N Let’s assume that Donald Trump is interested in reducing the number of drug deaths in the USA. Of course, he didn’t, otherwise the US President would take his predecessor’s lead instead of criminally breaking into other countries. In the last year of Joe Biden’s term in office, a quarter fewer people died from the opioid fentanyl than before. This trend has continued – even without military aggression.
Incidentally, former Venezuelan head of state Nicolás Maduro may have a bad finger, but his country has little to do with the drug problem facing Americans. Venezuela primarily serves as a transit country for Colombian cocaine that goes to Europe.
Nevertheless, let’s assume that Trump wants to ensure that fewer people die from drugs in the USA. Following his logic, he should have attacked Mexico long ago instead of Venezuela. After all, the fentanyl mostly comes from its southern neighbor, with ingredients from China. Trump has already made preparations for attacks. He put Mexican cartels on the terrorist list and regularly threatens to carry out military strikes on mafia bases.
Although “threatening” may not be an accurate term in Trump’s interpretation of the world order. “If you wish, we will help with our forces in Mexico,” quoted the Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaumwhat her counterpart said to her during a joint conversation after the attack in Venezuela.
The Mexican woman, as always friendly, declined the offer and pointed out Mexico’s territorial integrity. It may be due to their composure and, above all, the close economic ties between the two states that Trump has not yet sent any drones or helicopters over the Rio Bravo. Research by the Washington Post According to him, it was only the capitalist reason of an advisor that stopped him from the attacks.
Collateral damage is unavoidable
But what would such attacks actually look like? Who or what would Trump bomb? Fentanyl is no longer only mixed in the villages of the Sierra Madre, but also in drug laboratories in and around the state capital Culiacán. In apartment blocks, between children’s shops, restaurants and shopping centers. “Collateral damage” would probably be unavoidable.
Anyone who actually wants to take action against organized crime would have to attack the network that makes drug smuggling possible: corrupt politicians, civil servants and lawyers as well as banks, real estate companies and other companies. Of course, Trump doesn’t want that, especially since employees of the US anti-drug agency DEA and other compatriots associated with him would also be exposed.
Two of the US president’s campaign promises depend on Mexico: curbing migration and the fight against the drug mafia. When it comes to immigration, he is successful. Sheinbaum massively mobilized security forces to prevent people from reaching the US border. The number of migrants entering the country has decreased significantly since then.
Dozens of cartel bosses extradited
With regard to the mafia, at least the show is correct: the Mexican government has extradited several dozen cartel bosses to Washington and is cooperating closely with the DEA. Trump is also – wrongly – taking credit for Sheinbaum’s increased action against criminal organizations.
But the threats of intervention are on a different track. They are intended to reaffirm Trump’s determination to his supporters and to emphasize his “national security strategy,” according to which he wants to reduce Latin America to a compliant back yard again. At least since his Venezuela escapades These threats are taken seriously in Mexico.
With one difference: While most Venezuelans after… years of misery of the regime are happy about Maduro’s disappearance, the vast majority of Mexicans are behind their government. She would not tolerate military attacks.