Trump administration names drug cartels threat, excluding climate

Trump administration names drug cartels threat, excluding climate

The annual threat assessment of the US secret services for the first time in almost 20 years, the threat caused by drug cartels. This was found by Tom Cotton, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and an analysis of CNN. The assessment is a central topic for President Donald Trump.

threat from drug cartels

The report emphasizes that drug cartels in Mexico and other parts of the western hemisphere endanger the health and security of millions of Americans and contribute to regional instability. Fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids led to over 52,000 deaths in the United States until October 2024. This represents a decrease of 33 % compared to the previous year, which is probably due to the increased availability of the overdose opponent Naloxon.

activities of the drug cartels

Despite the decline in the drug deaths, the cartels seem to win. The report explains: "Transnational criminal organizations active in Mexico strengthen their fatal attacks on rivals and Mexican security forces by using improvised explosive devices, including land mines, mortar and grenades."

US military reactions

In the first few weeks of Trump's return to the White House, the US military massively increased the monitoring of the Mexican drug cartels. Highly developed spy flights carried out at least 18 missions over the southwest of the United States and in international airspace around the Baja Peninsula, as CNN reported.

role China in fentanyl trade

Most fentanyl precursors that come to the USA come from chemicals that are manufactured in China, according to the US drug control authority. CIA director John Ratcliffe said that the Chinese government was "restricted" and "irregularly" in its efforts to stop the domestic production of fentanyl precursors. The reason for this, according to Ratcliffe, is that more than 600 companies associated with the People's Republic of China produce these forerunner chemicals in an industry that generates $ 1.5 trillion.

climate changes not mentioned

In the first Trump cabinet, several annual threat ratings from the National Secret Service (ODNI) emphasized the threats and effects of climate change. However, the current report by Odni, which was published on Tuesday, did not contain the term "climate change". Defense Minister Pete Hegseth said in this context that the Pentagon "does not deal with climate -converted."

reactions to questions about climate change

on the demand from Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine who cooperates with the Democrats, the director of the National Secret Service, Tulsi Gabard, evoked the term "climate change". She said: "Obviously we are aware that there are environmental changes and how you can influence the operations, but we focus on direct threats to security, well -being and the security of the Americans."

dr. Ravi Chaudhary, former deputy minister of the Air Force for Energy, Facilities and Environment, previously emphasized that climate programs are not only important for the military advantage of the United States to opponents such as China, but also help to ensure the safety of members and their families.