2025 U.S. - Venezuela conflict

[Good2Golf]

Normal drug traffickers? I consider the loser on the corner pushing dime bags as a normal drug trafficker. Hauling a ton of drugs in a five engined off shore speed boat, not so much.

…or worse yet, 400 tons of drugs…

Oh, wait…

Examining Trump's Pardon of Former Honduran President Convicted of Trafficking Drugs to U.S. - FactCheck.org

President Donald Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, on Dec. 1, claiming without evidence that his prosecution had been a "setup" by the Biden administration and that Hernández was targeted because he was president of a country where drug cartels operated.

www.factcheck.org

 

[Brad Sallows]

As I mentioned once before, if they had some solid intelligence on these boats, I'm certain they would have released just a tiny bit of it to either the public, or even more in closed hearings, to at least justify their action or even satisfied naysayers. The fact that they are giving the middle finger to everybody that asks is telling.

You could wish. "We can't risk disclosing methods..." is offered by everyone as the excuse for some kind of intelligence fuckery that suits their political aesthetis.

 

[Brad Sallows]

No, it is a real problem that is killing a lot of people and numerous governments have tried various ways to address it. But that isn't to say that Trump is taking advantage of it

Plus ca change. Pirates, slave trade, terrorists, drug trade. All problems to which military force can be applied without the existence of a state of war.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Plus ca change. Pirates, slave trade, terrorists, drug trade. All problems to which military force can be applied without the existence of a state of war.

It ill be interesting to see in 3-6months if Trumps approach results in a spike of prices at the street level for whatever drugs are being sent to the ocean depths.
A prolonged spike in prices, if no cheap alternatives are found, should lead to a corresponding spike in day to day petty crime as addicts are forced to adjust to higher prices.

Everything has a knock on effect.

 

[OldSolduer]

No, it is a real problem that is killing a lot of people and numerous governments have tried various ways to address it. But that isn't to say that Trump is taking advantage of it

I agree with that BUT I think (no proof) that the drug bosses toss the cops a few bones - even if it costs the drug barons a few million. Then the government can say "WE ARE DOING SOMETHING!" Then the cycle starts again.

 

[Brad Sallows]

It ill be interesting to see in 3-6months if Trumps approach results in a spike of prices at the street level for whatever drugs are being sent to the ocean depths.
A prolonged spike in prices, if no cheap alternatives are found, should lead to a corresponding spike in day to day petty crime as addicts are forced to adjust to higher prices.

Everything has a knock on effect.

I doubt it will have much impact. The administration will brag about the (guesstimated) amount of drugs destroyed. Administration critics will basically play their resistance-is-futile, bomber-will-aways-get-through, drugs-continue-to-flow counterpoint. They will both be right.

Addicts are a problem for cities, particularly big metro areas, most of which are "blue", to deal with. Forcing their hands would be a bonus effect from the administration's viewpoint.

 

[OldSolduer]

The drug trade can be reduced by treatment of addicts thereby lowering the demand.

 

[ModlrMike]

The drug trade can be reduced by treatment of addicts thereby lowering the demand.

Full spectrum care is the answer. If we treat drug addiction as a medical condition, include detox, housing, community support, potentially education or skills enhancement, the negative aspects will be drastically reduced. It's also likely cheaper than policing, justice system use, and incarceration. Unfortunately, we're conditioned to think the opposite.