❓WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions aimed at combating the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and law enforcement agencies.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced Thursday, June 26, 2025, with actions spanning across the United States and its borders.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Today’s action expands upon existing tools… to deter and dismantle the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs from entering the United States and harming U.S. citizens.” – Marco Rubio.
🎯IMPACT: The sanctions aim to disrupt drug trafficking networks, reduce fentanyl-related deaths, and bolster national security.
President Donald J. Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced new sanctions on Thursday targeting the flow of fentanyl into the United States. The policy includes visa restrictions on family members and close associates of foreign drug traffickers. Rubio described the measures as “necessary” to “deter and dismantle” the deadly drug trade.
State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott explained that the sanctions “will not only prevent them from entering the United States, but also serve as a deterrent for continued illicit activities.” Rubio emphasized the urgency of addressing the fentanyl crisis, noting that overdoses remain the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44.
“More than 40 percent of Americans reportedly know someone who has died from an opioid overdose,” Rubio stated, adding that the U.S. averages over 220 overdose deaths daily. The CDC reported that fentanyl was linked to 48,422 deaths in 2024 alone.
Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted a major fentanyl bust earlier this year, where authorities seized over 400 kilos of fentanyl and arrested 16 individuals, including six illegal immigrants. Bondi described fentanyl as a weapon of “mass destruction” and issued a stern warning to traffickers, stating, “When we catch you… we will put you behind bars for as long as humanly possible.”
The new sanctions and law enforcement efforts build on President Donald J. Trump’s initiatives to combat fentanyl trafficking through increased border security and targeting cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). According to the Center for Immigration Studies, fentanyl seizures at the southern border have dropped significantly, signaling a potential decline in smuggling activities.
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