REBECCA GRANT: Trump strikes Tren de Agua drug runners with new army drive method

[ad_1] NEW Now you can take heed to Fox Information articles!

When U.S. forces destroyed a Tren de Aragua drug runner’s quick boat with a missile on Tuesday, it opened a brand new chapter within the drug battle and within the protection of the Western Hemisphere. Tren de Aragua is a delegated terrorist group and invasion drive. In tactical phrases, the strike was no totally different from hitting ISIS or Houthi targets within the Center East.

"In case you’re on a ship stuffed with cocaine or fentanyl or no matter, headed to the US, you’re a direct risk to the US," Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned in a speech in Mexico Metropolis.

"I’ve been saying for a few years {that a} legislation enforcement resolution is just not ok to deal with these world terrorists working within the Western Hemisphere," former performing DEA chief Derek Maltz advised USA At present.

TRUMP’S STRIKE ON CARTEL VESSEL OFF VENEZUELA SENDS WARNING TO MADURO: NO SANCTUARY

That is really America First. President Donald Trump is the primary American chief to assemble a coverage framework for direct army operations in opposition to cartels. His new method additionally provides People higher transparency into how he plans to hold it out. A part of the shock issue was that People received a uncommon likelihood to see U.S. army forces in motion near house.

Trump desires it out within the open. The video of Tuesday’s strike was labeled UNCLASSIFIED in brilliant inexperienced, which means officers had stripped out the vary and placement information usually seen across the body.

The strike was clearly calculated, doubtless backed by communications intercepts and maritime surveillance. The weapon might have been a Hellfire from a helicopter or one other anti-ship missile. The footage was doubtless captured by a drone. Whatever the platform, the purpose was unmistakable: the U.S. gained’t tolerate cartel exercise.

TRUMP TOUTS US STRIKE AS MADURO SLAMS MILITARY ‘THREAT’ OFF VENEZUELA

The strike was a direct message to Tren de Aragua's Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, referred to as "Niño Guerrero." He has morphed TdA from a Venezuelan jail gang into "a corporation with rising affect all through the Western Hemisphere," in keeping with the Treasury Division.

TdA is greater than a cartel. Sure, this is identical Tren de Aragua whose members took over the Aspen Grove condominium advanced in Aurora, Colorado , final yr.

Its actions embrace drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, sexual exploitation, cash laundering and extra. The group additionally fueled mass migration into the US throughout President Joe Biden’s open-border period.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION

In coverage phrases, the Trump administration has taken two main steps. First, Rubio designated TdA and different cartels as international terrorist organizations on Feb. 20, 2025. Then on March 15, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to declare TdA a drive "perpetrating, trying, and threatening an invasion or predatory incursion in opposition to the territory of the US."

Right here’s the language: "I discover and declare that TdA is enterprise hostile actions and conducting irregular warfare in opposition to the territory of the US each immediately and on the path, clandestine or in any other case, of the Maduro regime in Venezuela. I make these findings utilizing the complete extent of my authority to conduct the Nation’s international affairs beneath the Structure," Trump proclaimed March 15.

So, there’s your authorized foundation. It’s like a Tom Clancy thriller, however this time it’s all out within the open—enabling a a lot wider vary of army choices.

At first, the rising coverage went virtually unnoticed, overshadowed by Houthi assaults and B-2 strikes on Iran . However the U.S. army was making ready. A scheduled deployment of the twenty second Marine Expeditionary Unit on Aug. 14 arrayed the usIwo Jima amphibious prepared group with its MV-22s, F-35B fighters, helicopters, 4 destroyers and different ships in strike place. Maduro in Venezuela panicked. Russia accused the U.S. of making use of "blatant stress" on Venezuela.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Rubio has hinted at extra to come back. "As an alternative of interdicting it, on the president’s orders, we blew it up. And it’ll occur once more. Possibly it’s taking place proper now," Rubio mentioned in Mexico City . It’s a sign the U.S. will defend its pursuits within the Western Hemisphere. The Navy has loads of anti-ship missiles to sink each quick boat cartels can launch.