Washington — President Trump has directed the military to target drug cartels in Latin America, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to CBS News.

It's not clear if or when the military could take action.

The news was first reported by The New York Times .

Since returning to the White House for a second term, Mr. Trump has undertaken efforts to target drug cartels in Latin America, which he has said are behind the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs across the southern border and into the U.S.

Mr. Trump signed an executive order at the start of his second administration that directed the State Department to designate cartels and transnational gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. The State Department in February announced the designation for eight gangs, including M

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