The United States has designated Mexico’s Juarez Cartel and Los Alegres group as foreign terrorist organizations, marking a major escalation in Washington’s fight against drug cartels. The US State Department said the groups were involved in attacks affecting American citizens and interests, including a 2019 attack that killed nine members of the Mormon community in Mexico.

US designates Mexican cartels as terror groups in major drug war escalation

India’s security agencies claim that Shahzad Bhatti functions as more than just a gangster. Investigators allege he acts as a conduit between criminal syndicates and extremist operatives, and uses social media and encrypted communication platforms to expand his reach across India.

Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti emerges as key figure in India’s anti-terror investigations

The action was taken in connection with a case initially registered by the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and later transferred to SIA Kashmir for specialised investigation after the probe revealed wider links involving terror financing and cross-border narco-terror operations.

SIA Kashmir attaches property of PoJK-based LeT operative in major narco-terror case

The United States has carried out a strike on a vessel in the Caribbean, killing four people, as part of an ongoing campaign against what the Trump administration calls “narco-terrorists.”

US Southern Command said the vessel was operating along known drug trafficking routes and was linked to designated terrorist organisations. The military described the operation as a “lethal kinetic strike.”

The strike is part of a wider US campaign launched in 2025 targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels across the Caribbean and Pacific. Officials say the operations are aimed at disrupting cartel networks, though critics argue there is limited public evidence to support the claims.

According to reports, the latest attack adds to a growing toll from similar strikes, with over 160 people killed since the campaign began.

The operations mark a significant escalation in Washington’s approach, framing drug cartels as part of an “armed conflict” and justifying military action beyond US borders.

US Strike on Caribbean Vessel Kills Four as Trump Targets “Narco-Terrorists” | WION

The US-led Americas Counter Cartel Coalition seeks to combat drug cartels through joint military action across Latin America. This is already raising fears of a new regional drug war that could escalate tensions. Violence, displacements and threats to sovereignty could follow

Americas Counter Cartel Coalition: Will the US drag Latin America into another needless ‘war on drugs’?

Narco-terrorism is the use of drug money to fund political violence. Trump says Nicolás Maduro for leading a narco-terrorism conspiracy, alleging he runs the 'Cartel of the Suns'. Donald Trump accused Maduro of using cocaine as a weapon to attack the US. 

What is narco-terrorism, and why did Trump say Nicolás Maduro is leading it?

Trump said the US is preparing to launch land strikes against alleged drug traffickers across Latin America, calling it the next phase of his campaign after boat attacks. Here's what he said.

Trump says US will launch lethal land strikes in Latin America 'very soon,' Hegseth vows boat strikes 'only just begun'

This comes amid reports that the US is set to launch a new phase of operations related to Venezuela in the coming days as US President Donald Trump’s administration escalates pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

US formally lists Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles as ‘foreign terrorist organisation’ – Is it even a ‘cartel’?

The U.S. has launched a major military operation targeting what officials describe as “narco-terrorist” networks responsible for cross-border violence, trafficking, and armed incursions. The campaign marks a dramatic escalation in America’s security strategy, raising questions about regional stability, international law, and how far Washington is prepared to go. Here’s the full breakdown of the operation and its stakes.


U.S. Unveils Military Operation Against 'Narco-Terrorists' 

Earlier this week, the US expanded its military presence in the region by positioning its aircraft carrier strike group as part of its campaign against drug cartels, the Navy’s Fourth Fleet announced Tuesday (Nov 11).

‘Drugs are killing our people...’: Hegseth announces ‘Operation Southern Spear’ – What is it?

A US airstrike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday (Nov 1), Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed.

US strike kills 3 in Caribbean, critics say ‘no justification under international law’

Overnight, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO), trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean Sea, said US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday.

Fresh US strike on Venezuelan gang’s drug-smuggling boat kills 6 narco-terrorists, says Hegseth

US President Trump on Truth Social announced that the two survivors of a semi-submersible “drug-carrying submarine” US destroyed in the Caribbean would be sent to Ecuador and Colombia. 

Trump says two 'narcoterrorists' from destroyed drug submarine to be repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador

When pressed directly on the explosive question of whether he had secretly given the CIA authority to “take out” Maduro, Trump sidestepped and labelled the query "ridiculous".

‘Ridiculous question’: Trump dodges question on whether he ordered CIA to 'take out' Maduro

Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif's close aide has admitted that drones are being used to send drugs into India. Priyanka Sharma brings you a report on Pakistan's narco-terrorism.

Gravitas: Pak official admits drones are dropping drugs in India | Pakistan's narco-terrorism exposed

India has for long accused Pakistan of narco-terrorism but Islamabad has denied all such claims. Now in a major turn, a senior member of Pakistan government has acknowledged the drug menace which Pakistan has been unleashing from its territory.

Pakistani official admits to narco-terrorism, first ever admission by government official

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US designates Mexican cartels as terror groups in major drug war escalation

US designates Mexican cartels as terror groups in major drug war escalation

Pak-based Shahzad Bhatti emerges as key figure in India’s anti-terror probes

SIA Kashmir attaches property of LeT operative in major narco-terror case

US Strike on Caribbean Vessel Kills Four as Trump Targets “Narco-Terrorists” | WION

Counter Cartel Coalition: Will US drag Latin America into another war on drugs?

What is narco-terrorism, and why did Trump say Nicolás Maduro is leading it?

Trump says US will launch lethal land strikes in Latin America 'very soon'

Is Cartel de los Soles even a ‘cartel’? US lists it as foreign terrorist org

U.S. Unveils Military Operation Against 'Narco-Terrorists'

‘Drugs are killing our people...’: Hegseth announces ‘Operation Southern Spear’

US strike kills 3 in Caribbean, critics say ‘no justification’

Fresh US strike on Venezuelan gang’s drug-smuggling boat kills 6, says Hegseth

Trump says two 'narcoterrorists' from destroyed drug submarine to be repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador

Trump dodges question on whether he ordered CIA to 'take out' Maduro

Gravitas: Pak official admits drones are dropping drugs in India | Pakistan's narco-terrorism exposed

Pakistani official admits to narco-terrorism, first ever admission by government official