BONUS: On the Road in Mexico Urging the Mexican Government to get Serious about Defeating Cartels plus Dems Bemoan Trump's Fighting Violent Crime

In this powerful episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson break down Cruz’s recent diplomatic trip to El Salvador, Panama, and Mexico, offering exclusive insights into foreign policy, national security, and the fight against crime—both abroad and at home.

🔹 El Salvador: Cruz applauds President Nayib Bukele’s aggressive crackdown on gangs like MS-13 and 18th Street, which has led to a dramatic drop in homicide rates. He contrasts this success with the U.S.’s ongoing struggles with crime and illegal immigration.

🔹 Panama: After touring the Panama Canal, Cruz raises alarms about China’s growing influence in the region—highlighting strategic infrastructure projects that could threaten U.S. economic and national security in a future conflict.

🔹 Mexico: Cruz meets with top Mexican officials to push for stronger cooperation on border security and cartel dismantling. He critiques Mexico’s rejection of U.S. military involvement and compares it to successful models like Plan Colombia and El Salvador’s approach.

Back home, the conversation shifts to domestic crime and politics:

🔸 Cruz slams Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for downplaying Chicago’s violent crime crisis, citing its 13-year streak as the U.S. murder capital.

🔸 He argues that Democratic policies in states like Illinois and California mirror Mexico’s reluctance to confront criminal organizations.

🔸 With the 2025 midterms on the horizon, Cruz warns of a Republican “enthusiasm gap” and stresses the importance of voter turnout, despite early policy wins under Trump.

Key Themes: U.S. foreign policy, China’s influence in Latin America, border security, cartel violence, crime in American cities, 2025 elections, Republican strategy, and Democratic policy failures.

🎧 Don’t miss this episode packed with geopolitical analysis, hard-hitting crime stats, and bold political commentary.

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