ANALYSIS – In May all the media was aflutter over former Defense Secretary Esper claiming President Trump had asked about launching missiles into Mexico to destroy drug cartel labs. Of course, the consensus was this was yet another crazy Trump idea. (RELATED: Did Trump Really Ask About Striking Mexican Drug Labs?)
And Esper ensured everyone he told Trump this would violate international law.
Trump never denied it, and I was never convinced that this was so crazy, especially in light of reports that Trump had considered designating Mexican drug cartels ‘foreign terrorist organizations' or FTOs – in 2019 – something I supported.
When a group is added to the list, its members cannot enter the United States. Banks and financial institutions that do business with the group can face penalties. And Americans who provide “material support or resources” to it can face criminal prosecution. (RELATED: Biden May Remove Iran's Notorious IRGC Paramilitary Force Terrorist Blacklist)
But the biggest issue is it could allow the president to launch drone strikes or take other limited military actions against these groups on foreign soil.
Trump eventually held off on doing so, under pressure from Mexico and other groups. But I don't think he should have. And time has shown that Mexico isn't up to the task of fighting the cartels on its own.
Now, former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr is saying we should start treating Mexican cartels “more like ISIS and less like the mafia.”
And he is right.
In an interview on Newsmax TV, the former AG said that “Mexico is well on its way to being a failed narco-state” and that the U.S. should adjust its approach to the cartels accordingly.
“The United States [has been] relegated to working through Mexico to try to deal with the cartels, and I think that's a losing proposition,” Barr stated, adding that he doesn't believe the Mexican government is “serious enough” in tackling the drug crisis.
Barr also strongly condemned Team Biden's response to the cartels, arguing they “have essentially abandoned the border to them.”
This is especially odious with the ongoing fentanyl and migrant crisis. Barr added “…the United States cannot have these cartels operating on our border, poisoning our country — over 100,000” deaths.
Referring to the Mexican cartels, Barr correctly noted that: “They are effectively terrorist organizations. They are increasingly building their connections with terrorists. Their paramilitary can take on the Mexican military, and they have so much money they can corrupt any system.” (RELATED: Trump Thoroughly Trashes Bill Barr to NBC's Lester Holt)
The former AG explained that trying to prosecute Mexican drug gangs and affiliated organizations is about as ridiculous as “going after ISIS in Syria on the same basis.”
The only way to treat them like terrorists is by designating the worst of the cartels as FTO's and then treat them accordingly. This will likely only happen if a Republican wins the White House in 2024. ALD
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
READ NEXT: Congressman Introduces Bill to Ban Remittances to Mexico Until Border Wall is Complete >>
A couple well placed missiles sounds pretty good about now, doesn’t it!
Totally agree and the Mexican govt. or military needs to help or get out of the way. Drug Cartels are being paid by immigrants and they are paying off the military and corrupt govt.
Vet
Drug addiction is a very evil, insidious cancer that grows exponentially in a person’s life. I am all for known drug dealers being stopped any way possible! If you have never been an addict or had one in your family you can’t possibly understand how horrifically painful this problem is.
Don’t believe biden and the democrats, look no further then their America last policy China first policy, look at their in power, financial gain, pelosi and family, biden and family, look at the pawns they put on office, look at our open borders and now” Polio” has returned to the United States because of biden’s border policy, times for changes America vote them out keep them out, vote in the mid terms..
I feel if Mexico isn’t serious about helping our country stop the cartel, then we should stop Mexico. Put restrictions on them just like we do other Terriot’s countries. We shouldn’t support a country if they are not going to support us in keeping these people out of our borders and keep their business away from our country. Mexico has been known before to be corrupt. So, if they want to make money off the cartel, let them. But they should know there will be conspicuous for these actions. We cannot keep letting these people take over our borders and destroy the lives of Americans.
Anyone really believe that Joe Biden will take any actions against Drug Cartels based on his willingness to open the border and allow drugs, criminals; terrorists to walk or better use tax payer money to bus them right in to the USA? Time to take care of this problem before it is too late. I hope the republicans have the balls to complete the wall Trump started and go after illegal criminals that are entering our country. Also, they need to fix our immigration system and laws. I also agree the Military and DEA needs to strike these drug cartels by any means necessary and shut them down.
Vet
The US government has *already* been treating Mexican drug cartels like ISIS. The US government has been arming both groups for years.