In the intensifying fight against drug cartels, President Trump seems to be taking inspiration from Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
Yet, similar to the Reagan era, there are underlying motives beyond just combating drug trafficking. It looks like there’s a covert agenda to sway governments in Latin America, and even remove leftist leaders. The socio-political climate in the U.S. in 2025 feels oddly reminiscent of the pre-Reagan years. Perhaps that’s part of why Trump is zeroing in on regime change in Venezuela (and Iran), but is framing it as a broader war on cartels instead of directly targeting socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro.
A troubling legacy from past wars
Following the Vietnam War, Americans grew increasingly weary of foreign meddling. The conflict ended poorly, leaving a fractured and scarred nation. It also heightened class disparities; while affluent college students evaded conscription, less fortunate youths were sent to fight and returned home to stigmatization and PTSD. A noteworthy clash between construction workers and anti-war protesters unfolded on May 8, 1970, in Manhattan. The workers’ sons, likely drafted, saw the protestors as spoiled and unpatriotic. Meanwhile, the protestors regarded the workers as misguided victims of government propaganda.
The aftermath of Vietnam continues to influence American views on foreign conflicts today. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars, which stretched from the early 2000s to the 2010s, also failed to achieve their goals. Trillions spent and countless lives lost; yet neither country emerged as a thriving democracy. The situation in Afghanistan deteriorated rapidly once U.S. forces departed, collapsing the government long supported by American funds.
Today’s divisions and unrest find echoes in the societal turmoil of the 1960s and ’70s. Faced with surging crime and drug abuse, former President Nixon initiated a campaign that targeted both drug supply and demand. For supply, he empowered federal law enforcement, pushed for more funding, and sought new regulations for drug companies. To address demand, the Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention was created to consolidate treatment and rehabilitation efforts.
The drug war saw a pause during Jimmy Carter’s presidency, when he chose a softer approach focused on “harm reduction” and advocated for the decriminalization of marijuana. However, Reagan later revitalized the war on drugs. He reverted to Nixon’s strategies, stating in 1982, “We are working on a drug policy that might be called ‘hot pursuit.’ We’re not going to let them go. We have lowered the surrender flag and raised the battle flag. And we’re going to win the war on drugs.”
Reagan’s policies were reinforced by National Security Decisions Directive 221 in 1986, which classified drugs as a national security challenge and escalated U.S. military involvement abroad. This marked the first time counterinsurgency techniques were linked with anti-drug efforts, allowing the government to combat international drug trafficking networks.
Narco-terrorism and political agendas
In the 1980s, the term “narco-terrorism” gained traction, commonly referring to Latin American drug cartels and political violence. Reagan viewed the rise of communist and socialist movements in Latin America as a significant threat, often employing covert strategies to counter them as part of his broader foreign policy. This led to the notorious Iran-Contra affair, where funds from arms sales to Iran were secretly diverted to support anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua.
To effectively engage in Latin America, Reagan needed a new rationale for military action. The Vietnam War had tarnished U.S. credibility on the global stage. He found legitimacy in the context of the domestic drug crisis, utilizing it to gain public backing for military initiatives in Latin America. Framing drug trafficking as a national security threat allowed sustained military funding even as the Cold War’s grip weakened.
A similar scenario is unfolding under the Trump administration. Aware that the American public is hesitant about prolonged foreign military engagements, it’s borrowing the same playbook from Reagan. Although it portrays its actions as a fight against drug cartels, there’s an evident push for regime change.
In late July, Trump authorized military actions against groups designated as terrorist organizations, notably Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles, both linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. However, such claims have sparked controversy among U.S. intelligence circles.
Just as the Reagan administration implicated the Cuban government in drug trafficking to the U.S., the Trump administration accuses Maduro of similar involvement. They allege that drug profits are destabilizing U.S. society and supporting leftist movements across the Americas.
During a press conference, Trump was questioned about CIA operations in Venezuela. His response echoed Reagan’s style, proclaiming that the released prisoners from Venezuela pose significant risks. He claimed many of these individuals, entering through an open border, are linked to drug activities, stating, “A lot of drugs come in from Venezuela…through the ocean.”
It’s becoming increasingly evident that the Trump administration’s aim extends beyond merely targeting drug shipments. They seek to oust Maduro and are willing to employ CIA strategies within Venezuelan borders to achieve this, much like Reagan’s approach of using the drug crisis to justify broader interventions.
