During a cabinet meeting, US President Donald Trump announced the imminent commencement of airstrikes on ground targets in Latin America as part of a campaign against drug cartels.

Trump emphasized that such operations are significantly easier to organize on land, as American intelligence agencies have precise information about drug trafficking routes and bases. According to the head of state, this will be a continuation of efforts to disrupt the supply of fentanyl and other drugs to the United States, which have already led to attacks on ships in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean.

Earlier in August, Trump signed a secret directive authorizing the Pentagon to use military force against cartels designated as terrorist organizations. To date, more than 80 people on 21 vessels have been killed in the operations, prompting criticism from human rights activists and several Latin American countries.