By Steve Neavling
A group of former DEA agents is urging senators to scrutinize President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the agency, Terrance Cole, over his connection to two deadly operations abroad that left dozens dead in Colombia and Mexico, CNN reports.
The former agents, some of whom worked directly with Cole, sent an anonymous letter to Congress alleging operational failures under his watch and questioning whether he has the leadership to run the DEA. Cole, now Virginia’s secretary of public safety, spent 22 years at the agency before leaving in 2019.
One incident involved a 2006 Colombian drug raid that ended with 10 police officers killed by corrupt soldiers. Cole worked closely with the unit but was not present at the time. A second case tied to a 2011 massacre in Allende, Mexico, stemmed from DEA intelligence about cartel leaders that was leaked to Mexican authorities. Cole supervised the agent who passed along the tip.
Supporters say Cole followed protocol and had no direct role in the violence.
“Terry did not act unilaterally,” said Dan Salter, Cole’s former supervisor. “He coordinated with superiors before anything was shared.”
The DEA has declined to release internal reports on the incidents, and Cole has not commented publicly.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Dick Durbin, is expected to examine Cole’s record during his confirmation hearing.
