May 1, 2026

Cartel Wars

Pentagon Announces 22nd Strike On Drug-Trafficking Vessels– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser December 12, 2025 0

Blurb:

The Pentagon on Thursday night shared video footage of what was the 22nd strike on drug-trafficking vessels operating off the coast pf Venezuela since September. The latest strike comes as Democrat lawmakers have repeatedly accused the Trump Administration of “war crimes” over the strikes.

Prior to Thursday’s strike, U.S. forces had carried out 21 maritime strikes in the Caribbean, resulting in 83 confirmed deaths according to Pentagon figures and independent tracking. The operations have relied primarily on MQ-9 drones and naval assets to destroy high-speed vessels departing Venezuelan waters.

Thursday’s strike targeted a drug boat operating in the Eastern Pacific, the Pentagon announced in a press release.

“On Dec. 4, at the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization,” the Pentagon announced. “Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed.”

Senate Investigates Chinese Opioid Trade in Latin America as Democrats Push Drug Boat Strikes Hoax– www.breitbart.com

pgnewser December 12, 2025 0

Blurb:

The Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control holds a hearing on Chinese drug trafficking through Latin America to the United States on Tuesday, December 9.

The hearing seeks to “uncover how the Chinese mafia drives synthetic opioid trafficking to the United States in the context of increased Chinese investment and trade with Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The hearing comes as Democrats continue to claim that the Trump administration is issuing illegal orders in their strikes against narco-terrorist drug boats in the Carribean.

Pete Hegseth Scorches Washington Post’s ‘Fake’ Double Tap Story Accusing Him of Potential War Crime › American Greatness– amgreatness.com

pgnewser December 12, 2025 0

Blurb:

President Donald Trump hosted a Cabinet meeting at the White House Tuesday, where Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave a spirited defense of the much debated military strikes on a drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean on September 2.

The Washington Post reported on Friday that Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” before the strikes on the “suspected drug boats.” After two men allegedly survived the initial strike, according to the Post’s sources, the mission commander ordered a second strike to take them out to comply with Hegseth’s directive. “The two men were blown apart in the water, the Post reported.

Democrats contend that the second strike to take out the survivors could have been a violation of the laws of war.

Amid talk of potential war crimes, the New York Times on Monday reported additional details refuting the Washington Post’s version of events, clarifying that Hegseth had ordered the attack, but not the killing of survivors.

Mexico has cartel armies. Blue America has cartel politics.– www.theblaze.com

pgnewser December 12, 2025 0

Blurb:

 

Detroit is synonymous with autos, Los Angeles with motion pictures, and Texas with oil. Pittsburgh still conjures steel. When a product or service anchors a region’s economy, that sector has power. Politicians court industry. Industry demands representation and, ideally, protection.

What’s true regionally is just as true nationally. That’s why K Street exists and lobbyists make big bucks. Fortunes rise and fall, but if our GDP slips even 3%, the usual talking heads sprint to the cameras to declare the American economy on the verge of collapse — and always under whichever Republican is in office. When a Democrat presides over a faltering economy, the political media prefers to drive the getaway car.

Harassing users did nothing to stop the poison. Blowing up supply at sea does. Every sunken shipment dents the cartels’ profits. Every explosion represents a tangible loss.

If any of us invented a product that added 3% to national GDP, we’d enjoy the influence over policy and legislation that naturally comes with living in a representative republic with a market economy. Innovation and competition fuel prosperity.

BREAKING: Suspected Cartel Smuggler K*lled in Texas Border Patrol Shooting– wltreport.com

pgnewser December 12, 2025 0

Blurb:

On Thursday, a suspected cartel smuggler was killed during an officer-involved shooting with Border Patrol.

Allegedly, the suspect crossed the river and attacked a Border Patrol, who then opened fire.

The shooting happened in Starr County, Texas — near the border.

Thankfully, no agents were injured during the shootout.

Bill Melugin of Fox News has the details:

US preparing to seize more tankers off Venezuela’s coast after first ship taken, sources say– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser December 12, 2025 0

Blurb:

Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA did not reply to a request for comment. Venezuela’s government this week said the US seizure constituted a “theft.” The White House National Security Council did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The US has assembled a target list of several more sanctioned tankers for possible seizure, according to one of the people familiar with the matter.

The US Justice Department and Homeland Security had been planning the seizures for months, according to two of the people.

A reduction or halt in Venezuelan oil exports, the main generator of revenue for the Venezuelan government, would strain the Maduro government’s finances.

