Politics

Maduro indicted by nation corrupted Venezuela institutions to assist cartel's narco-trafficking scheme into United States

U.S. military's Northern Command expanded surveillance of border

Rubio accused Maduro of stealing elections

Military could instead transfer any prisoners to Justice Department for prosecution in civilian court

In February Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired top lawyers for military services or judge advocates general

Administration has also largely sidelined Office of Legal Counsel Justice Department arm that traditionally serves as a powerful gatekeeper in American government

Senate confirmed Earl Matthews to be Pentagon general counsel T Elliot Gaiser to lead Office of Legal Counsel

Covert program began under Biden administration intensified under Trump vowed more aggressive action against Mexican cartels

C.I.A. not authorized to use drones to take lethal action officials do not envision employing that option

U.S. military not entering Mexican airspace

United States stepped up secret drone flights over Mexico to hunt fentanyl labs

Labeling cartels as terrorist groups allows United States to use other elements of American power to target these groups if opportunity exists Marco Rubio said

Imposing sanctions against a group by declaring it a terrorist entity can block its assets make it harder for its members to do business or travel but does not provide legal authority for wartime-style operations targeting it with armed force

Congress legally authorized use of military force against Al Qaeda after terrorist attacks of Sept 11 2001 but that authorization does not extend to any and all groups executive branch calls terrorists

The Navy has long participated in intercepting vessels in international waters that are suspected of smuggling drugs.

Naval ships typically perform law enforcement operations under command of a U.S. Coast Guard officer

Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 generally makes it illegal to use the military to perform law enforcement functions

Military provided equipment aircraft to former Drug Enforcement Administration squads that mentored deployed with local antidrug officers in Honduras

The program ended in 2017

Congress modified U.S. law to permit such assistance.