Latest news with #USSGravely
The Hill
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
A drug kingpin's lawyer is the new poster child for Mexico's judiciary
In recent years, the Mexican government has done everything possible to change the narrative and demonstrate that America's main trading partner is also its main ally on immigration and the fight against illegal drug-trafficking. Despite these efforts, the country's recent judicial elections sent the wrong message, turning Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán's iconic lawyer, Silvia Delgado García, into the new poster child for Mexico's judicial system. In February, President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration handed over to the U.S. Rafael Caro Quintero, a drug lord linked to the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena. It was no small feat. Former Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush (father and son), Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden all tried to convince Mexico to help them capture the person responsible for this crime. President Trump finally won this peace offering alongside the extradition of 28 heavyweight drug lords. Mexico also sent 10,000 troops to the border with the U.S., with thousands spent on deploying military forces, transportation and other expenses for the sole purpose of telling America not to worry, we'll take care of the border. Mexico not only assumed border migration issues as a shared responsibility, but also agreed to receive expelled migrants from other countries. Mexico has also made significant drug seizures to show the U.S. that there is no reason to impose new trade tariffs as a punishment. Earlier this month, 42 metric tons of methamphetamines and 2,300 gallons of chemical precursors were seized by Mexican authorities. In short, Mexico has abruptly shifted from denying the very existence of fentanyl production to making the largest fentanyl seizure in its history. The Mexican government, despite its usual anti-American rhetoric on security issues, has not objected to the deployment of at least three destroyers in seas near its territory, including the USS Spruance, the USS Gravely and, most recently, the USS Charleston. But these security cooperation efforts have been weakened with Mexico's recent judicial elections. Mexico has not only pulverized the stability of its own legal system, but the ruling party took complete control of all judicial bodies and opened the door to controversial figures linked to drug-trafficking organizations. The judicial reforms and the recent election of judges, with only 13 percent popular participation, are already having a detrimental impact on Mexico's investment climate. Legal security was not just weakened but shattered. This not only affects investments from the U.S. but from all countries and even domestic Mexican investments. Mexico has chosen party loyalty over professional quality, family DNA over prestigious credentials, and popularity and charisma over character and skills. Such decisions bring Mexico closer to a failed state than to a mature democracy, turning it into a risky partner, not a reliable friend. Even though Mexico and the U.S. have tried to manage their differences in a diplomatic manner, it is clear that the illegitimate election of judges, which has transformed El Chapo's lawyer into a judicial authority, send the wrong message for investors, promotes a perception of criminal impunity and undermines trust and transparency. Arturo McFields is an exiled journalist, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the Organization of American States, and a former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps. He is an alumnus of the National Defense University's Security and Defense Seminar and the Harvard Leadership course.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
USS Gravely returns to Naval Station Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) is set to return to Naval Station Norfolk on Monday. Gravely's return follows a nearly three-month long deployment for southern border operations, where it was tasked with assisting the coast guard and homeland security to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and activity. 10 On Your Side will be in attendance for the homecoming and will provide more updates throughout the day. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Coast Guard offloads $138 million in drugs from Caribbean
MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) — Two Coast Guard crews. Six suspicious vessels. 18,290 pounds of cocaine and 2,585 lbs. of marijuana. $138 million in illegal drugs removed from the Caribbean. In May alone, the U.S. Coast Guard, assisted by other national and international teams, seized and removed over $138 million of cocaine and marijuana from six boats in the Caribbean Sea. The crews aboard two Coast Guard ships, Valiant and Vigorous, offloaded the drugs at Port Everglades and Coast Guard Base Miami Beach last week. 'I am incredibly proud of our Valiant team and how they exemplify American values,' Commander Matthew Press said. 'They sacrifice time away from their families and when necessary, put themselves in harm's way to secure our borders and protect the American people.' More details about the six interceptions that led to the drug seizures. May 19: Suspicious vessel located 85 miles north of Aruba, 2,645 pounds of cocaine seized. May 22: Suspicious vessel located 170 miles north of Aruba, 7,750 pounds of cocaine seized. May 25: Suspicious vessel located 290 miles south of the Dominican Republic, 840 pounds of cocaine seized with the assistance of the USS Gravely. May 29: Suspicous vessel located 140 miles south of the Dominican Republic, 750 pounds of cocaine seized with the assistance of His Majesty's Canadian Ship William Hall. May 29: Suspicous vessel located 15 miles north of Venezuela, 4,050 pounds of cocaine and 2,585 pounds of marijuana seized with the assistance of the Royal Netherlands Navy. May 31: Suspicious vessel located 185 north of Colombia, 2,250 pounds of cocaine seized with the assistance of HMCS William Hall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Third Navy destroyer heads to southern waters as administration strengthens maritime border security
