1. Trip Recap & Foreign Relations
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El Salvador:
Cruz praises President Nayib Bukele for drastically reducing homicide rates by aggressively targeting gangs like MS-13 and 18th Street. He contrasts El Salvador’s success with U.S. crime and immigration challenges.
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Panama:
He toured the Panama Canal and highlighted U.S. concerns about China’s growing influence there, including ports, bridges, and tunnels near the canal. Cruz warns that China could disrupt canal traffic in a future conflict, threatening U.S. national and economic security.
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Mexico:
Cruz met with senior Mexican officials (Foreign Secretary, Defense Secretary, Agriculture Secretary). He urged cooperation on border security and dismantling drug cartels, stressing Trump’s policies and a reported 99% drop in illegal border crossings.
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Mexican leaders, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, rejected U.S. military involvement, citing “sovereignty.”
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Cruz compared Mexico’s stance to El Salvador’s crackdown and Colombia’s Plan Colombia (early 2000s), arguing that success requires political will.
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He warned that if Mexico refuses, the U.S. may still act militarily against cartels under Trump’s leadership.
2. Domestic Politics & Crime
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Cruz and Ferguson shift focus to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, criticizing him for downplaying crime in Chicago.
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Cruz cites statistics on Chicago’s murder rate (highest in the U.S. for 13 consecutive years) and argues Democrats prioritize criminals over victims.
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He frames Democrat policies in Illinois, California, and nationally as failures comparable to Mexico’s refusal to confront cartels.
3. Broader Political Commentary
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Cruz claims Democrats have become the “party of criminals,” siding with offenders over law-abiding citizens.
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He notes polling showing Americans are highly concerned about crime in cities.
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Discussion touches on 2025 midterm elections:
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Republicans may benefit from Democrat extremism.
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But Cruz worries about a GOP “enthusiasm gap,” citing a special election loss in Iowa.
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He stresses the need for Republican voter turnout despite Trump’s early policy “successes.”
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