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Trump’s crackdown on crime: U.S. declare drug cartels as “global terrorists”

Published

12 months ago

February 21, 2025

As transnational criminal organizations exploit financial loopholes, experts call for stronger enforcement and anti-money laundering measures.

President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders aim to disrupt the financial power of transnational criminal organizations, particularly those fueling the fentanyl trade.

With drug cartels exploiting financial loopholes, shell companies, and free trade zones, illicit networks are becoming harder to track and dismantle.

Experts warn that these criminal enterprises launder billions of dollars through sophisticated schemes, including trade-based money laundering and offshore banking.

Analysts are now calling for aggressive countermeasures, such as enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act to unmask anonymous shell companies and expanding Trade Transparency Units to track illicit financial flows globally.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has also raised concerns, with some experts arguing that it facilitates strategic corruption and illicit financial activity.

Additionally, risky free trade zones in regions like Panama, Peru, and the UAE have become hotbeds for money laundering.

Trump’s executive orders seek to leverage existing laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, to combat cartel-related corruption.

The administration is also considering new policies to enhance financial transparency, disrupt drug financing, and impose stricter regulations on high-risk trade hubs.

With the fentanyl crisis continuing to claim lives, officials stress that dismantling the financial networks behind these operations is just as critical as tackling drug distribution.

As enforcement efforts ramp up, the battle against transnational crime is entering a new phase—one that will test the strength of U.S. financial and national security policies.

David Luna, the Executive Director of the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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Ukraine and Russia set for U.S.-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi

Published

20 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that new peace talks with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi later this week. The discussions are part of U.S.-led efforts to find a path toward ending the ongoing war.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is prepared for meaningful dialogue aimed at achieving peace. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over the timing of the meeting.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff described prior discussions with Russian officials as productive, though major disagreements over territorial issues remain unresolved.

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Tensions rise as Iran threatens conflict and U.S. increases naval forces

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Published

21 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Iran has warned of a potential regional conflict if the U.S. launches an attack, while labelling European armies as terrorists. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted that threats from President Trump will not intimidate the Iranian people.

The U.S. has ramped up its naval presence in the Middle East in response to mounting threats, amid speculation over Iran’s next moves. Iranian officials have denied claims of imminent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to global uncertainty.

#MiddleEastCrisis #IranUS #Geopolitics #NavalTensions #Trump #AyatollahKhamenei #EuropeanUnion #GlobalConflict

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Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Published

21 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Carlos Alcaraz has stunned the tennis world by winning the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.

The world number one beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set match, finishing 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic missed out on claiming his 25th Grand Slam title. To mark the milestone, Alcaraz revealed he plans to add a new tattoo of a kangaroo on his leg, joining his existing Eiffel Tower and Wimbledon strawberry tattoos.

#CarlosAlcaraz #AustralianOpen #GrandSlam #TennisHistory #NovakDjokovic #SportsNews #TennisTattoo #YoungChampion