Venezuela’s ‘Cartel of the Suns’ declared TERRORISTS by US– www.thesun.co.uk

pgnewser November 25, 2025 0

Blurb:

WASHINGTON has formally declared Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organisation.

The move strikes at the core of tyrant Nicolás Maduro’s power structure and labels his inner circle as “narco-terrorists”.

The US has formally designated Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisationCredit: Getty
A wanted poster offering $50 million dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Venezuela’s President Nicolas MaduroCredit: EL PAÍS

US and Mexico sanction Hysa group for allegedly running Sinaloa Cartel-linked casino operations– readwrite.com

pgnewser November 21, 2025 0

Blurb:

The Hysa Organized Crime Group (HOCG), also known as the Albanian Mafia, has been accused of operating casinos on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel.

The news comes from a joint action with the United States Treasury and the Government of Mexico. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) have been working with their North American counterparts to investigate HOCG’s actions.

‘Last time the US came to Mexico, they took half the territory,’ Sheinbaum warns: Tuesday’s mañanera recapped– mexiconewsdaily.com

pgnewser November 19, 2025 0

Blurb:

At her Tuesday morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threats of intervention in Mexico, as well as new travel advice for Mexico that was issued by the Canadian government.

Among other issues, Sheinbaum spoke about the people who remain in custody after being detained in Mexico City’s central square on Saturday for allegedly attacking police at the end of a large anti-government protest march.

Here is a recap of the president’s Nov. 18 mañanera.

Operation Southern Spear: US strikes alleged drug-trafficking vessel; kills four– timesofindia.indiatimes.com

pgnewser November 19, 2025 0

Blurb:

A Pentagon official said that the US military conducted another strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat on Monday, targeting a vessel in the Caribbean Sea and killing four people on board. Since September, US forces have destroyed at least 21 vessels in 20 strikes in international waters, killing at least 80 people. The Trump administration says the operations — the details of which remain sparse — are part of an anti-drug offensive.

US Military Blows Up ‘Drug Vessels’ In Deadly Strike As ‘Rival Duo’ Plots Major Action In Backyard

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Operation Southern Spear, saying it would target “narco-terrorists” and shield “our homeland from the drugs that are killing our people.” The operation involves deploying warships, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, across the Caribbean.Hegseth said that during the operation, the task force removed US forces have carried out strikes on vessels suspected of drug running, killing at least 80 people, and President Trump has signalled that land operations remain under consideration.

Pete Hegseth Announces the Launch of ‘Operation Southern Spear’ to Protect ‘America’s Neighborhood’– www.westernjournal.com

pgnewser November 19, 2025 0

Blurb:

The best defense is offense, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Thursday as he outlined the purpose of the American military buildup near Venezuela.

“President Trump ordered action — and the Department of War is delivering. Today, I’m announcing Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR,” Hegseth wrote in a post on X.

“Led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and @SOUTHCOM, this mission defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secures our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people.”

Venezuela Responds to U.S. Aircraft Carrier Presence with Nationwide Military Drills

pgnewser November 12, 2025 0

After the United States confirmed that the Gerald R. Ford Carrier group were in Venezuela’s region, Venezuela announced plans to conduct a large-scale, nationwide military drill involving 200,000 troops. The drill will be called the “Plan Indepenencia 200.”

The Venezuelan government accused the U.S. of “murdering defenseless people, whether or not they are drug traffickers, executing them without due process.” FYI, there is no due process in Venezuela for its citizens.

Blurb:

Venezuela launches huge military exercise as U.S. Navy flotilla nears Caribbean waters – CBS News

Venezuela announced Tuesday that it was launching a massive military exercise across the country, reportedly involving some 200,000 forces, in response to the increasing presence of U.S. military assets in the region. The announcement by Venezuela’s military came as the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford had entered the Southern Command’s area of responsibility — which includes the Caribbean.

Cops from TN and MS Arrested for attempting to protect Cartel Drug Traffickers

pgnewser November 5, 2025 0

Federal officials are charging more than a dozen law enforcement officers from Mississippi and Tennessee with accepting bribes from FBI agents disguised as cartel members. One of the worst offenders and best examples of the crimes being charged is Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston. According to the indictment, he received “multiple monetary payments for his blessing for the cartel to operate in his county and use his deputies to protect the cartel’s illegal drug trafficking.”

