATO Ally and establishing military access agreements with the Dominican Republic. However, relations with Colombia have soured under President Gustavo Petro, leading to its decertification as a partner in anti-drug efforts.
Support for the administration’s strategy remains strong among Republican lawmakers, exemplified by Senator Charles Grassley’s backing of Rubio’s emphasis on the threats posed by narco-terrorists. On the other hand, Democratic leaders have raised alarms about the rapid military deployments and potential overreach in terms of war-making powers.
Rubio has firmly rejected such concerns. Who do the Democrats want us to negotiate with? The cartels? he questioned. This is not the time for weakness. He emphasized the urgency in dismantling these networks to prevent further violence from spilling into American cities, characterizing this effort as essential for survival.
The administration’s strategy marks a significant shift, blurring the lines between domestic law enforcement and military interventions. The consequences of this approach could be profound, potentially leading to expanded military operations across the Caribbean and Central America. While concerns about human rights and international norms are raised, Rubio insists that action is necessary to combat the dangerous tide of drugs affecting American families. Thousands of families are burying loved ones because of fentanyl and cocaine streaming in from the south, he remarked. This isn’t politics. This is survival. And the President will not hesitate to act.
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