Trump classifies fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction: details and implications
In an unprecedented escalation aimed at redefining the US war on drugs, President Donald Trump officially designated the opioid fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. This decision strengthens the US administration's authority to confront drug cartels in Latin America, placing the opioid crisis at the heart of US national security strategy.
Details of the presidential decision
During the signing ceremony for the executive order at the White House, Trump emphasized that this classification reflects the extreme danger of the substance, stating, “We are officially designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. There is no bomb that does what this bomb does.” The president based his decision on alarming statistics indicating that between 200,000 and 300,000 people lose their lives annually due to this substance, describing it as “more like a chemical weapon than a traditional narcotic.”.
The executive order states that the manufacture and distribution of fentanyl pose a direct threat to U.S. national security and fuel chaos in the region and on the southern border of the United States.
Background to the crisis: Why fentanyl?
To understand the implications of this decision, one must consider the nature of fentanyl. It is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, estimated to be 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. In recent years, this substance has caused the worst drug crisis in US history, with overdoses leading to a sharp rise in mortality rates, prompting the US administration to seek unconventional solutions that go beyond standard policing to include military and strategic intervention.
Militarizing the fight against drugs and targeting "drug terrorists"
Political and security analysts believe this move provides legal and political cover for expanding military operations against what Washington calls "narco-terrorists." An active military campaign has already begun in the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, targeting speedboats used for smuggling.
According to official figures, this campaign has resulted in the destruction of more than 20 boats and the deaths of approximately 90 people since the beginning of September. While Trump asserted that each destroyed boat saves the lives of 25,000 Americans, intelligence reports indicate that these maritime routes are frequently used to smuggle cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela, while fentanyl—the more lethal drug—is primarily smuggled across the land border with Mexico.
Tensions with Venezuela and the geopolitical dimensions
This decision cannot be separated from the tense geopolitical context in Latin America, specifically relations with Venezuela. Alongside the air and naval strikes, the United States amassed a massive force in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the world's largest aircraft carrier and multiple warships, as well as intensive military aircraft activity off the Venezuelan coast.
Washington accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug cartel and has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his capture. Caracas, however, categorically denies these accusations, claiming that the US actions are a pretext for regime change in Venezuela and for seizing control of its vast oil reserves, a move that threatens a regional escalation with potentially far-reaching consequences.
