In a significant move, Donald Trump has intensified efforts to combat drug cartels, highlighting the influx of narcotics like fentanyl into the United States as a key motivation for his broader trade policy. Several cartels have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration. Recently, a Pentagon directive was quietly signed to permit military action against drug cartels, resulting in a U.S. drone strike on a Venezuelan vessel in international waters, causing the death of all 11 individuals on board. This development has raised concerns about potential future strikes in Venezuela and Mexico, which are also focal points in Trump’s anti-cartel campaign.
Alexander Aviña, a Latin American history expert at Arizona State University, sheds light on the implications of these recent escalations and examines the historical effectiveness of drug wars. For more insights from Front Burner, please refer to the provided transcripts. Stay updated by subscribing to Front Burner on your preferred podcast platform.
