President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday that one of his top priorities upon taking office will be to designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Speaking at a Turning Point conference in Arizona, Trump reiterated his campaign promise to take strong action against the cartels.
During his previous time in office, Trump had considered making the designation but held off after a request from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who sought cooperation with the U.S. in tackling drug cartels. Now, Trump is committed to following through on the move, which he believes will pave the way for aggressive action against cartel leaders and operations.
Trump outlined plans for a comprehensive strategy to combat drug trafficking. He stated that, if elected, he would direct the Department of Defense to employ “special forces, cyber warfare, and other covert and overt actions” to target cartel leadership and infrastructure.
In addition to his stance on drug cartels, Trump unveiled a new initiative aimed at educating Americans about the dangers of drug use. He introduced plans for an advertising campaign that will highlight the damaging effects of drugs on physical appearance, including skin, teeth, and overall health. Though he did not provide further details, this marks the first public reference to the campaign.
Trump’s new anti-drug initiative seems to echo efforts from past decades, such as the 1970s and 1980s anti-drug campaigns, including Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” movement. These programs were designed to warn young people about the dangers of drugs and deter drug use through educational campaigns, particularly in schools.
The ongoing opioid crisis, particularly the deadly fentanyl epidemic, remains a critical concern. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, has led to hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths in the U.S. in recent years, with much of the drug trafficked across the U.S.-Mexico border by Mexican cartels.
In his 2024 campaign, Trump has made tackling the fentanyl crisis and illegal immigration central issues. He has proposed mass deportations and vowed to declare a nationwide emergency to address these issues. His border czar, Tom Homan, along with other officials, has pledged to focus on deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes or pose a national security risk, while considering protections for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that 11 million illegal immigrants were living in the U.S. as of 2022, and Trump has promised to oversee the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, potentially involving the use of the National Guard and domestic police forces.
Scores of persons were confirmed to have been killed by unknown gunmen in Garin Baka village of Ardo-Kola Local Government Read more
The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a prime suspect, Arome Danjuma, who allegedly ambushed and stripped a girl naked Read more
A gentleman whose name was not disclosed gave out one of the slippers he was selling by the roadside cheaply Read more
In this internet age, most people enjoy showing off their lives and affairs for everyone to see. It is sometimes Read more