All of the defendants agreed to “escort runs,” which the indictment claimed “ they were protecting the transportation of 25 kilos of cocaine, sometimes referred to as ‘birds,’ or, on October 5, 2023, the transportation of illegal narcotics proceeds, during the course of the investigation to build trust with the corrupt law enforcement officers, to lay the groundwork for future runs, and to take other action to further the drug trafficking conspiracy.”

Blurb:

In what officials called “a monumental betrayal of public trust,” more than a dozen law enforcement officers are among 20 defendants charged in Mississippi and Tennessee for an alleged drug trafficking bribery scheme.

The federal indictment alleges the defendants, which includes two sheriffs, of accepting bribes from FBI agents posing as drug cartel members to facilitate the passage of illicit drugs through the Mississippi Delta region.

Federal officials initiated a years-long investigation after hearing complaints from real drug traffickers about having to pay bribes to law enforcement officers.

Anti-Drug Cartel Mexican Mayor Shot Dead– slaynews.com

pgnewser November 5, 2025 0

Blurb:

A Mexican mayor known for his outspoken stance against drug cartels and his push for tougher anti-trafficking laws was shot and killed during a Day of the Dead celebration over the weekend.

Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan in Michoacán State, was gunned down Saturday night during a public vigil, according to state officials.

Authorities said Manzo was struck seven times.

He later died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.

Before his death, Manzo had repeatedly warned that local officials were being targeted by cartels.

He had criticized Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for failing to take stronger action against organized crime.

Tulsi Gabbard Details How Trump Is Intimidating Mexican Cartels Following Arrest of Drug Lord– www.westernjournal.com

pgnewser October 28, 2025 0

Blurb:

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard noted during a Saturday morning Fox News interview that the recent capture of a notorious Mexican drug cartel boss by President Donald Trump’s administration shows Trump’s “seriousness” and that he is “not messing around” on the issue.

Gabbard’s office announced Tuesday the Oct. 15 arrest of Sinaloa Cartel Plaza Boss Leonardo Daniel “El Pato” Martinez Vera, who allegedly led an operation which took part in a range of crimes including kidnapping and murder.

“Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Griff Jenkins asked Gabbard if El Pato’s arrest — made possible due to intelligence collected by the ODNI’s National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) — sends a message to “the plaza bosses who have run our southern border under the Biden administration.”

“Yes, it’s very significant. This operation — I would love to tell you about how it was carried out,” Gabbard answered.

“Because our folks, who are working now without pay because of the Democrats’ government shutdown, worked tirelessly to get this guy arrested and behind bars, but also the public messaging that we did on behalf of President Trump shows his seriousness.”

 

US kills 14 as it strikes three ‘drug boats’ in the Pacific in latest attack, Pete Hegseth says– www.independent.co.uk

pgnewser October 28, 2025 0

Blurb:

According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, U.S. military assets carried out three strikes on four vessels in the Pacific Ocean Monday, marking at least 13 strikes on 14 vessels since early September.

At least one person survived the latest attacks, he said.

“The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics,” according to Hegseth.

Eight men were killed in the first strike, another four men were killed in a second strike, and three more men were killed in a third strike, he said.

US Military Destroys Another Drug Smuggling Boat but This One Is in the Pacific – RedState– redstate.com

pgnewser October 22, 2025 0

Blurb:

The U.S. Military has carried out its first strike against a drug cartel boat in the Pacific Ocean. The attack, which took place on Monday, was announced in a bulletin posted by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on X.

Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel being operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific.  The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics. There were two narco-terrorists aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. Both terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike. Narco-terrorists intending to bring poison to our shores, will find no safe harbor anywhere in our hemisphere. Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness—only justice.

JUST IN: Trump Announces Destruction of Another Venezuelan Drug Boat — Six Narcoterrorists Killed– conservativeroof.com

pgnewser October 15, 2025 0

Blurb:

President Trump on Tuesday announced another successful strike in international waters against a Venezuelan drug vessel, “affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO),” he said.

This comes as the US has launched a series of attacks on narcoterrorists trafficking narcotics to the United States. Earlier this month, Trump announced the destruction of a vessel, which was carrying a “substantial amounts of narcotics,” War Secretary Pete Hegseth said. According to President Trump, that boat was carrying “enough drugs to kill 25 TO 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE.”

A war on Venezuela would be a war on reality– www.theblaze.com

pgnewser October 14, 2025 0

Blurb:

The drums of war are echoing across the Caribbean. U.S. warships patrol the southern sea lanes, and squadrons of F-35s wait on standby in Puerto Rico. Strike lists are reportedly being drafted in Washington. The question is not whether the United States can act but whether it should. And more importantly: Who is the real enemy?

