CIA considers lethal force against drug cartels

The CIA is assessing its lethal force policies related to drug cartels in Mexico and other

countries, according to a new CNN report. A U.S. official and other sources close to the matter

told the outlet the agency is considering what actions it can legally take against drug cartels

and any possible risks. CNN reported lawyers are looking into the CIA and its officers' liability

if any American is accidentally killed in an operation. The review doesn't say whether the

Trump administration ordered the CIA to take these actions. But in January, the administration

designated a number of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Some U.S. officials told CNN they

are concerned using lethal force could pose a high risk of collateral damage to Americans in other

countries. Former officials also raised concerns about possible retaliation from cartels, with

former Defense Department official Doug Livermore writing in a recent study for the Atlantic Council

Mexican cartels are not merely criminal organizations. They operate as paramilitary entities with deep financial resources

global supply chains and sophisticated logistical networks that extend into the United States Cartels are highly likely to retaliate and possess a substantial capacity for terrorism

that, when coupled with their established presence within the United States, could escalate conflict

The people familiar with the matter told CNN the CIA may be held accountable for its actions

against drug cartels, especially if those actions lead to unintended consequences. The U.S. intelligence community's annual threat assessment recently highlighted drug cartels as a major threat for the first time in nearly two decades

But many national security officials say while cartels pose a significant issue, they aren't a critical threat to the U.S

The CIA can carry out lethal strikes or assist other nations in doing so as long as it's authorized by the president and complies with U.S. laws governing armed conflict

including the Authorization for Use of Military Force, or AUMF, passed after the September 11th terrorist attacks

The resolution allows the use of U.S. armed forces in specific circumstances

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Jack Elmer. For all your latest news headlines, download the Straight Arrow News app today