The Navy on Friday announced a third destroyer is being sent to the southern border to aid in the ongoing efforts to patrol the U.S.-Mexico boundary in an effort to curb illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Navy officials said the USS Cole, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has departed Mayport, Florida, to support southern border operations. Earlier this year, the USS Spurance deployed from its homeport of San Diego, and the USS Gravely deployed from its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia. Both vessels are currently sailing in waters on either side of Mexico, with a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) team on board. Together, the crews will work closely with the Coast Guard to intercept drug trafficking operations. Navy Deploys Another Houthi-fighting Warship To New Us Southern Border Mission The Cole will take over duties from the Gravely and commence similar operations in support of U.S. Northern Command's (NORTHCOM) border security objectives, the Navy said. Read On The Fox News App The Gravely entered the Gulf of America on March 15, and since then has received support from P-8 aircraft assigned to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, allowing for enhanced and increased identification of illicit activity by the Coast Guard. Viral Coast Guard Video Shows Dramatic Arrest Of Suspected Drug Smugglers In Open Ocean "USS Gravely remains at the forefront of maritime operations, ready to take on any challenge," USS Gravely Cmdr. Gregory Piorun said. "We will continue to stand strong, protect vital waters, and ensure that justice prevails. True to our motto, we remain always, 'First to Conquer.'" Gravely helped seize an estimated 860 pounds of illegal drugs from a vessel in the Caribbean Sea on May 25. The interdiction by Gravely was conducted by the ship's Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team alongside a LEDET assigned to the ship. The VBSS team boarded the vessel and discovered and seized 19 bales of cocaine, with an approximate weight of 860 pounds, estimated to be valued at more than $13.6 million, according to the Navy. "This operation supports the administration's focus on integrated homeland defense and maritime border security," Capt. Raymond Jackson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, said. "By uniting Coast Guard law enforcement expertise with Navy reach and surveillance, we're enhancing deterrence, increasing domain awareness and reinforcing our commitment to protecting the homeland."Original article source: Third Navy destroyer heads to southern waters as administration strengthens maritime border security
Fox News
06-06-2025
- Fox News
Third Navy destroyer heads to southern waters as administration strengthens maritime border security
The Navy on Friday announced a third destroyer is being sent to the southern border to aid in the ongoing efforts to patrol the U.S.-Mexico boundary in an effort to curb illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Navy officials said the USS Cole, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has departed Mayport, Florida, to support southern border operations. Earlier this year, the USS Spurance deployed from its homeport of San Diego, and the USS Gravely deployed from its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia. Both vessels are currently sailing in waters on either side of Mexico, with a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) team on board. Together, the crews will work closely with the Coast Guard to intercept drug trafficking operations. The Cole will take over duties from the Gravely and commence similar operations in support of U.S. Northern Command's (NORTHCOM) border security objectives, the Navy said. The Gravely entered the Gulf of America on March 15, and since then has received support from P-8 aircraft assigned to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, allowing for enhanced and increased identification of illicit activity by the Coast Guard. "USS Gravely remains at the forefront of maritime operations, ready to take on any challenge," USS Gravely Cmdr. Gregory Piorun said. "We will continue to stand strong, protect vital waters, and ensure that justice prevails. True to our motto, we remain always, 'First to Conquer.'" Gravely helped seize an estimated 860 pounds of illegal drugs from a vessel in the Caribbean Sea on May 25. The interdiction by Gravely was conducted by the ship's Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team alongside a LEDET assigned to the ship. The VBSS team boarded the vessel and discovered and seized 19 bales of cocaine, with an approximate weight of 860 pounds, estimated to be valued at more than $13.6 million, according to the Navy. "This operation supports the administration's focus on integrated homeland defense and maritime border security," Capt. Raymond Jackson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, said. "By uniting Coast Guard law enforcement expertise with Navy reach and surveillance, we're enhancing deterrence, increasing domain awareness and reinforcing our commitment to protecting the homeland."
