Trump's Approach to Cartels Mirrors Global War on Terror, Officials Say
The Trump administration's strategy to combat Mexican drug cartels has drawn comparisons to the global war on terror, with officials citing a reliance on military-style strikes and intelligence gathering.
According to sources within the administration, the approach is modeled after the tactics employed during the war on terrorism in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. This includes the use of drone strikes, special operations raids, and intelligence gathering to disrupt cartel operations.
"We're taking a page from the playbook of the global war on terror," said a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We're using all the tools at our disposal to take down these cartels."
The administration's strategy has been met with skepticism by some lawmakers and experts, who argue that it may not be effective in addressing the root causes of cartel violence.
"This approach is a Band-Aid solution," said Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the House Homeland Security subcommittee on border security. "We need to address the underlying issues driving this violence, such as poverty and corruption."
The global war on terror was launched in response to the 9/11 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. The conflict has since expanded to multiple countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
In contrast, the Trump administration's approach to cartels is focused on Mexico, where cartel violence has claimed thousands of lives in recent years.
The use of military-style strikes against cartels raises concerns about civilian casualties and human rights abuses. In 2019, a U.S.-backed operation in northern Mexico resulted in the deaths of six civilians, including two women and three children.
"We need to be careful not to repeat the mistakes of the past," said Maria Fernanda Arreola, a Mexican human rights activist. "The use of military force can have devastating consequences for innocent people."
As the administration continues to implement its strategy, officials say they are working closely with Mexican authorities to ensure that operations are carried out in accordance with international law.
"We're committed to working with our Mexican partners to take down these cartels and bring peace to the region," said a State Department official. "We'll continue to use all the tools at our disposal to achieve this goal."
The current status of the administration's strategy is unclear, but officials say they are monitoring the situation closely.
"We're constantly evaluating our approach and making adjustments as needed," said the senior administration official. "Our goal remains the same: to disrupt and dismantle these cartels and bring peace to Mexico."
*Reporting by Npr.*
