"President Donald Trump told Congress on October 2 that the United States is now formally engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels, which his administration has labeled "unlawful combatants" - an attempt to provide legal cover for unilateral action against civilians. Trump's announcement was made without a formal Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) from Congress and violates constitutional requirements saying that only the legislative branch can declare war."
"The news comes after the U.S. military illegally bombed at least three boats in the Caribbean Sea over the past month, claiming, without evidence, that they were targeting drug traffickers. The attacks killed 17 people and have been condemned by human rights organizations as "unlawful extrajudicial killings." Congress hasn't authorized any military action against cartels. Ordinarily, members of cartels are civilians, subject to the domestic criminal laws of the countries they operate in, and afforded due process."
President Donald Trump declared that the United States is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels and labeled cartel members "unlawful combatants." The declaration lacked a formal Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) from Congress and raises constitutional concerns about war-making powers reserved to the legislative branch. U.S. forces recently bombed at least three boats in the Caribbean, actions that killed 17 people and were described by human rights organizations as unlawful extrajudicial killings. The administration claims the strikes targeted drug traffickers without presenting evidence. Members of cartels are ordinarily treated as civilians subject to domestic criminal law and due process.
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