drug cartels

US Military Targeting Cartels in Mexico: Risks and Reactions

US announces immediate military targeting of drug cartel infrastructure within Mexican territory, a move that feels like it’s about to throw a wrench into everything. It’s a declaration of a new type of conflict. We’re talking about the U.S. military, on the ground, inside Mexico, specifically going after the infrastructure of drug cartels. The implications are enormous, and the potential for a cascading series of events is something to consider. This isn’t just a military operation; it’s a deeply complex political and social issue that could go down in flames.

US announces immediate military targeting of drug cartel infrastructure within Mexican territory, which is setting off alarm bells.… Continue reading

Trump Signals Intention to Strike Drug Cartels in Mexico

During a recent television interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated the U.S. would begin striking drug cartels on land in Mexico, asserting that these groups effectively control the country. He noted the U.S. has significantly curbed drug trafficking by sea and will now concentrate on land routes. This follows comments from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who firmly rejected any U.S. military action within Mexico’s borders, emphasizing Mexico’s sovereignty. Sheinbaum stated Mexico would only collaborate with the U.S. on security matters while respecting its independence and territorial integrity.

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DOJ Admits Trump’s Venezuela Cartel Justification for Strike Didn’t Exist

The Department of Justice has conceded that the “Cartel de los Soles,” a drug cartel previously cited by the Trump administration to justify military action in Venezuela, does not exist. The original claim, appearing in a 2020 indictment that identified Nicolás Maduro as its leader, has been revised to state that Maduro merely supported a system of drug-money patronage. Experts suggest the term “Cartel de los Soles” was a slang term, and the revised indictment more accurately reflects the reality of the situation. Despite the DOJ’s shift, some officials continue to invoke the name of the non-existent cartel.

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Trump Confirms Key Detail in Boat Strike Video, Contradicting Official Narrative

The Defense Department initially stated that the two individuals could have been attempting to radio their cartel, potentially indicating a continuation of their drug-trafficking mission. Lawmakers were briefed that the individuals were deemed capable of returning to combat. However, Trump has implied disagreement with the decision and suggests that the Defense Department’s reasoning for the second strike is untrue. Following the strike, Rep. Jim Himes described the individuals as being in distress and without the means of locomotion when killed by the U.S., leading to debate.

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Hegseth Ordered “Kill Everybody” on Drug Boat, Report Alleges, Including Survivors

The Trump administration, under alleged orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to leave no survivors, launched over a dozen strikes on suspected drug-running vessels, resulting in over 80 deaths. A specific incident involved a missile strike in the Caribbean, where two survivors of the initial attack were reportedly killed by a second strike on orders to eliminate all witnesses. These actions have drawn intense scrutiny, with legal experts labeling them as potential war crimes and extrajudicial killings due to the lack of legal justification and the alleged targeting of individuals posing no imminent threat. Despite this scrutiny, the administration has stated that they are engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels and the Department of Justice claims military personnel won’t face criminal prosecution.

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Justice Department Memo on Boat Strikes Contradicts Trump’s Narrative

The Trump administration is justifying its boat strikes against drug cartels in the Caribbean as collective self-defense on behalf of US allies, specifically citing cartels’ alleged armed violence against allied security forces and their use of cocaine profits to fund it. This legal analysis, formalized in a classified Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion, allows the use of lethal force under the “law of armed conflict,” circumventing federal murder statutes. However, this rationale sharply contrasts with Trump’s public narrative, which focuses on stopping overdose deaths. Critics have voiced skepticism, as the claim that cartels are primarily using cocaine proceeds to wage war rather than for financial gain lacks public evidence and the OLC did not fully vet.

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Cocaine Smuggling: Under-Ship Tactics and the Evolution of Narco Submarines

Colombian Navy divers discovered a significant cocaine seizure beneath a ship destined for Europe. During an underwater inspection, they found seven sealed bags containing over 450 pounds of suspected cocaine. This operation follows a recent confiscation of over seven tons of drugs from other vessels in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. has placed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, criticizing his handling of drug cartels, while Petro maintains the U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats have resulted in civilian casualties.

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Sheinbaum Rejects Trump’s Troop Threat, Critics Cite Cartel Ties and US Drug Policy Concerns

In response to Donald Trump’s repeated threats of military action against drug cartels in Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly stated that such intervention “is not going to happen,” citing the historical precedent of the Mexican-American War. Despite Trump’s warnings and claims of being unhappy with Mexico, Sheinbaum maintains that Mexico will not request any foreign intervention. Trump’s threats coincide with the deployment of military assets in the Caribbean, and are seen by analysts as an aggressive approach toward Latin American countries. Trump continues to demand that Mexico do more to reduce the flow of drugs and migrants across the US-Mexico border.

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Mexico Protests: Generation Z Accuses Leaders of Cartel Protection Amidst Social Unrest

Gen Z activists are currently demonstrating in Mexico City, voicing their discontent with the alleged protection of cartels by the government. These young protesters are specifically condemning the situation, labeling the state as a “narco-state.” However, President Sheinbaum has responded to the protests, claiming that the demonstrations are being supported by right-wing political parties.

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Mexico President to Seek Charges After Street Groping, Sparks Controversy

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum will be filing charges against a man who groped her during a public event in Mexico City. The incident, captured on video, occurred as she was speaking to supporters. Sheinbaum stated that she decided to press charges to stand in solidarity with other women who experience harassment, and because the suspect allegedly harassed other women in the crowd. The incident has sparked conversations about presidential security and the persistent issue of ingrained machismo within Mexican society, particularly as femicide rates remain high.

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