Cartel boss was ambushed, drugged and flown to U.S., plea deal reveals
U.S. prosecutors shared what had been one of the central questions after Sinaloa cartel leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada fell into U.S. hands in July 2024.
Drug Cartels
International law and alleged drug boat strikes
The Trump administration says it has the legal authority to target alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, but lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are speaking out after a newly revealed second strike. Allen Weiner, director of Stanford's Program in International and Comparative Law, joins with analysis.
Trump meets with top deputies over Venezuela
The White House is standing by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a Washington Post report raised concerns about the Pentagon's deadly military operations around Latin America. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe and Nikole Killion have the latest.
Reporters on alleged drug boat strikes
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are expressing concern over Washington Post reporting that alleges Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a verbal order to leave no survivors before a deadly U.S. attack on a suspected drug smuggling boat in early September. Reese Gorman, politics and Congress reporter for NOTUS, and Julia Manchester, White House reporter for The Hill, join to unpack the day's top stories.
Wasserman-Schultz slams Trump Venezuela policy
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted Monday that President Trump has the authority to kill any suspected drug boat occupants headed toward the United States. Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Florida joins with her reaction.
White House defends alleged drug boat strike
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday confirmed Washington Post reporting that the U.S. launched two strikes on an alleged drug boat in September, but denied Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the second strike that killed two survivors of the initial attack. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe reports. Then, Jamil Jaffer, former associate counsel to President George W. Bush, joins with analysis.
Son of "El Chapo" pleads guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges
As part of the plea deal, Joaquin Guzman Lopez admitted to helping oversee the production and smuggling of large quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl into the U.S.
Accused fentanyl kingpin wanted by U.S. killed by Mexican military
Pedro Inzunza Coronel, alias "Pichon," was wanted by the U.S. on accusations of trafficking large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine.
U.S. designates Cartel de los Soles a terror group, but is it a cartel?
The Trump administration has designated the Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organization, but some say the Venezuelan entity is "not a group" at all.
Dogs sniff out 14 tons of cocaine in Colombia, biggest bust in decade
The cocaine, stored in dozens of 110-pound sacks inside a warehouse, was "camouflaged" in a mixture with plaster, officials said.
Suspect arrested in assassination of popular Mexican mayor
The suspect allegedly directed members of a criminal cell through an encrypted messaging app, issuing orders to surveil the mayor and carry out the attack.
Divers in Colombia find 450 pounds of cocaine hidden underneath ship
The seizure came just days after the navy announced it had confiscated more than seven tons of drugs from two speedboats and a "narco sub."
Warning signs appear on Mexican beach declaring area restricted by U.S.
The signs read in English and Spanish, "Warning: Restricted Area," and had been declared restricted by "the commander."
Trump says he won't rule out sending U.S. troops into Venezuela
A massive U.S. military buildup around Venezuela is drawing mixed reactions in nearby Puerto Rico, as Trump leaves a possible ground incursion on the table.
Venezuela's Maduro says he'd talk with Trump, as U.S. warships close in
Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro says free nations should only settle problems "through diplomacy," as some 15,000 U.S. troops deploy to his region.
Spain busts ring of powerful Mexican drug cartel targeted by U.S.
Two "priority targets" of the U.S. DEA as well as suspected members of the Italian mafia were among 20 people detained, police said.
Leader of gang targeted by U.S. captured years after faking his death
Wilmer Chavarriais is believed to be the leader of Los Lobos, a drug trafficking syndicate that was recently designated a terrorist organization by the U.S.
Possible U.S. military options in Venezuela
Sources tell CBS News that senior military officials presented President Trump with options for potential military operations in Venezuela. CBS News' Eleanor Watson and Sam Vinograd have the details.
U.S. conducts 20th strike on alleged drug boat, killing 4 people
Since September, U.S. forces have destroyed multiple vessels in international waters, killing at least 80 people.
13 tons of U.S.-bound cocaine seized from ferry, Panama says
It was one the biggest such hauls in Panamanian waters to date, authorities said.
16-year-old soccer player killed by stray bullet in Ecuador
Since 2021, Ecuador has experienced growing criminal violence by gangs operating in coordination with Colombian and Mexican cartels involved in drug trafficking.
FBI to help track down fugitive Barrio 18 gang leaders, Guatemala says
In September, the U.S. government blacklisted Barrio 18 as part of its crackdown on drug trafficking.
2 killed in latest U.S. strike on alleged drug boat, Hegseth says
Dating back to early September, the Trump administration has reported well over a dozen such strikes in the waters of the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean off South America.
13 suspected drug cartel members killed in shootout with police
Four suspects were arrested and nine people kidnapped by the gang were freed following the clash in Sinaloa, officials said.
U.N. rights chief says "unacceptable" U.S. strikes on boats must stop
The United Nations human rights chief says the Trump administration "must halt" strikes on alleged drug boats to prevent "extrajudicial killing."
Terminal in Riyadh airport hit again, a day after deadly strike killed 12
Trump announces Russia-Ukraine "energy ceasefire" after criticizing Zelenskyy
Steve Bannon on the GOP and the midterms: "We can't afford to lose"
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Iran calls U.S. response "insufficient" amid stalled talks to end the war
Thousands still without power in Florida and Alabama as Isaias moves north
DHS secretary defends livestream of Fort Hood shooter's execution
Pope Leo to undergo surgery after nodular lesion found in lung, Vatican says
Democrat Chris Pappas says "we're taking nothing for granted" in N.H. race
