The escalating military strikes against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific that have killed 64 people do not rise to the level of hostilities that would trigger statutory limits on the operations, according to a statement from a senior administration official on Monday.

The claim comes as Monday marked the 60-day deadline since the Trump administration’s first notification to Congress of military action against alleged drug runners that work for cartels that the White House has designated as terror organizations.

The deadline stems from the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which stipulates that the president has the authority to respond militarily to threats to the United States, but that after 60 days of military action he must seek congressional approval — or a 30

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