Call to Action Against Drug Cartels
Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) is urging Congress to back a collaborative effort between the U.S. and Mexico to tackle drug cartels, particularly following the death of “El Mencho,” the notorious leader of the “El Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación” (CJNG), which is considered one of the most violent cartels.
“This marks the start of a significant confrontation with Mexico’s most ruthless cartel,” Crenshaw remarked in a post on X recently.
A former Navy SEAL, Crenshaw sees the attack on El Mencho as a vital step in intensifying U.S. efforts against cartels and believes it offers a chance for deeper cooperation between the American and Mexican military forces.
“While there has been considerable focus on the Sinaloa Cartel lately, we need to redirect our attention to CJNG. They are both significant players in the fentanyl trafficking scene, yet CJNG resembles ISIS more than the Mafia,” he explained.
Crenshaw is convinced that Congress should actively combat this looming threat. “I’ve drafted more than a dozen bills aimed at bolstering military, intelligence, and law enforcement operations in Mexico. It’s time for legislative committees to take them seriously,” he stated.
Among these proposals, Crenshaw and 24 co-sponsors proposed a bill last year allowing the U.S. military to engage violently against those they identify as drug traffickers.
If passed, this bill would empower the president to deploy military resources against countries, groups, or individuals involved in fentanyl trafficking into the U.S.
Recently, Crenshaw has been at the forefront of the North American Security Initiative, advocating for increased U.S. support for special forces in Mexico, similar to the resources allocated for conflicts in Ukraine and Russia.
He has urged the U.S. to supply equipment, arms, and intelligence to Mexico, arguing it would strengthen their partnership.
An information packet from Crenshaw’s office stated, “Unilateral actions will merely alienate current partnerships. Our immediate goal is to disrupt the fentanyl networks responsible for countless American deaths.”
A source familiar with Crenshaw’s plans mentioned he is working alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to push for a similar cartel-focused initiative soon.
“We now have a reliable partner in the Mexican government,” Crenshaw expressed. “For the first time, we can focus on extensive intelligence gathering on cartels, largely due to previous FISA amendments that permitted such measures. We are finally ready to confront them. This won’t be a quick fix, but we need to get started.”
