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Expert: Mexico drug cartels are big U.S. security risk

by Jim Cross/KTAR (August 31st, 2010 @ 5:15am)

PHOENIX -- A former FBI terrorism expert says it's time for a summit on the escalating violence among Mexican drug cartels.

"Our president, in my view, should be down there or sending his vice president and others," said Jack Cloonan. "There needs to be a strategic conference about this escalating violence. This is a threat to U.S. national security."

Cloonan said Mexican drug cartels are the biggest national security threat in the Western Hemisphere.

He said they are entrenched in U.S. cities mostly because of America's appetite for drugs.

"As long as that is there, we are going to be plagued with these problems," he said.

About 28,000 people in Mexico have been killed at the hands of the cartels since 2006 when Mexico's President Felipe Calderon turned up the heat, Cloonan said.

"Calderon's approach at this point and battle plan at present is failing. I don't know strategically what he plans on doing next."

The cartels are heavily-armed and well funded and will not give up because the United States refuses to take them on, said Cloonan.

"It's lawlessness at unprecedented levels."

While Arizonans are well aware of the dangers posed by the Mexican drug cartels, that's not the case across much of the U.S., he said.

"Once when it crosses the border and we have multiple homicides on our side of the border, as a result of what happened on the other side, then the United States will take issue. Right now, we've sort of got our blinders on."

He said the nation and the Obama Administration need to wake up to how dangerous the cartels really are.

"Are we going to turn our back on our border states? That's why there's such hot tempers. It needs to be spoken from the bully pulpit and the president needs to address it."


Last 5 Comments

  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Mexico is to Blame!
    Bobby
    Don't even try to say that these cartel people are being drug smuggling, murdering, terrorist because it's America's fault. That's a pile a crap! The Mexican Government has done little or nothing to control their extremely corrupt county EVER!!! Now that the US is spending Millions Anually to help the Mexican Government police themselves, you want to blame AMERICANS? Go to H888 you self rightous pig!
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    This country is hungry for drugs
    ColdHeat
    I think there needs to be stronger enforcement and national presence used to work to cut down on drug cartels in the States, but I also think we need much stronger drug laws and enforcement of drug crimes. This countries desire for drugs is part of the problem. Supply and Demand. As long as people here demand it, the drug cartels will fight to supply it.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Mr. President~
    ursulapete
    Hello, where is our President? Is he on vacation..... AGAIN? Time is up and he has not proven himself to be worth anything. Americans need a President that actually cares about the quality of life for its' CITIZENS!
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Wow. Really?
    Drum Man
    The drug cartels are a threat? Who knew? Thanks for that bit of riviting info. Note to self: Drug Cartels = BAD.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Having traveled and worked in Latin America for a
    ILoveArizona
    a number of years, I can tell you that the cartels were allowed to grow and fester as long as the drugs went north and the money flowed and the government had control. The cartels have grown into the 1000lb gorilla. Mexico's disfunctional culture of enriching the already rich and placating the poor with scrapes as they promote the illegal invasion of the USA is what got them to this point. With out a doubt; drug use in the USA is a problem, but it was not helped by Mexico's tacit approval of the cartels. Just as it now approves of their people "immigrating" and demands their "rights".
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