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Trump’s new DEA chief vows to build multinational coalition to take down drug cartels

By ljdevon // 2025-02-03

In a bold declaration of war against Mexican drug cartels, newly appointed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief Derek Maltz has pledged to assemble a multinational “army of good to fight evil.” In his first interview since taking office, Maltz outlined an aggressive, multi-agency strategy to dismantle the cartels, which he described as a dire threat to U.S. national security and future generations. The announcement comes as the Trump administration intensifies its focus on border security and illegal immigration, with Maltz emphasizing the need for urgent action and international cooperation. His vision includes leveraging tariffs on Mexico as a tool to pressure its government into greater collaboration. Key points: • New DEA chief Derek Maltz vows to build a multinational coalition to combat Mexican cartels. • Maltz calls for a “sense of urgency” and a multi-agency approach to dismantle cartels. • Trump’s 25% tariffs on Mexico could serve as leverage to secure Mexican cooperation. • Maltz emphasizes targeting violent criminals while distinguishing them from migrants seeking better lives.

A call to arms against cartels

Maltz, a 28-year DEA veteran, described the cartels as a sophisticated and well-armed enemy that has grown increasingly powerful. “We’ve watched the growth of the cartels using advanced technology, advanced weapons systems,” he said. “They built up an army down there, and to be honest, in the past, we were not getting the adequate cooperation from our partners in Mexico.” The DEA chief stressed that traditional law enforcement tactics, such as arrests and extraditions, are no longer sufficient. “We can’t just continue to arrest them in America, create indictments, do extraditions, because that’s not good enough,” he said. “We need a sense of urgency. And in my view, we have to use all of the American patriots that have the full capabilities and parties to decimate our enemies.” Maltz sees President Trump’s recently announced 25% tariffs on Mexico as a potential catalyst for greater collaboration. “We are going to work together, and we’re going to make sure that the accountability is put in place,” he said. “So I believe [it] would be a very significant measure to move this in the right direction.” The tariffs, initially introduced to address immigration concerns, could now serve a dual purpose by pressuring Mexican officials to crack down on cartels operating within their borders. Maltz emphasized that the cartels are not just a Mexican problem but a shared threat. “The Mexican cartels are the enemy of our children, and they’re a disaster for our country,” he said.

A battle for the future

Maltz’s strategy extends beyond U.S. borders, leveraging the DEA’s global network to target cartels at their source. “DEA has a global footprint,” he said. “We have a tremendous source network around the world. We’re going to use all of our capabilities to support the agencies. We’ve already started to do it.” He also highlighted the importance of distinguishing between violent criminals and migrants seeking better lives. “There is nobody in this administration that I’m aware of that is prioritizing the removal right now [of migrants who] are very poor, you know, families trying to have a better life,” Maltz said. “I mean, [U.S. authorities] have a prioritization. And right now the priority is the most violent and the most serious criminals that are here, devastating our community.” Maltz’s vision represents a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s approach to combating drug cartels, framing the issue as a moral and existential battle. “I don’t care what we actually call them. I care about holding them accountable for destroying our future generations,” he said. The DEA chief’s call for a multinational coalition echoes historical efforts to combat global threats, such as the alliances formed during World War II. Just as nations once united to defeat fascism, Maltz envisions a similar coalition to dismantle the cartels. Sources include: NYPost.com AOL.com Youtube.com

national security Mexico drug cartels war drug war children's health justice DEA fentanyl enemies human trafficking tariffs future generations global alliance interagency approach multinational coalition no tolerance