Senator Lindsey Graham Wants US Military Deployed Against Drug Cartels

Mexico has long been known as a drug-cartel-controlled country. It has a democratic government, just like the US, but narco-terrorists operate with apparent impunity. More than 300,000 people have died in the country’s war against drug cartels since 2006. Tens of thousands of people have been kidnapped.

Four Americans were recently victims of cartel crime while visiting our southern neighbor. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke out about the tragedy and made a bold statement.

Kidnapping in Mexico

Four South Carolina residents, Latavia “Tay” McGee, Eric Williams, Zindell Brown, and Shaeed Woodard, crossed the US-Mexico border at Brownsville, Texas, into Matamoros, Tamaulipas, on March 3. The group was traveling in a white minivan with North Carolina license plates when they were attacked just a few blocks into the country. The area the four entered is known to be under the control of the Gulf cartel. The four were loaded into a white truck by armed men wearing body armor, according to video of the incident. Two of the victims left a blood trail on the ground while being dragged across the pavement in broad daylight in front of dozens of witnesses. The attack killed a Mexican woman who happened to be walking by.

According to The New York Times, Mexican authorities believed the four were misidentified as Haitian drug smugglers. In reality, they were there to assist McGee with a tummy tuck procedure.

Two of the kidnapping victims were rescued and returned to the United States on Tuesday, March 7. The bodies of the other two victims were being examined by Mexican authorities before being returned home. Officials have not identified the survivors, but reports indicate that McGee and Williams have returned to the United States. Woodward and Brown are said to have died.

Senators Respond

Graham appeared on Fox News’ Jesse Watters show on Monday, March 6, and discussed the kidnapping. He stated that he intends to introduce legislation designating some of the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which would “set the stage for the use of military force if necessary.” According to Graham, he would tell Mexico that if they do not solve the problem, the United States will.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) told Fox News that he doesn’t agree with Graham’s position. He said the answer to the problem with cartels is “not to invade Mexico.” Instead, he believes the US should use diplomacy to get the country in line.