Part 7/13:
These countries are experimenting with socialist ideologies—sometimes with evident cooperation or parallel developments—and this shift is contributing to regional instability. The complex web of alliances and hostilities suggests a broader pattern: nations that are hostile toward U.S. interests are increasingly interoperating, and their activities threaten regional and U.S. security.
The Cartel-States Nexus and Transnational Threats
There is mounting evidence indicating that drug cartels have established deeper ties with state security forces across Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico. These connections facilitate the transportation and distribution of narcotics into the United States, which remains a primary concern for national security.