Concerns Over Drug Cartels Voiced on Fox News
On Tuesday, former U.S. Army Special Forces member and President Jim Hanson spoke about drug cartels on “Jesse Watters Primetime.” He raised alarms regarding the threats posed by these groups. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had sunk a ship linked to the Venezuelan drug cartel Toren de Aragua, resulting in the deaths of 11 cartel members onboard. Watters later asked Hanson if he thought there was a danger of a “counter strike” on U.S. soil from cartel members.
“There’s definitely a concern,” said Hanson. “Asymmetric warfare really highlights vulnerabilities in the U.S. We’re like a big soft target. But if something were to happen here, I’d want to see a strong response from us.” He expressed that if attacked, there should be severe consequences for those involved.
The strike, executed by the U.S. Southern Command in international waters, occurred near Aegis-class missile boats and other resources aimed at disrupting drug trafficking routes in Latin America.
Trump commented on social media about actions taken against the cartel, stating that they are operating under the control of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, who he accused of several serious crimes, including drug trafficking.
Watters also asked Hanson if he would support Trump in taking a stand against the cartel, to which he responded with a firm “100%.” He emphasized that Americans are tired of drug traffickers undermining the country without facing repercussions. “If anyone in South America thinks they can align with outsiders—like the Russians or Chinese—they’ll soon learn that Trump is a serious force in the U.S.,” he added.
Since his return to office, Trump has reiterated his commitment to cracking down on cartels and illegal immigration, especially during the Biden administration. On his first day back, he signed numerous executive orders, including one designating specific international cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Reports have indicated that Trump authorized military action against drug cartels as early as August.
Tensions between Trump and Maduro have reportedly been on the rise, especially after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondy announced a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest. It seems the situation is evolving continually, with both sides reacting to each other’s moves.
