Former CIA officer John Kiriakou said the fight against drug cartels entered a new phase after President Donald Trump designated the organizations as terrorist groups, a move he said changed how U.S. intelligence agencies could operate against them.

During an exchange with Jesse Watters, the discussion focused on the recent elimination of a top cartel figure and the role of U.S. intelligence in the operation.

"John Kiriakou is a former CIA agent, so the fact that they took out this top dog with help from US intelligence. Does that mean the war on drugs is entering a different phase?" Watters asked.

Kiriakou responded that the shift began a year earlier.

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"Oh, I think it is. I think it entered a different phase a year ago when Donald Trump said that the that the cartels were terrorist organizations. That wasn't just public relations. What that did is it freed up money appropriated by Congress and allowed the CIA, the NSA, and DOD to participate in these hunts. It really did change the battlefield in the in the war against the drug cartels."

According to Kiriakou, the terrorist designation expanded the operational scope of federal agencies by unlocking congressionally appropriated funds and permitting greater coordination among the CIA, National Security Agency, and Department of Defense in anti-cartel efforts.

Watters then raised concerns about escalating cartel violence and the possibility of American casualties.

"So the cartels are retaliating. It's kind of getting gruesome. Americans are stranded there. What would happen if an American tourist was killed in this cartel warfare? What would trump do?" Watters asked.

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Kiriakou said such an event would likely intensify U.S. involvement.

"That would certainly up the ante, and I think that he's very serious about protecting Americans and American interests, and I think that that we would have to become more involved if there were active threats against Americans."

The discussion turned to Mexico’s political leadership and whether the current administration in Mexico was fully committed to confronting the cartels, particularly after a major cartel leader was eliminated with reported U.S. intelligence support.

"Do you think that the President of Mexico is taking this seriously? I mean, this is a pretty big dog that was just obliterated. She is rumored to have relationships with cartels. They kind of help her stay in power. The fact that the United States participated through intelligence sharing. Does that throw her off balance?" Watters asked.

Kiriakou acknowledged that some elements within Mexico’s government could be relied upon in the fight against organized crime.

"It may. There are elements of the Mexican government, especially the military structure, the Federales, the Federal Police, that are actually honest. They're good partners. They can be trusted, and they are very happy to crack the heads of these cartel leaders. Presidents come and go in Mexico, President Sheinbaum isn't going to be president forever. A lot of other Mexican presidents have had the support, at least tacit support, of the cartels. It's time to let the professionals do their jobs."

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