Donald Trump, the self-proclaimed “anti-war” president who rose to power on a platform of ending endless conflicts, has taken a sharp turn in his foreign policy approach. In a surprising move, the commander-in-chief has set his sights on a new enemy: Latin American cartels and gangs.
In a bold move, Trump signed Executive Order 14157 in January 2025, officially designating eight notorious groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. This legal classification, typically reserved for groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, has now been extended to these criminal organizations in Latin America.
But the designation was just the beginning. By September of that same year, Trump had escalated from words to action, launching a series of missile strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea. The administration claims that these strikes have successfully taken out at least 43 individuals in 10 separate attacks.
The decision to use military force against these cartels and gangs has sparked controversy and criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Some argue that this is a necessary step in the fight against organized crime, while others question the legality and effectiveness of such actions.
Regardless of one’s stance on the issue, it is clear that Trump’s “anti-war” stance has taken a backseat in this new campaign. The president, who once promised to bring an end to endless conflicts, has now found himself embroiled in a new war.
Only time will tell how this latest development will impact the already tumultuous relationship between the United States and Latin America. But one thing is for sure, Trump’s actions have once again stirred up controversy and left the world wondering what will come next.
