Cartels had a lesson in FAFO. Yesterday in Apatzingán, Michoacán, Mexican soldiers were ambushed by cartel gunmen from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Mexico’s new administration doesn’t retreat. They called in the big guns—literally. An armed helicopter from Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense was deployed and lit up the hillside. Five cartel fighters didn’t make it out. After the confrontation, Mexican military and police launched a joint operation to secure the area and hunt down any remaining cartel gunmen. For too long, cartel thugs have operated as a terrorist insurgency—with heavy weapons, tactical gear, and complete disregard for law and life. This is the moment. We have willing partners in Mexico, and a willing administration in the White House. I’ve been beating the drum about getting legislation done that would deliver the resources to take the cartels out (a Black Hawk helicopter, for instance, is not an assault helicopter, as it’s easy to shoot down. They need better aircraft.) These cartels aren’t just Mexico’s problem—they’re ours too. We should be on offense.
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