Making the Argument with Nick Freitas Should Trump Drone Strike Cartels?
Dec 11, 2025
In this discussion, Christian Hines, a co-host known for his insights on policy and national security, delves into the devastating impact of drug cartels on American society. He and Nick analyze the alarming rise of fentanyl-related deaths and how cartels have industrialized drug production, with connections to China. They explore the implications of treating cartels as insurgents, examine Venezuela's role in drug trafficking, and critique the failures of legalization efforts. The conversation culminates in proposing bold policy responses to combat the escalating crisis.
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Recent Surge In Overdose Deaths
- Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. surged after 2015 and spiked again after 2020, driven largely by synthetics like fentanyl.
- About two-thirds of drug deaths from 2003–2023 trace to imports from countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and China.
Cartels Operate Like Industrial Enterprises
- Cartels have industrialized production and supply chains, operating like legal enterprises with government complicity in some countries.
- That scale creates greater efficiency and lethality compared with small-scale, dispersed operations of the past.
Drug Trade Fuels U.S. Homicide And Gang Violence
- The domestic violence spike and much urban gang gun violence tie directly to drug markets fighting over turf.
- Cartels now use drones, IEDs, armored vehicles and act like insurgent militaries in certain regions.