President-Elect Donald Trump has laid out a bold plan to end the drug epidemic in the United States by declaring an aggressive war on drug cartels. His strategy aims to address the ongoing opioid crisis and illegal drug trade by taking unprecedented action against these powerful criminal organizations. “We will show no mercy on the cartels,” Trump declared, emphasizing his determination to dismantle cartel operations that he believes fuel the epidemic impacting communities nationwide.

Here are the main points of President-Elect Trump’s proposed plan:

1. Deploying Military Assets Against Cartels

President-Elect Trump proposes the deployment of all necessary military assets, including the United States Navy, to impose a full naval embargo against drug cartels. This measure would aim to prevent cartels from using international waters in the Western Hemisphere to traffic drugs into the United States. The use of military force in this capacity would signal a major shift toward treating cartel operations as a direct national security threat.

2. Ensuring Drug-Free Waters in the Western Hemisphere

To further curb drug trafficking, Trump aims to ensure that the waters surrounding the U.S. and neighboring countries are free of illicit drug transport. By targeting the transit routes used by cartels, he seeks to cut off supply lines before drugs reach American shores.

3. Leveraging Special Forces and Cyber Warfare

In a significant escalation, Trump has vowed to utilize special forces, cyber warfare tactics, and other covert and overt operations to target cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operational bases. By directing the Department of Defense to implement these measures, he hopes to inflict maximum damage on cartel organizations and cripple their ability to function effectively.

4. Designating Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Trump’s plan includes a proposal to designate major drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This would expand the legal tools available to U.S. law enforcement and military agencies, allowing for broader international collaboration and potentially harsher penalties for individuals and entities involved with cartels.

5. Cutting Cartels Off from Global Financial Systems

Trump also aims to sever the cartels’ access to global financial systems. Cartels rely heavily on financial networks for money laundering and international transactions; cutting off this access would significantly limit their financial reach and operational capabilities.

6. Securing Cooperation from Other Governments

To gain support from international partners, Trump has called for full cooperation from other governments. He has threatened to reveal “every bribe, every kickback, every payoff, and every bit of corruption” that may enable cartel activities if foreign governments do not work with the U.S. to stop these operations. This measure is aimed at reducing corruption that allows cartels to operate with impunity in some countries.

7. Pursuing the Death Penalty for Drug Smugglers and Human Traffickers

To further deter those involved in the drug trade, President-Elect Trump plans to ask Congress to pass legislation mandating the death penalty for drug smugglers and human traffickers. He believes this step would serve as a powerful deterrent against the individuals and organizations responsible for bringing illicit drugs and exploiting vulnerable populations through trafficking.

A Promise to Dismantle Drug Trafficking Networks

President-Elect Trump concludes his plan with a firm statement, pledging that when he assumes office, “the drug kingpins and vicious traffickers will never sleep soundly again.” His proposed approach represents an uncompromising stance against the cartels and signals a willingness to employ both military and legislative measures to achieve his goals.

While President-Elect Trump’s plan is ambitious and focuses on an intensified military and intelligence approach, it has sparked debate about its potential effectiveness, the implications of deploying military force, and the broader impact on U.S. relations with neighboring countries. If implemented, the plan could reshape America’s drug policy, placing an unprecedented focus on confronting foreign cartels through a combination of military action, diplomatic pressure, and legal reform.