SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Jim Carlin, the conservative Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa, voiced strong support for President Donald Trump’s military strikes targeting narco-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea.
The operations, aimed at boats and submarines linked to Colombian cartels and Venezuelan gangs, mark a critical effort to disrupt the flow of deadly drugs pouring into the United States.
“President Trump is taking bold action where others have failed, defending American shores and hitting cartels head-on to save American lives,” Carlin said. “These strikes aren’t just about fentanyl—they’re a vital stand against the cocaine trade devastating our communities. Iowa families deserve protection from this crisis, and I commend the president’s resolve.”
Carlin highlighted recent military efforts, noting that cocaine interdictions have doubled in 2025 compared to 2024, with U.S. Coast Guard operations like Pacific Viper seizing over 100,000 pounds of cocaine. He also applauded Trump’s tough rhetoric on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom Trump accused of encouraging drug production, stating it sends a clear message to nations failing to combat the drug trade.
“While our counter-drug focus has largely been on fentanyl over the past decade, this has resulted in cocaine availability skyrocketing and use increasing,” said Carlin. “Additionally, while some people may think it is just a fun, innocent party drug, the reality is that the truth is far from that as it funds murder, terrorism and human trafficking. Additionally, cocaine is often laced with deadly amounts of fentanyl. In turn, our nation’s consumption of cocaine has destabilized countries like Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, Honduras and Venezuela, and as a result, this violence has fueled the illegal immigration crisis we are also fighting.”
According to the DEA, one-in-four cocaine samples analyzed in 2024 contained fentanyl or fentanyl-related compounds. This lethal combination has driven a surge in overdoses, transforming cocaine into an even deadlier threat. Carlin stressed that while fentanyl grabs headlines, the cocaine epidemic, worsened by contamination, demands equal urgency.
In 2023, overdose deaths in the U.S. topped 105,000 — more than enough to fill Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, which seats about 69,250, more than once over. In Iowa, overdose deaths remain a heartbreaking reality, with an age-adjusted rate of about 14.4 per 100,000.
“These strikes and interdictions are a strong start, but we must do more,” Carlin said. “We need tougher drug laws domestically, not legalization that normalizes these poisons. Legalization sends the wrong message and undermines our fight. As Iowa’s next senator, I’ll push for stricter penalties, stronger border security, and policies prioritizing treatment and prevention over surrender.”
Carlin’s campaign is rooted in conservative principles, including law and order, family values, and American sovereignty. For more information, visit www.CarlinForSenate.com.
About Jim Carlin
Jim Carlin, an Army veteran and former Iowa State Senator, is running for the U.S. Senate to deliver principled, constitutional leadership. His priorities include sound money, promoting free markets, advancing American energy, upholding constitutional integrity, and championing President Trump’s America First agenda. Learn more at carlinforussenate.com or follow @carlin4ussenate on X for updates.
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