CPAC Combating Narco-Terrorism Summit Unites Lawmakers and Advocates to Make America Safer

The CPAC Combating Narco-Terrorism Summit brought together key lawmakers, international partners, and victims at the U.S. Capitol's Cannon Caucus Room to address one of America's most pressing security challenges.

The summit, in partnership with México Republicano, featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including U.S. Senators Ashley Moody (R-FL) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN), México Republicano President Juan Iván Peña Neder, U.S. Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), and the Trump Administration's Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, “Drug Czar,” Sara Carter, among many others. The summit provided a platform for victims of narco-terrorism to share their stories, including Anne Fundner, a grieving mother who lost her son to fentanyl poisoning, a tragedy made possible by open border policies that have allowed deadly drugs to ravage American communities. The summit united lawmakers and policy advocates to discuss comprehensive strategies for addressing the narco-terrorism crisis and charting a vision for a safer America.

America is safer today than it was a year ago under President Trump's leadership, by designating cartels as narco-terrorist organizations and working tirelessly to combat the crisis at its source. Speakers highlighted how the alarming surge in drug and human trafficking across the southern border directly stems from open border policies that enabled cartels and corrupt governments to operate with devastating impunity, destroying communities across America.

Lawmakers emphasized how narco-terrorist networks have been allowed to thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape. Representatives Cammack and Paulina Luna pointed to the ways technology and social media have become increasingly sophisticated tools for human and narco-trafficking networks, demanding robust government oversight and regulatory frameworks to disrupt these digital pathways.

Through partnerships with Latin American allies, President Trump and congressional leaders have made significant strides in curbing the crisis at its source by securing the border, dismantling criminal networks, and supporting victims and their families. Drug Czar Sara Carter discussed with CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp how the Trump Administration is addressing this crisis, how federal enforcement agencies can further protect communities, and how Latin American allies can partner with America to make the world safer.

Defeating narco-terrorism requires unified action with Latin American allies and across every level of government. By securing the border and dismantling criminal networks alongside international partners, America is actively reclaiming its communities from the ravages of narco-terrorism. The strategies discussed at the CPAC Combating Narco-Terrorism Summit provide a roadmap to a safer America where narco-terrorists are held accountable and victims supported.