DEA Chief Blames Venezuela & Colombia for Cocaine Flow to US

DEA's Stance on Drug Trafficking

• 🎯 DEA Administrator Terry Cole identifies Nicolás Maduro as a "narotist" responsible for sending metric tons of cocaine from Colombia through Venezuela to the US.
• 🇺🇸 Cole states the DEA fully supports efforts by the Department of War, sharing intelligence daily with federal partners and the intelligence community.
• 🤝 The DEA has a 40-year intelligence-sharing relationship with the Colombian National Police, which supplies significant intelligence.

Targeting Venezuelan Drug Boats

• 🚢 Recent US strikes targeted alleged drug boats from Venezuela, which President Trump stated were filled with "narot terrorists" transporting illegal narcotics.
• ⚠️ Cole emphasizes that these operations are conducted by the Department of War, with the DEA providing intelligence.
• 🗺️ While targeting Venezuelan boats, Cole acknowledges that drugs originate from other countries like Colombia and Mexico, with Maduro taxing the shipments.

Cartels and National Security

• 💥 The DEA is committed to dismantling cartels like the Sinaloa cartel, which are described as "narco terrorists" killing Americans.
• 🇲🇽 Cole notes that cartels are a powerful employer in Mexico and suggests Mexico could do more to counteract them.
• 🇨🇳 A significant concern is China supplying precursor chemicals used in Mexico to produce fentanyl and other drugs that enter the US.

Cocaine vs. Fentanyl Threat

• 📈 Record amounts of cocaine are being produced in Colombia, and record amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl are produced in Mexico.
• 💔 Fentanyl has been a major scourge, but cocaine remains a significant issue, with both drugs contributing to record American deaths.
• 🚨 Cole stresses the urgency of this fight, calling it a "war we cannot afford to lose" and emphasizing the need to protect national security and borders.