NEW: Trump to deploy 4,000 Marines around Latin American waters to combat cartels: report

Citing two US defense officials, the outlet reported that the move is part of a broader mission to ready military assets to target the drug cartels. A third person familiar with the plans told the outlet that the additional military assets are “aimed at addressing threats to US national security from specially designated narco-terrorist organizations in the region.”

Included in the deployment is the Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, reporting to US Southern Command. The effort has reportedly been underway for the past three weeks.

A P8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, nuclear-powered submarine, multiple destroyers, and a guided-missile cruiser are also being allocated to US Southern Command as part of the effort. One of the officials told the outlet that the buildup of the military assets is meant to show the force of the US military rather than the targeting of the cartels.

However, having the military assets at the ready allows for more options if Trump orders military action to take place.

An official from the Marines told the outlet that a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) “stands ready to execute lawful orders and support the combatant commanders in the needs that are requested of them."

A memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year instructed the Pentagon to “seal our borders, repel forms of invasion including unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking, and other criminal activities, and deport illegal aliens in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.”

Last week, it was reported by the New York Times that Trump signed a directive for the Pentagon to start using military force against some drug cartels in Latin America