Two recent events show very different ways of dealing with drug traffickers. In Mexico, security forces killed a major fentanyl dealer. At the same time, a former U.S. president has promised to pardon a convicted drug trafficker who is a former head of state.
The event in Mexico happened in Sinaloa, a region known for drug cartels. Mexican forces targeted a man called Pedro Inzunza Coronel, also known as "El Pichón." Officials say he was part of a network that sent synthetic opioids to the United States. There was a gunfight, and the trafficker was killed. Last year, police took more than 1.65 tons of fentanyl from his group. The U.S. government had recently charged him and his father with serious "narco-terrorism" crimes.
In a completely different situation, former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was convicted last year on drug trafficking charges. A U.S. court gave him 45 years in prison. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently said he would pardon Hernández if he wins the next election. Trump said he believes Hernández was set up. This promise has surprised and worried many law enforcement officials.
These two stories show a big inconsistency. On one side, there is a strong military and legal fight against cartels. On the other side, there is a political promise to free a convicted drug-trafficking leader. This makes people question the real strategy in the drug war. Taking out one drug boss is important, but promising freedom to another sends a very confusing message.