I know DEA just said it would reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

So why does their latest drug threat report, out today, devote 6 pages highlighting public safety risks from weed? By contrast, only 2 pages to cocaine despite a spike in ODs. dea.gov/press-releases…

Tit for tat?

Now Australia says it will conduct its own fishing patrols near Taiwan. This comes a few weeks after China said it intends to send 26 Coast Guard vessels to inspect and board mostly Chinese squid fishing vessels off the coast of South America.

Don't Even Ask.....DEA chief Anne Milgram in opening statement at a budget hearing says it would be 'inappropriate' to discuss the Biden administration's 'ongoing' rescheduling of marijuana to a less dangerous drug.

Live here: youtube.com/watch?v=466aCW…

Campaign guru Brad Parscale, who helped engineer Trump's 2016 victory, is looking to Latin America (and especially Brazil) to promote his newfound embrace of AI-generated campaign tools.
apnews.com/article/ai-tru…

Venezuela state TV reports on a memorial commemorating the 'defeat of the north American imperialism' when 4 years ago a small cadre of military deserters—with 2 ex Green Berets—tried to oust Maduro.

Known as Operation Gideon, some call the harebrained attack the Bay of Piglets.

pbs.org/wgbh/frontline…

At Senate hearing, Chuck Grassley asked DEA's ops chief if agency was consulted before Biden's release of accused Venezuelan money launderer Alex Saab.

William Kimbell said DEA wasn't asked. He wouldn't commit to releasing the case file.

1 hr 17 mins:
youtube.com/watch?v=YyKahZ…

SCOOP: DEA HQ to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

The DEA’s biggest policy change in its half-century history could have massive ripple effects, aligning the federal government closer to the 24 states that have already legalized weed.
apnews.com/article/mariju…

Judge in NYC sentences brother of late Colombian Sen. Piedad Cordoba to 14 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy charges.

Background on the high profile DEA sting here👇 apnews.com/article/politi…

“This company makes no money. ... It makes no sense,” said ad executive Elle Stange, who has made $1,300 betting against Trump Media & Technology stock.

“He’s not as great a businessman as he thinks. A lot of his businesses go belly up.”
Bernard Condon
apnews.com/article/trump-…

The China Coast Guard 🇨🇳 中國海警 registers 26 ships to carry out fisheries patrols off the coast of South America.

Possible response to U.S. Coast Guard tense boarding of Chinese vessels in 2022.

Squid fishing by China's distant water fleet dominates SPRFMO

CONTEXT ➡️apnews.com/article/taiwan…

Ex Venezuela Gen. Cliver Alcala appeals 21 year prison sentence for providing assistance to Colombia's FARC rebels, which the U.S. has designated foreign terrorist organization.

Company started by a billionaire Texas wildcatter Rod Lewis announced a deal with Venezuela days after the Biden administration put a brake on sanctions relief.

“This will be a test of U.S. sanctions whether they get a license or not' Francisco J. Monaldi
apnews.com/article/texas-…

A federal judge in New York has sentenced a former DEA supervisor to four years in federal prison for leaking intelligence to defense lawyers in a $100K bribery scheme

'Costanzo acted purely out of greed,' prosecutors said.

W/ Jim Mustian @lneumeister
apnews.com/article/dea-co…

Judge shields Miami properties owned by TV mogul Raúl Gorrín from seizure by a defaulted Venezuelan bondholder.

Gorrin is indicted in the U.S. and the creditor argued his condos were bought with stolen state💰and therefore fair game.

Judge Bloom disagreed, closed the case.

The investigation followed a flood of sexual misconduct complaints at CIA and what several survivors described as a campaign to keep them from speaking out by saying it could harm national security.

Jim Mustian Farnoush Amiri
apnews.com/article/ce4d6f…

What sayeth the celebs who bought Nancy Gonzalez handbags now that the Colombian designer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling wildlife skins?

“It’s all driven by the money,” said prosecutors, who likened her conduct to drug smuggling.
apnews.com/article/fashio…

Venezuela's opposition backs unknown former diplomat in latest gambit to unseat Maduro (from The Associated Press) apnews.com/article/39e057…