President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to prepare military options against certain Latin American drug cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations. This directive, signed in secret, aims to provide a framework for potential military operations against these criminal groups.

U.S. military officials have begun developing plans for how the military could engage with these cartels. However, any unilateral military action raises legal concerns, particularly if civilians are harmed or if individuals not posing an imminent threat are targeted. The White House has not commented on the directive.

In May, Trump confirmed he had proposed sending U.S. troops into Mexico to combat drug cartels, but this offer was rejected by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. Sheinbaum stated, "We can collaborate. We can work together. But you in your territory and us in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army in our territory."

The Pentagon has referred all inquiries regarding the directive to the White House. A spokesperson emphasized that Trump's primary focus is on protecting the homeland, which led to the designation of several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation, made in February, includes groups like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on EWTN, noted that the terrorist designation allows the U.S. to utilize various means against the cartels, which he described as armed groups controlling territory. "We have to start treating them as armed terrorist organizations, not simply drug dealing organizations," Rubio said. He added that the designation enables the U.S. to target these groups using intelligence and military resources.

As the situation develops, questions remain about the specifics of the military options being prepared and the legal implications of potential actions against the cartels.