Terry Cole, a Latin American hawk, nominated as new head of the DEA
With over two decades in the anti-drug agency, he undertook missions in Colombia and Afghanistan and was regional chief for Mexico, Canada, and Central America. His appointment threatens to further strain relations with the Mexican government
More than two decades of experience; field missions in Afghanistan, Colombia and Mexico City, and an iron-fisted discourse against drug-trafficking networks south of the border. These are the credentials of Terrance “Terry” Cole, Donald Trump’s nominee as the next administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Together we will save lives and make America safe again,” the Republican announced this week on Truth Social, his social network. The appointment, which still needs to be ratified, reinforces Washington’s hardline turn and sends a direct message to Latin America, from an old acquaintance. Cole retired as regional head for Mexico, Central America, and Canada in 2020 and is returning to join the team of hawks that Trump has formed to start a new chapter in the war on drugs: fighting cartels as terrorist organizations.
