Trump Claims Immigration Win After Call With Mexico’s Leader
TimeDec 01
Mexico Seizes Record Fentanyl Haul
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Above: Police officers stand guard at the crime scene after a shooting confrontation that left two soldiers wounded, one of whom later died in the hospital in Culiacan, Sinaloa State, Mexico on Sept. 9, 2024. Image copyright: Ivan Medina/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Mexican security forces announced Wednesday that they captured over a ton of fentanyl pills in the state of Sinaloa, marking the country's largest-ever seizure of synthetic opioid fentanyl worth approximately $400M and equivalent to 20M doses.
The operation, conducted in the home state of the Sinaloa Cartel, occurred in two separate raids where authorities discovered 800 kgs (1.7K lbs) in one location and 300 kgs (660 lbs) in another, along with precursor chemicals and industrial equipment.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
This drug bust is a prime example of why Mexico is a critical ally of the US and should be treated with respect. Unfortunately, Trump has, for almost a decade now, chosen to blame Mexico and immigrants rather than poor US policy and drug demand. Building a wall and taxing Mexican imports won't stop Americans from using drugs — in fact, it will do the opposite, putting American security and economic interests in danger.
Republican narrative
Critics can offer all the pessimistic predictions they want, but the fact is that Trump, without entering office yet, is already forcing Mexico to take a stand against drug smuggling. Not only is Mexico stopping illegal immigrants and fentanyl from crossing the US border, but illegal migrants themselves are deciding to return home ahead of Trump's inauguration. As Pres. Biden sleeps his way to retirement, Trump is prepping the world for his incoming no-nonsense presidency.
