Cartel Wars: How America Must Adapt to Defeat Our #1 Enemy | Chad Wolf
Aug 28, 2023
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Former Acting Secretary of the U.S. DHS, Chad Wolf, joins Rep. Crenshaw to discuss challenges within DHS, corruption in the Mexican government, changes in immigration under Biden, and the problem with designating cartels as terrorist organizations. They highlight the need for strategic leadership, resource allocation, coordinated efforts, and innovative approaches to combat the Mexican drug cartels.
The podcast emphasizes the need for a high-level authority to coordinate efforts, address corrupt politicians, and target complex supply chains in order to effectively combat Mexican drug cartels.
The podcast highlights the importance of engaging with countries in Central America, implementing smarter border strategies, and addressing corruption at all levels to effectively combat the narcotics trade.
Deep dives
Lack of strategic leadership in tackling the cartel problem
The podcast discusses the lack of strategic leadership in addressing the cartel problem. It highlights the need for a high-level authority to combine efforts, such as local dealer control, dealing with corrupt politicians, complex supply chains, precursors from China, financing, and operations targeting the cartels. It emphasizes the importance of elevating the issue within the NSC or the vice president's office to effectively coordinate resources and hold accountable key agencies like the Department of Justice and DHS.
The complexity of the cartels and the Mexican government's involvement
The podcast explores the complexities surrounding the cartels and the Mexican government's role. It mentions the existence of corrupt politicians, judges, attorneys, and prosecutors who are in control, in addition to cartels running entire towns and states. It raises the challenge of dealing with Mexican culture and politics and the need for a carrot and stick approach in negotiations. The podcast also highlights the confusion surrounding the Mexican government's actions and metrics for success when it comes to addressing the cartel problem.
The impact of border policies and the necessity for attention from the US
The podcast discusses the effectiveness and implications of border policies in relation to the cartel problem. It mentions the decrease in illegal crossings, while pointing out the increase in point of entry numbers. It highlights the importance of paying attention and engaging with countries like El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala to address the issue at its roots. The podcast argues that increased attention from the US, political communication, and implementing smarter strategies are key to combating the narcotics trade, including addressing corruption at all levels and providing necessary resources like close air support to the Mexican military.
The first episode in a special series documenting Rep. Crenshaw’s work as Chairman of the Task Force to Combat Mexican Drug Cartels. Chad Wolf is the former Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under President Trump. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to give a high-level overview of the strategic challenges the United States faces targeting the Mexican drug cartels. They cover operational and hierarchical challenges within DHS, corruption in the Mexican government, how the Trump Administration made in-roads with Central American governments, how immigration flows are changing under Biden, the problem with designating cartels as terrorist organizations, and more.
Chad Wolf is the Executive Director of the America First Policy Institute and the President of Wolf Global Advisors, a strategic advisory and public policy firm addressing domestic and international security and risk challenges. Follow him on Twitter at @ChadFWolf.
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