Illegal Weapons
What is Julian Castro's concern about the use of drones over Mexico?
Julian Castro expresses concern about the potential offensive use of drones over Mexico, particularly regarding fentanyl labs. Through a thought experiment, he illustrates the dangers of this approach by reversing the scenario: what if Mexico flew drones over Texas to target illegal weapons and killed US civilians in an offensive strike? He highlights that such actions would create severe diplomatic problems between the United States and Mexico, especially with Trump potentially returning to office. Castro fears that authorizing offensive drone operations could establish a dangerous precedent that might escalate tensions and lead to unintended consequences if political leadership changes or makes impulsive decisions.
Watch clip answer (00:32m)
MSNBC
04:13 - 04:45
How is the U.S. using drone cooperation with Mexico to combat fentanyl production?
The U.S. is sharing intelligence with Mexico and utilizing drones to identify and shut down fentanyl labs across the border. This represents constructive cooperation between the two countries in their mutual fight against drug production. However, Julian Castro expresses concern about the shift toward more military-style operations under Pentagon oversight, warning that if these drones were used offensively and resulted in civilian casualties, it could severely damage U.S.-Mexico relations. This risk would be particularly acute under a Trump administration, which might pursue more aggressive approaches.
Watch clip answer (01:26m)
MSNBC
03:13 - 04:40