Why U.S. military bombings haven't stopped the global cocaine boom
Summary
This episode examines the U.S. military’s "Operation Southern Spear" strikes on alleged drug boats, featuring Will Freeman from the Council on Foreign Relations. Freeman details the disappearance of an Ecuadorian fishing crew and argues that the strikes have failed to reduce cocaine supply, as evidenced by falling street prices and increased seizures. The discussion contrasts these military actions with the historical ineffectiveness of Plan Colombia and highlights the urgent need for robust domestic law enforcement and international cooperation to address the global drug trade.
Topics discussed
Sponsorships and show introduction
Context: Boat strikes and impact on fishing
Interview intro: The story of the Fiorella crew
Evidence: GPS tracks and fishing routes
Jaramillo: Transformation by drug trade
Critique of targeting criteria and assumptions
Sponsor break: Your Turn with Alison Aubrey
Cocaine origins and the limits of boat strikes
Alternative routes: Container ships and ports
DEA and Baltimore: Local market impacts
Expert analysis: Supply resilience and fentanyl
Market dynamics: Production glut and adaptation
Historical parallels and sponsor break
Plan Colombia: History and outcomes
Lessons from Plan Colombia and prohibition
Policy recommendations: Justice and cooperation
US domestic drug trade and closing remarks
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