Staff Reports
The Biden administration has announced a sweeping crackdown on international drug cartels, with federal authorities apprehending more than 600 individuals tied to these violent organizations. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has even expanded its focus into the Caribbean to ensure that cartel members cannot evade justice. In a strong signal of intent, the U.S. government has officially labeled cartels as terrorist organizations, underscoring the devastating impact they have on American communities and the nation’s security. This is more than a law enforcement issue—it is a matter of sovereignty, public health, and national survival.
Senator Ashley Moody has led the charge in warning Americans about the threat cartels pose to everyday citizens. With fentanyl and other drugs now the leading cause of death for young and working-age Americans, the numbers speak volumes about the crisis. For decades, weak policies and inept enforcement left these organizations emboldened, and now, their grip on U.S. communities is stronger than ever. The loss of tens of thousands of American lives each year should be reason enough for Washington to act aggressively, but the political class has dragged its feet—until now.
The origins of cartel influence aren’t exclusively south of the border. In some nations, like Venezuela, officials have openly turned a blind eye, or worse, partnered with cartels to enrich themselves at the expense of U.S. and regional security. This is why the United States has warned it will pursue partners of cartels no matter their rank or political position. The idea that drug lords can wield more power than elected leaders is chilling, and it highlights the need for American resolve. We cannot afford to let corrupt regimes dictate the safety of American families.
But the larger challenge remains Mexico. For years, Mexican administrations have entertained political compromises with cartels instead of pursuing decisive victories against them. Moody and others have sharply criticized Mexico’s reliance on half-measures, and they are right—there is no reasoning with brutal, billion-dollar organizations that thrive on death and addiction. Until our neighbors commit to a real partnership against traffickers, the border crisis will remain the cartel’s lifeline into the U.S. American leadership must demand accountability from these governments, with the full weight of diplomatic and economic pressure if necessary.
What America needs now is not another round of empty rhetoric but a sustained, coordinated, and unapologetically tough stance. Federal authorities must be empowered with resources, border security must be a top priority, and weak-kneed leaders who cave to cartel influence—foreign or domestic—must be called out. This moment is an opportunity for America to restore order, protect its citizens, and send a clear message: foreign criminal organizations will not dictate our public safety. The fight ahead is difficult, but it is the only path if we truly intend to defend American lives and preserve sovereignty.
