Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made a bold declaration on Wednesday, vowing to deploy special forces into Mexico to combat the cartels responsible for trafficking fentanyl into the United States.
Speaking at the Republican presidential debate in Miami, DeSantis also pledged to construct a border wall, proposing to fund it by imposing taxes on the money earned by Mexican citizens working in the U.S. and sent back to their home country.
"I'm even going to build the border wall and have Mexico pay for it," DeSantis confidently asserted, taking a veiled jab at former President Donald Trump, who was not present at the debate.
Amidst the numerous disagreements among the five candidates, the issues of border security and fentanyl trafficking emerged as points of agreement. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie proposed deploying the National Guard to assist Customs and Border Protection in detecting fentanyl entering the country from Mexico. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina suggested imposing sanctions on the cartels to disrupt their financial operations.
During the discussion, DeSantis shared a poignant story about meeting a man whose son tragically lost his life after consuming a pharmaceutical laced with fentanyl. Fellow candidate Vivek Ramaswamy emphasized the prevalence of such stories, arguing that labeling these incidents as overdoses is an injustice. Ramaswamy contended that the situation is closer to bioterrorism, justifying the aggressive military approach advocated by the candidates.
Christie emphasized the importance of addressing the demand side of the opioid crisis, stressing the need for comprehensive treatment programs to break the cycle of addiction.
"It is a disease," Christie affirmed, highlighting the urgent need for a concerted effort to combat this public health crisis.
As the debate unfolded, the candidates demonstrated a shared commitment to tackling the pressing issues of border security and fentanyl trafficking, each offering their unique perspectives on how to address these challenges effectively.
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