US Representative Calls Military Strikes Against Narco-Traffickers Essential

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Florida congressional delegation, strongly defended military strikes against suspected narcotics boats near Venezuela during an appearance on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America” program Wednesday.

Gimenez, who sits on both the Homeland Security and Armed Services Committees, argued that these operations are essential to protecting U.S. citizens from a drug pipeline responsible for significant harm. He described the suspects as “narco-terrorists” whose cargo represents a severe threat to national security comparable in lethality to other explosive threats.

Gimenez characterized fentanyl and cocaine smuggling as an ongoing war against the United States that requires decisive government action. He asserted that battlefield commanders must be trusted to effectively neutralize armed drug trafficking networks, regardless of external political criticism or perceived inconsistencies in application over time.

He specifically addressed accusations leveled at Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding recent strikes on suspected narcotrafficking vessels near Venezuela. Critics have claimed from the left that Hegseth committed a war crime by authorizing follow-up attacks after initial hits. Gimenez dismissed these claims as politically motivated, drawing parallels to similar actions taken during the Obama administration without comparable public outcry at the time.

The representative emphasized trust in operational commanders and their ability to carry out necessary missions against transnational drug networks that pose substantial threats capable of impacting U.S. communities far more significantly than other international security challenges.