Stopping Drug Cartels in Their Tracks

1. 85

   Sharlee01posted 3 weeks ago

   
   
   Yes, President Trump authorized a U.S. military strike on a vessel allegedly linked to Venezuelan drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The operation took place in international waters and was part of a broader effort to combat narcoterrorism. Trump described the action as a "kinetic strike" against violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists within the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area, claiming they pose a threat to U.S. national security and interests.  Reuters
   https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ … hatgpt.com
   
   The Pentagon has supported President Trump's recent military strike on a Venezuelan drug vessel. Following the operation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed that military actions against cartels in Venezuela would continue. He emphasized that the U.S. has the "absolute and complete authority" to defend its interests and citizens from narcoterrorist threats. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, stating that further strikes would occur, and the U.S. was aware of the identities of those on the destroyed boat, though evidence to authenticate their identity as members of the Tren de Aragua gang has not been provided."
   https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezu … e93fbd2521

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2. 71

   Ken Burgessposted 3 weeks ago

   Apologies... I know this is related to drugs in a totally unrelated way...
   
   But for lack of a better thread... I thought this look back should be offered up, without creating a new one:
   
   https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1657573239298588673
   
   Just a reminder... your cannot trust the mainstream media... not on anything.

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3. 80

   Readmikenowposted 3 weeks ago

   This story is interesting.
   
   The US Coast Guard has been destroying drugs boats and seizing drugs from boats for many years.
   
   I wonder why all of a sudden President Donald Trump wants to make it public.
   
   Could it be he is tired of it and is sending a message?

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   1. 85

      Sharlee01posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      I did some research before adding my thread regarding what was being done previously to drug smugglers in boats --- The U.S. Coast Guard has been intercepting drug-smuggling vessels for decades, seizing drugs and apprehending the crew. In cases where vessels are abandoned or unseaworthy, the Coast Guard may destroy them to prevent reuse, always ensuring that no one on board is harmed. As Trump is now emphasizing, strong measures to combat drug trafficking remain a priority, supporting aggressive enforcement and efforts to stop the flow of illegal drugs at sea. Along with taking no prisoners.  These operations, in my view, show a commitment to disrupting drug networks while still adhering to our laws.
      
      I would think he is doing it to cut down on supplies reaching the illegal market, and sending his message that he is at war with the cartel.  I think it is classic Trump: solve the problem by addressing the root of the problem. I mean, he is destroying drugs --- cup half full...

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4. 85

   Sharlee01posted 2 weeks ago

   Doing what we sent him to do!
   
   WATCH: Coast Guard seizes cocaine, suspected narco-terrorists in Pacific Viper raid
   The Coast Guard and Navy launched Operation Pacific Viper in August to combat drug flow to the US
   
   FIRST ON FOX: The U.S. Coast Guard has seized more than 75,000 pounds of cocaine and apprehended nearly 60 suspected narco-terrorists and drug smugglers since launching Operation Pacific Viper in August, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
   
   Operation Pacific Viper is a joint effort between the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy aimed at countering the influx of illegal drugs to the U.S. as part of President Donald Trump’s larger effort to crack down on drug cartels.
   
   Video footage shared with Fox News Digital depicts the Coast Guard cutter Seneca, which is part of Operation Pacific Viper, completing a drug interdiction Sept. 10 northeast of the Galápagos Islands, which resulted in the seizure of 5,500 pounds of cocaine from a low-profile vessel.
   
   Operation Pacific Viper got underway as the U.S. has beefed up its operations against drug cartels. For example, the U.S. military has conducted at least two strikes against alleged drug-laden vessels from Venezuela in recent weeks. The first strike took out 11 suspected Tren de Aragua (TdA) narco-terrorists, while the second strike took out three
   
   "You had massive amounts of drugs," Trump told reporters Sept. 3 after the first strike. "We have tapes of them speaking. It was massive amounts of drugs coming into our country to kill a lot of people. And, everybody fully understands that fact. You see it, you see the bags of drugs all over the boat, and they were hit. Obviously, they won't be doing it again. And I think a lot of other people won't be doing it again. When they watch that tape, they're going to say, let's not do this. We have to protect our country and we're going to. Venezuela has been a very bad actor."
   
   In August, Trump approved sending several U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers to bolster the administration’s counter-narcotics efforts in the region.
   
   After Trump's dispatched the destroyers to U.S. Southern Command, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said his country was prepared to respond to any attacks, adding that the move amounted to "an extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat."
   
   Following the second strike, Maduro said the incident is part of a larger effort "to intimidate and seek regime change" in Venezuela. The Trump administration has said it does not recognize Maduro as a legitimate head of state, and rather, views him as a leader of a drug cartel.
   
   "What were they looking for? Tuna? What were they looking for? A kilo of snapper? Who gave the order in Washington for a missile destroyer to send 18 armed Marines to raid a tuna fishing vessel?" Maduro told reporters Monday. "They were looking for a military incident. If the tuna fishing boys had any kind of weapons and used weapons while in Venezuelan jurisdiction, it would have been the military incident that the warmongers, extremists who want a war in the Caribbean, are seeking."
   
   Other actions the Trump administration has taken to ramp up its war on drugs include designating drug cartels like Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa and others as foreign terrorist organizations in February.
   
   https://www.foxnews.com/politics/watch- … viper-raid

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