HELENE COOPER, MAGGIE HABERMAN, CHARLIE SAVAGE AND ERIC SCHMITT

New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Trump has secretly signed a directive to the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain Latin American drug cartels that his administration has deemed terrorist organizations, according to people familiar with the matter.

The decision to bring the U.S. military into the fight is the most aggressive step so far in the administration's escalating campaign against the cartels. It signals Trump's continued willingness to use military forces to carry out what has primarily been considered a law enforcement responsibility to curb the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs.

The order provides an official basis for the possibility of direct military operations at sea and on forei

See Full Page