This is after he first ordered three military strikes in September on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean, and again several more this month. Trump said he did so in an attempt to thwart cartel and foreign terrorist organizations from smuggling fentanyl and other illicit drugs to the U.S. to stop the drug war once and for all.
The Trump administration designated the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua as a FTO in February and has also levied sanctions against Venezuela and Colombia, where cartels and FTOs have long orchestrated global drug and human smuggling operations.
By early October, Trump told Congress the U.S. was engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels in the Caribbean. On Friday, he said he planned to provide more information to Congress about using the U.S. military to target drug cartel operations, The Center Square reported.
While critics argue the president is escalating conflict in the Caribbean, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard have been interdicting cartel and FTO drug and human smuggling, including in the Caribbean, for years. In addition to targeting cartel operatives, they’ve also been arresting illegal foreign nationals from countries of foreign concern like Russia.
In the first three months of the Trump administration, USCG crews hit a milestone of interdicting more than 80,000 pounds of illicit drugs being smuggled by drug cartels attempting to reach the U.S. Their efforts were part of a U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) directive that deployed two U.S. Navy warships to the southwest border in direct support of Coast Guard interdiction efforts, The Center Square reported.
Last month, federal agents made history by seizing the largest volume of precursors used to produce methamphetamine after interdicting two shipments from two ships on the high seas. DHS Homeland Security Investigations international agents in Guatemala, Panama and Mexico worked closely with foreign law enforcement partners to consolidate shipments in Panama and divert them to the Port of Houston, The Center Square reported.
Their efforts through HSI Operation Hydra are continuing to target drug trafficking by hitting the supply line of chemical precursors used to manufacture fentanyl and methamphetamine being shipped from China to cartel operatives.
Nearly 700,000 pounds of precursor chemicals were seized from two ships in this operation – the largest volume seized in U.S. history.
By comparison, in fiscal 2024, CPB agents seized nearly 174,000 pounds of methamphetamine at the southwest border alone, according to CBP data.
Supporters of Trump’s actions argue military action will better support CBP Marine and Air Operations (AMO) officers and USCG crew who have been combatting drug and smuggling operations at sea with limited resources near Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
As the border crisis escalated during the Biden administration, CBP AMO and Border Patrol officers working out of the CBP Ramey Sector and USCG crew made record apprehensions. In the first 10 months of the Trump administration, they continue to arrest drug and human smugglers and seize illicit drugs and contraband.
One week after Trump was sworn into office, AMO and USCG interdicted a vessel attempting to smuggle nearly 300 pounds of cocaine around the northern coast of Puerto Rico. Not soon after, AMO seized nearly 800 pounds of cocaine near Dorado, Puerto Rico. They also seized an additional 335 pounds of cocaine north of Luquillo a few months later with the assistance of Coast Guard aircraft based in Miami.
By June, seizure volumes increased, including more than 500 pounds of cocaine after AMO detected a vessel three nautical miles from Rincon. In a major nighttime interdiction operation, AMO seized 1,155 pounds of cocaine (22 bales) south of Cabo Rojo and also arrested foreign nationals.
In an international operation working with British, Dutch and French law enforcement, AMO officers seized even more: 3,175 pounds of cocaine near Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands. Fifteen men from a range of countries were arrested, CBP said. Not soon after, another 170 pounds of cocaine was seized near Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico, and more illegal foreign nationals were arrested.
By July, seizure volumes continued to increase at sea and on land. In one operation, AMO officers apprehended Venezuelans and seized more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine near Maunabo, Puerto Rico. In another, they seized nearly 600 pounds of cocaine roughly five miles west of Cabo Rojo. In another, they seized a record nearly 4,000 pounds of cocaine near Cabo Rojo.
Border Patrol and USCG also continue to apprehend foreign nationals from countries of foreign concern. Earlier this year, they arrested Russian nationals in an alleged smuggling attempt roughly five nautical miles west of Aguadilla. They also interdicted another smuggling attempt off the coast of Vieques, Puerto Rico, apprehending Uzbekistan nationals.
More recently, they interdicted a vessel near the shoreline of Combate in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, and arrested more than a dozen from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
Interdiction is different than killing.
It is amazing that people would allow the government the power to kill people without any evidence other than the government saying “trust us, they were bad guys”.
We know what the left thinks of MAGA people; insurectionists and domestic terrorists or Nazi’s. That people would trust leftists with this power is staggering.
Yeah? And how many cargo ships have they blown out of the water? Let me guess, zero?