16.12.2025 10:55
U.S. President Trump officially described fentanyl, a substance that is nearly 100 times more potent than morphine and responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people in the country each year, as a "weapon of mass destruction." Countries that turn a blind eye to the trade of fentanyl, which is referred to as "zombie drug" in the U.S., could be seen as a threat to the U.S. and the world order.
U.S. President Donald Trump officially defined fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction" with a presidential decree he signed on Monday, which has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people in the country. With this decree, fentanyl was classified among the highest-level threats to U.S. and global security, alongside nuclear weapons and neurotoxin gases.
BLAMING CHINA AND VENEZUELA
The U.S. administration may evaluate individuals and entities involved in the fentanyl trade, as well as countries that turn a blind eye to this trade, as threats to the U.S. and the global order. The Washington administration had previously stated that it holds China and Venezuela responsible for the illegal fentanyl trade.
REFERRED TO AS "ZOMBIE DRUG"
Fentanyl, which has spread to Canada, Latin America, and Europe, is referred to as a "zombie drug" in public discourse due to its severe effects on users in the U.S. Because individuals who overdose become immobile and experience loss of consciousness, they are called "fentanyl zombies" in the U.S.
100 TIMES STRONGER THAN MORPHINE
Fentanyl, which is normally used to alleviate severe pain in cancer patients, is known to be about 100 times more potent than morphine. However, illegal production cartels are marketing this drug as a narcotic. The use of fentanyl in healthy individuals can lead to loss of consciousness, permanent brain damage, and death.
KILLING TENS OF THOUSANDS EACH YEAR
U.S. officials state that fentanyl is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans each year due to overdose. With the decree signed by Trump, the Pentagon and intelligence agencies have been authorized to deploy military and technical capabilities, typically used to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, against drug cartels.
TRUMP COMPARED IT TO A CHEMICAL WEAPON
In a statement made at an event at the White House, Trump argued that fentanyl is used to poison the U.S. The decree emphasized that illegal fentanyl resembles a chemical weapon more than a classic narcotic. Trump had previously classified drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations this year, and now, by declaring the fentanyl sold by these cartels as a weapon of mass destruction, he has expanded the authority of the U.S. military to use all its capabilities against these entities.