President Donald Trump has reportedly directed the Pentagon to use military force against drug cartels in Latin America, marking an extreme escalation that could further isolate the U.S. and cause more global instability.

The New York Times first reported the directive on Friday, citing sources familiar. The details of the order are scant, but the military has reportedly begun exploring options for going after certain cartels, sources said.

The Times reports that the order “provides an official basis for the possibility of direct military operations at sea and on foreign soil against cartels.” Reuters confirmed the existence of the order, but said that military action is not imminent.

The order comes after the Trump administration designated several cartels as global terrorist

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