All signs point to Venezuela, long a fixation of neoconservatives who see regime change as a cure-all. For years, some in the Republican Party have argued that Venezuela sits at the center of Latin America’s drug trade and that military action is overdue.

26 years of dictatorship and narcoterrorism in Venezuela are about to end– thehill.com

pgnewser October 14, 2025 0

Blurb:

The U.S. is at war with drug cartels. The news should be cause for celebration, but some are trying to discredit and derail these efforts.

According to the detractors, the Cartel of the Suns doesn’t exist. Killing drug traffickers is a war crime. The U.S., they argue, should relinquish its regional leadership and pursue ostrich diplomacy.

In this context of retorts and recriminations, the Trump administration is not giving up or giving in. On the contrary, it is determined to track, kill and destroy the drug cartels. This isn’t propaganda; it’s a promise being fulfilled in real time.

Venezuela to close embassy in Norway after opposition leader wins Nobel Peace Prize– www.euronews.com

pgnewser October 14, 2025 0

Blurb:

Venezuela has said it will close its embassy in Norway, days after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.

Norway’s foreign ministry said that the Venezuelan embassy had not given any explanation for its decision on Monday.

“It is regrettable. Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue open with Venezuela and will continue to work in this direction,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

As Trump Halts Venezuela Talks, Military Action Appears to Be on the Table– legalinsurrection.com

pgnewser October 9, 2025 0

Blurb:

The U.S. military has been steadily racking up hits on Venezuelan cartel drug boats:

It appears more military action may now be on the table as President Donald Trump has officially ended diplomatic talks with Venezuela, shutting down negotiations led by presidential envoy Richard Grenell.

The move signals potential military escalation against President Nicolás Maduro’s government and his alleged drug trafficking networks.

President Trump has stopped diplomatic discussions with Venezuela in his bid to end drug trafficking and cartels operating in the U.S., according to a report by The New York Times.

The outlet cited U.S. officials and claimed Trump has closed the door on negotiations, potentially setting in motion increased military action against drug traffickers, cartel ships or President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

According to the report, Richard Grenell, the special presidential envoy who was leading talks with Maduro, was informed Oct. 2. that all diplomatic contact must stop.

The Trump administration has accused Maduro of overseeing a “narco-state,” indicting him on drug trafficking charges and offering a $50 million reward for his arrest.

Mexico's Long War: Drugs, Crime, and the Cartels | Council on ...

Trump declares war on Mexico’s cartels as unlawful combatants– www.theblaze.com

pgnewser October 7, 2025 0

Mexico's Long War: Drugs, Crime, and the Cartels | Council on ...

Trump declares war on Mexico’s cartels as unlawful combatants– www.theblaze.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

President Donald Trump has finally named the enemy: Mexican drug cartels. Declaring them unlawful combatants and recognizing a “non-international armed conflict” marks one of the most consequential national security shifts in modern history.

For decades, Washington treated cartel violence as a crime — a problem for prosecutors, not generals. Indictments were filed, assets seized, and sanctions imposed. But the cartels fought a different kind of war, one that combined terror, intelligence, and territorial control. Calling it “crime” guaranteed defeat.

We refused to define the cartels as belligerents — and fought the wrong fight.

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, Mexico ranks among the world’s most violent conflict zones — behind only Palestine, Myanmar, and Syria. It is also the second-most dangerous country for civilians. Those numbers are not from a failed state overseas. They come from our southern border, where cartel wars spill into American communities daily.

Report: In Venezuela, Cartels Are Part of Regime | OCCRP

As the U.S. bombs Cartel Boats off its Coast, Venezuela Hints at War with U.S.

pgnewser October 6, 2025 0

Report: In Venezuela, Cartels Are Part of Regime | OCCRP

Venezuela vows to defend itself after US military destroys another ‘drug-smuggling’ boat – Morning Star | The People’s Daily
Source Link
Excerpt:

VENEZUELA is ready to defend itself against “warlike aggression” by the United States, the country’s leaders vowed at the weekend after the US military destroyed a fourth alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean….

Mr Trump claimed on social media that the boat had been “loaded with enough drugs to kill 25 TO 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE” and implied that it was “entering American Territory” while off the coast of Venezuela.

President Nicolas Maduro told the Caracas conference that his country was ready to defend itself.

