International
US bets on new approach to anti-drug policies in Latin America
February 14th |
The Biden administration will redouble its domestic efforts and binational cooperation with Mexico to combat the fentanyl crisis in the United States, which has resulted in 70,000 overdose deaths annually.
In an interview with Voice of America, the director of the White House Office of Drug Control Policy, Rahul Gupta, indicated that the fentanyl crisis “does not begin or end at the border”, despite the fact that, according to official data, the vast majority of the synthetic opioid is produced by Mexican cartels and enters the country through the southern border.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported seizing enough fentanyl in 2022 to potentially have killed the entire U.S. population.
Gupta acknowledged that “there is no question” that “mistakes have been made in the past,” referring to U.S. anti-drug policy and its cooperation with countries in the Western Hemisphere. His statement is an alternate response to the position of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has called the anti-drug policy of several U.S. administrations “a failure”.
Question: What are the next steps this administration will take on the fentanyl crisis?
Answer: It is a priority for President Biden. When he went to Mexico to talk to President Lopez Obrador, as well as Prime Minister Trudeau, this was one of the most important things he also talked about. It’s important that we make sure that we have educational campaigns, especially so that children are aware and understand that they have the power not only to be aware of this deadly threat, but also to have Naloxone, the antidote, so that they can help their friends and others. In addition, making sure that we have the treatment available to everyone who needs it – we know that too many Americans today cannot get the treatment – then, along with the antidote, getting more people treated.
In this administration, President Biden highlighted how we have reached the highest levels of fentanyl seizures at the border, double that in 2020 and four times that in 2019. Why? Because we have implemented technology to be able to detect more. But the problem doesn’t start or end at the border. We have to work with Mexico. We have to work with them because we have a shared responsibility for the safety, security and health for the people of both countries.
What exactly is Mexico’s role in this strategy?
Mexico has a very important role as our neighbor to the south, as well as a long-time partner. Our relationship is often complex, but we know that people in Mexico are dying from overdoses and fentanyl intoxication just as they are in the United States. So, it’s very important that we work with a shared sense of responsibility, make sure that we are working to protect our country, that we are going after the bad actors who are intent on harming Americans and Mexicans.
At the same time, we are working to improve public health treatment and the antidote Naloxone, or Narcan, and make it available to anyone who needs it.
When President Biden says the U.S. will hold producers and traffickers accountable here in the U.S., how much does the U.S. trust Mexico on this issue?
It’s very important. As you know, in this administration we have some of the highest numbers of extraditions. We have made sure that we provide assistance to Mexico, in partnership, as a key player in helping us, but we also want to make sure that traffickers, manufacturers and others are held accountable for their actions in taking advantage of vulnerable people. This is important because we want to make sure that they do not profit at the expense of unsuspecting people dying and being poisoned. So it is important, whether in the United States or across the border, that our governments hold bad actors accountable in a strong way.
How close or far do you think the United States is from reversing the trend of fentanyl overdose deaths?
If you look at it, we’ve had over 107,000 [deaths]. And, clearly, the numbers were rising before the pandemic and were exacerbated during the pandemic for obvious reasons, like social isolation, the initial shutdown of treatment and all of that. During the pandemic, especially with President Biden’s leadership, what we’ve seen is more telehealth, which means more health care assistance to provide treatment to people in rural areas, in underserved communities through telemedicine.
We also saw the removal of barriers. And we have also seen an increase in prescribing of antidotes and treatments. Because of some of these activities, combined with the seizure of more fentanyl and the prosecution of traffickers, we are seeing in five months in a row a decrease in the number of people dying from fentanyl overdoses. But let me tell you, that’s not enough, because, while we’re happy to see nearly 3,000 lives saved, we have a long way to go.
Does this White House believe that the war on drugs is a “failed campaign,” as the president of Colombia has called it?
Let me tell you this: when President Petro took office in Colombia early last year, I helped him and worked with him as the first U.S. delegation. We had a good long conversation about it, and I said, “look, we recognize that not all U.S. policies have proven to have been successful, but the important part is that we have a problem where an American dies every five minutes all day long. You have a problem where the economy is very dependent on cocaine production. We need to work productively in our 200-year relationship to see how we can secure a future for both the American people and the Colombian people in a way that complements each other.
And we need to see a way forward that is humane, that protects the environment. Because I flew over with Vice President Marquez and I saw the destruction of illegal mining in the Amazon, illegal crops, and it’s not helpful for Colombians, even because they are looking for a good life, good quality of life. So, it is very important for us when we think about this, to do it in a way that is productive and that is mutually beneficial for security and health.
But would you call the war on drugs a “failed campaign”?
The way I would put this would be: we didn’t even know a few decades ago that addiction was a brain disease. We didn’t know that it is not a disease of choice but a disease of the brain that affects the whole body. We also didn’t know, we now know, that incarcerating yourself doesn’t get you out of trouble. So what are we doing now? We are trying to work to bring treatment to every prison and jail in the United States.
So, what I would answer is very clear, mistakes have been made in the past, there’s no question about that. However, what we need going forward is to look at how we work with public health, public safety, collectively to solve this for Americans, solve this for other people and countries around the world, and the urgency demands that we do it, and we do it in a hurry.
And how do you frame this strategy on drug producers in Colombia and other countries in the Western Hemisphere? Because here in the United States, of course, there is a framework on the public health issue, but they are also trying to catch the bad actors in this. So how do you find that part of this strategy?
When you look at a single mother in Tumaco, Colombia, who is producing coca for her children as a way of life to survive, it’s not so much about crime as it is about livelihood. So, the way we look at this is that we have to make sure that these farmers have the ability to own their own land. Let’s make sure that they have the ability to grow crops that can be exported globally and that they can make a living. It’s very important that as President [Biden] talks a lot about jobs and the importance of jobs, infrastructure in the United States, it’s the same in a way for every country in the world that we have to figure out how to get people gainfully employed, give hope and the ability to have that economic development as a way to address that. And those are exactly some of the things that we’re going to be working with countries like Colombia.
What about the other countries in the Western Hemisphere? How is cooperation on this drug issue?
We know that trafficking and smuggling is a hundreds of billions of dollars business. We know that drugs not only kill Americans, but the profits come back to cause destabilization, more crime and corruption and violence [in those countries]. It’s very important to us as a world leader that we continue to work as good partners with other countries in Latin America. And there is a history of us working with them, but we make sure that we are doing it in a way that gives us results, mutual respect and cooperation so that we can put the weight of the law on the bad actors, while ensuring that people everywhere have the opportunity to live in a safe and healthy way.
And finally, what about Venezuela? There is no relationship or cooperation between the two governments, of course, but Venezuela remains a key player in this industry.
Well, we will continue to focus with our partners in Colombia, and also in Ecuador, to make sure that the people there get the support in terms of both the people coming from Venezuela and the resources. That work will continue, but I don’t have anything new to report on that at this point from a policy change perspective.
International
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.
His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.
The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.
“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.
Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.
In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.
Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
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