Angry Planet The War On Terror on Drugs
Sep 19, 2025
Mike LaSusa, Deputy Director of Content at InSight Crime and expert on organized crime, sheds light on America's evolving War on Drugs, particularly its recent adoption of War on Terror tactics. He discusses the legality and morality of a drone strike in Venezuela that killed 11 alleged terrorists, unpacking the implications for U.S. drug interdiction methods. LaSusa critiques labels like 'narco-terrorist,' the sustainability of violent approaches, and the challenges of addressing addiction as a public health concern in a system rife with contradictions.
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Motivation Distinguishes Crime From Terror
- 'Narco-terrorist' conflates different motives; drug groups seek profit, terrorism is ideological.
- Mislabeling can lead to ineffective policies because motivations determine effective responses.
Cartel Is Often A Misleading Term
- 'Cartel' often misdescribes modern criminal groups, which are decentralized networks.
- Using inaccurate labels hides how groups actually operate and weakens policy responses.
Militarized Campaigns Often Fail Long-Term
- Militarized crackdowns can temporarily reduce violence but often fragment groups and create long-term problems.
- El Salvador shows repression can lower violence short-term but raises rights and sustainability concerns.