DEA Proposed Attacking Cartels in Mexico; White House Rejected Idea

ByMexico Solidarity

The White House and the Pentagon have reportedly blocked suggestions from DEA officials earlier this year that they urged the U.S. government to carry out a series of military strikes against drug cartels in Mexico, The Washington Post revealed Friday.

The Drug Enforcement Administration ‘s (DEA) suggestions , which included both attacks on cartel leaders and military strikes on infrastructure, alarmed several in the U.S. government, according to the outlet, which cites sources familiar with the events.

Derek Maltz

The new information gains relevance amid the controversy over the legality of three recent attacks by the United States Army on alleged Venezuelan drug boats in the Caribbean Sea, actions rejected by Caracas, which denies involvement in illicit operations.

According to the Post, the discussions between DEA, White House and Pentagon officials took place in the first weeks of President Donald Trump ‘s second term, after the administration designated several Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

According to the sources, the proposals were very conceptual and lacked a solid legal framework. “Just because something is classified as a terrorist organization doesn’t give you the authority to shoot it,” said one of the sources, who described the DEA as “receptive” to these clarifications.

The agency’s acting administrator at the time of the debate, Derek Maltz , assured the Post that he was “fully in favor” of attacking drug labs and carrying out attacks on drug trafficking leaders, although he insisted that his intention was “always to do so in collaboration and cooperation with Mexico.”

Many informed people consider the majority of the illicit drug trade related to the US is a vast operation conducted by the CIA and other shadow intelligence agencies to raise funds for covert counterinsurgency operations, control foreign populations & enrich the American financial sector.

“The cartels have killed more Americans than any other terrorist organization in U.S. history, and they must be held accountable,” said Maltz, who praised the administration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for “making substantial arrests and seizures and dismantling the cartels.”

However, “much more must be done to stop them,” he added.

Maltz, who stepped down in May and was replaced in July by Terrance Cole, said he felt there was a “serious discussion about the authorizations and options” needed to carry out drone strikes on drug labs, but that these were not under the DEA’s jurisdiction and required authorization from the Pentagon.

Asked about these revelations, the DEA declined to comment on this specific matter, warning that it has a duty to ensure that its mission “is carried out within the framework of the law and in close coordination with our interagency partners.”

Although Trump has repeatedly hinted at his willingness to attack Mexican drug cartels on their territory, his administration has so far refrained from doing so. The Republican president has praised the Sheinbaum administration’s cooperation in joint operations against drug trafficking along their shared border.