Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
During the recent American election season, Mexico has once again become a focal point of Republican rhetoric. This time, however, the discourse has escalated to the point of advocating for military action against Mexican drug cartels. The majority of Republican candidates, during the first primary debate, expressed support for bombing drug labs in Mexico, which are responsible for the production of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis even suggested deploying special forces to Mexico should he win the presidency.
The United States is currently grappling with a fentanyl overdose crisis. Since 2014, the drug has been the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45. In 2021 alone, approximately 70,000 Americans died from synthetic opioids, with fentanyl implicated in the majority of these cases. The drug, which is 50 times more potent than heroin, is primarily sourced from Mexico, where cartels import the necessary chemicals from China and manufacture the drug in secret labs.
More About Politics Than Reality
However, the increasingly aggressive stance of the Republican party towards Mexico is more rooted in politics than in the realities of the drug crisis. Former President Donald Trump is known to have considered missile strikes against Mexican drug labs during his term, and his influence continues to shape the party’s approach. The situation is further complicated by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s denial of fentanyl production in Mexico and his restrictions on the operations of American DEA agents in the country.
Despite the heated rhetoric, cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico on the fentanyl issue has seen some progress. Mexico has recently passed legislation to tighten control over the import of chemicals used in fentanyl production and has joined a UN anti-trafficking program. However, the prospect of military action against Mexico, if pursued, could severely damage relations with America’s largest trading partner.
Read more at The Economist.
RELATED TOPICS:
Authorities Still Searching for Suspect in Shooting of 2 Minnesota State Lawmakers
1 day ago
Caitlin Clark Returns and Leads Fever to Upset Win Over Unbeaten Liberty
1 day ago
Israel and Iran Bombard Each Other, Trump Says He Can ‘Easily’ End Conflict
16 hours ago
Trump Vetoed an Israeli Plan to Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, US Officials Say
16 hours ago
Newsom Wanted To Fast-Track the Delta Tunnel Project. The Legislature Slowed the Flow
18 hours ago
Five Weeknight Dishes: Seven Ingredients or Fewer, Because Summer
19 hours ago
Big Fresno Fair Unveils Second Wave of 2025 Concert Acts
20 hours ago
Military Parade Barrels Through Nation’s Capital With Tanks, Troops and 21-Gun Salute
1 day ago
Authorities Still Searching for Suspect in Shooting of 2 Minnesota State Lawmakers
1 day ago
Caitlin Clark Returns and Leads Fever to Upset Win Over Unbeaten Liberty
1 day ago
Israel and Iran Bombard Each Other, Trump Says He Can ‘Easily’ End Conflict
16 hours ago
Trump Vetoed an Israeli Plan to Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, US Officials Say
16 hours ago
Newsom Wanted To Fast-Track the Delta Tunnel Project. The Legislature Slowed the Flow
18 hours ago
Five Weeknight Dishes: Seven Ingredients or Fewer, Because Summer
19 hours ago
Big Fresno Fair Unveils Second Wave of 2025 Concert Acts
20 hours ago
Military Parade Barrels Through Nation’s Capital With Tanks, Troops and 21-Gun Salute
1 day ago
Authorities Still Searching for Suspect in Shooting of 2 Minnesota State Lawmakers
1 day ago
Caitlin Clark Returns and Leads Fever to Upset Win Over Unbeaten Liberty
1 day ago
Fresno Man Arrested in Fatal DUI Crash on Trimmer Springs Road
14 hours ago
Categories

Fresno Man Arrested in Fatal DUI Crash on Trimmer Springs Road

Israeli Military Kills 41 People in Gaza, Medics Say

Manhunt for Gunman Who Shot Two Minnesota Lawmakers Enters Second Day

Israel and Iran Bombard Each Other, Trump Says He Can ‘Easily’ End Conflict

Trump Vetoed an Israeli Plan to Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, US Officials Say

Newsom Wanted To Fast-Track the Delta Tunnel Project. The Legislature Slowed the Flow

Five Weeknight Dishes: Seven Ingredients or Fewer, Because Summer
