On February 8, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) issued a statement calling on the Pentagon to focus its military resources on dismantling the leadership of the Jalisco Cartel.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) has recently joined the cause and introduced companion legislation in the House, aligning with Sen. Johnson’s efforts.
The original bill text can be found here. It states that the Department of Defense (DoD) must report to Congress every 90 days on their efforts to eliminate the leadership of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
According to Senator Cotton, Mexican drug cartels are responsible for killing Americans at a higher rate than any terrorist group in history. Among the various drug cartels, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is known for its extreme violence and poses a direct threat to the security of Americans residing in border states and beyond. Senator Cotton emphasizes the urgent need for the Biden administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure that these murderers are held accountable for their actions.
Luttrell emphasized that cartels are taking advantage of our border, running one of the largest human and drug trafficking operations globally. Their activities pose a significant danger to every part of our country.
“The safety of the American people is of utmost importance, and it is imperative that we identify and dismantle the Jalisco cartel, which is not only the most dangerous criminal organization in Mexico but also the second most powerful drug cartel. This legislation emphasizes the fact that we cannot allow the Jalisco cartel to continue operating with confidence at our border. It also highlights the need for the United States military to be prepared to take action and eliminate the Jalisco cartel if it is determined that deploying the Armed Forces is the most effective way to address the situation and protect our great nation.”
The CJNG is a highly militarized criminal organization that exhibits greater violence compared to other groups. It possesses specialized units for various types of warfare, including a special operations group. Additionally, the CJNG is known for its use of advanced tactics such as drone deployment and the utilization of rocket-propelled grenades. Notably, the organization is recognized for its infamous “hitman training program.”
The organization has faced consistent accusations of preying on their victims, and they are also notorious for adopting contemporary strategies such as utilizing social media for public relations and coordination efforts.
The cartel’s illicit activities have expanded over time, but the main sources of profit continue to be cocaine and methamphetamine.
Lawmakers at both the federal and state levels have previously expressed their disapproval towards the JNGC.
In 2019, Representative Chip Roy from Texas introduced a bill that aimed to classify the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, along with the Gulf Cartel and the Cártel del Noreste faction of Los Zetas.
Former U.S. president Donald Trump showed an “interest” in designating the cartels as such. However, he changed his stance under pressure from Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
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