Trump's Orders To US Soldiers Attack Latin American Drug Cartels Not In The Near Future

JAKARTA - United States (US) President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to prepare options for deploying troops in eradicating drug cartels in Latin America.

White House spokesman Anna Kelly said the move followed Trump's move to classify the Latin American cartel as a terrorist organization.

"President Trump's top priority is protecting the country, which is why he is taking bold steps to designate several cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations," he told ABC News, quoted Sunday, August 10.

However, a US official source admitted the possibility of using US military assets to slaughter cartels would not have happened in the near future.

Previously, The New York Times exclusively reported that Trump had signed a secret order instructing the Pentagon to use military force to eradicate cartels.

According to The Times, US troops already have legal instruments to carry out direct and unilateral military attacks in foreign territory against cartels.

After the news emerged, reporters asked Trump about a few hours later.

Asked if he would send US troops to Latin America to confront cartels, Trump insisted the US was playing hard with criminals.

"Well, Latin America has many cartels and they have a lot of drug trafficking. So, you know, we want to protect our country. We have to protect our country. We haven't done it for four years. And we love this country like they love their country. We have to protect our country," Trump said.

"So, you know, we are playing hard, but we will soon give further statements about it," he added.

Separately, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said his government had been notified of Trump's intentions.

However, he denied that Trum's decisive move was not based on any military involvement or institution in Mexico regarding the cartel. "There is no risk they will attack our territory," Claudia said.

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