A Counterproductive Counter-Narcotics Campaign

"Veterans of U.S. law enforcement and counter-drug operations warn that the administration's militarized effort-including 21 missile strikes, which have killed more than 80 people, on small boats that the administration claims were trafficking fentanyl and cocaine-will have little to no impact on the Mexican and Colombian cartels responsible for moving billions of dollars' worth of drugs into the United States each year."

"Trump also is casting in anti-narcotics terms his long-standing interest in seeing Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan strongman, driven from power. Five years ago, the U.S. indicted Maduro and several associates, alleging that they were the kingpins of a narcotics organization that permeated the Venezuelan military called "Cartel of the Suns," a figure of speech among Venezuelans for generals corrupted by drug money and a reference to the sun insignia on their uniform."

"The U.S. just classified the organization as a terrorist group. Trump said Saturday that Venezuela's airspace should be considered closed, a possible prelude to further action. "President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country," Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement. But Venezuela is primarily a transit country for cocaine bound for Europe."

The administration has carried out a militarized campaign of maritime missile strikes, including 21 strikes that killed more than 80 people, targeting small boats alleged to be trafficking fentanyl and cocaine. Law enforcement and counter-drug veterans warn the strikes will have little impact on Mexican and Colombian cartels that move billions of dollars of drugs into the United States annually. The campaign is tied to a push against Nicolás Maduro and an organization labeled "Cartel of the Suns," which the U.S. has classified as a terrorist group. Venezuela functions mainly as a transit route while Colombia and Mexico supply most U.S.-bound cocaine and fentanyl, and the strikes are straining alliances and reducing intelligence crucial to combating criminal networks.

Read at The Atlantic