“Venezuela has the right to peace, to sovereignty, to existence, and no empire in this world can take it away,” he said.

“And if it is necessary to move from an unarmed struggle to an armed struggle, this people will do so … Colonialism no more.”

Neighbouring Colombia’s left-wing President Gustavo Petro accused the US of committing “murder” and urged the victims’ families to “join forces.”

Posting on X, he said: “There are no narco-terrorists on the boats. Drug traffickers live in the US, Europe and Dubai. On that boat are poor Caribbean youth.”

US strikes vessel off Venezuelan coast killing four, Hegseth says– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser October 6, 2025 0

US strikes vessel off Venezuelan coast killing four, Hegseth says– www.washingtonexaminer.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

The U.S. military carried out another strike targeting a purported Venezuelan drug smuggling boat on Friday morning off the country’s coast, killing four people, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said.

“Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike, and no U.S. forces were harmed in the operation,” he said. “The strike was conducted in international waters just off the coast of Venezuela while the vessel was transporting substantial amounts of narcotics 00 headed to America to poison our people.”

The secretary added that U.S. intelligence confirmed “without a doubt” that the vessel “was trafficking narcotics, the people onboard were narco-terrorists, and they were operating on a known narco-trafficking transit route,” though he did not provide details of that evidence.

Boom! FBI Shuts Down Maduro’s International Money Laundry – RedState– redstate.com

pgnewser October 6, 2025 0

Boom! FBI Shuts Down Maduro’s International Money Laundry – RedState– redstate.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Venezuelan El Presidente and de facto dictator Nicolás Maduro has had his hands full with all the Venezuelan drug-carrying speedboats suddenly being converted to flying spare parts and their crews being turned into low-grade fish food, courtesy of the United States War Department. But now he is having a bad case of the smuggler’s blues, as the American FBI has taken down a huge money-laundering operation tied to the dictator through his kids.

El Presidente is no doubt feeling maladjusted over all this.

 The FBI says two men have been indicted in connection with an alleged money-laundering scheme tied to Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro’s children.

The indictments come after a years-long investigation that dates back to 2019 when the FBI’s Miami Field Office launched the probe based on indications that Arick Komarczyk opened U.S. bank accounts for Maduro’s children and their U.S.-based associates. Suspicious Activity Reports allegedly showed that Komarczyk received wire transfers from individuals and businesses in Venezuela, according to the FBI.

An undercover operation in 2022 revealed that Komarczyk and his associate, Irazmar Carbajal, agreed to move $100,000 of what the FBI believed to be sanctioned money belonging to members of Venezuela’s government. The FBI said the men moved about $25,000 into the U.S.

The bureau noted that when confronted about the situation, Kormarczyk was not alarmed, rather he called it “sexy business.”

‘Can’t find any’: Trump says ‘no boats’ left after US strikes near Venezuela; calls it ‘act of kindness’– timesofindia.indiatimes.com

pgnewser October 6, 2025 0

‘Can’t find any’: Trump says ‘no boats’ left after US strikes near Venezuela; calls it ‘act of kindness’– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that US military strikes on small boats near Venezuela have been so effective that “there are no boats” left in the area. He warned that traffickers will now be “forced to go by land.“Speaking to Navy personnel at the naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, Trump praised the operations, which Washington says aim to stop drug shipments to the United States. “We’re stopping drugs at a level that nobody’s ever seen,” he said.

‘Ready For War’: Maduro’s PUBLIC DECLARATION After U.S. Military Attack On Venezuela Boat

He added: “We’re so good at it that there are no boats. In fact, even fishing boats – nobody wants to go into the water anymore. Sorry to tell you that. We just can’t find any.” Trump warned that the crackdown may extend to land routes if traffickers are forced to shift. “They’re not coming in by sea any more, so now we’ll have to start looking at the land, because they’ll be forced to go by land. And let me tell you right now, that’s not going to work out well for them either,” he said.Last month, the US military launched an extensive attack. The US navy carried out an airstrike in early September in the southern Caribbean on a boat from Venezuela, killing all 11 people on board. Trump released a video of the strike.US officials say at least 21 people have been killed in the strikes so far. The White House claims that at least four boats have been destroyed, preventing drugs from reaching the United States. Video released by the Pentagon showed an open speedboat suddenly engulfed in smoke and flames.Trump also mentioned another strike “last night,” although the last publicly announced Pentagon operation was on Friday, when four unidentified people described as “narco-terrorists” were killed on a small boat off Venezuela.