Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has issued a direct threat towards Mexico's drug cartels, stating that his administration is prepared to carry out ground assaults against these criminal networks. He blames them for the escalating addiction crisis and the surge in overdose deaths sweeping across the U.S.
"We are going to start ground attacks against the cartels," Trump declared on Thursday during an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.
"The cartels are running Mexico. It's very, very sad to see and understand what's happening in that country," he added.
Success on Water, Next Step on Land
In the televised discussion, Trump claimed that maritime drug trafficking routes have been nearly entirely cut off.
"We've eradicated 97% of drugs coming in by water. Now, we're going to start targeting the cartels on land," he stated.
These remarks come amid heightened regional tension. Just days earlier, Washington executed a swift military operation in Caracas to capture the ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accused of "narcoterrorism," and brought him to New York for trial. This action signaled a significant step in Trump's international crackdown on drug trafficking and raised concerns about potential similar actions in Mexican territory.
While Trump did not provide specifics about the scope or location of the possible attacks, the tone of his statements suggests that incursions into Mexican soil might be imminent, sparking diplomatic alarms.
Diplomatic Response from Mexico
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded firmly to the warnings, dismissing any scenario of invasion.
"Mexico is a sovereign nation," she reiterated. Her administration has advocated for a strategy of bilateral collaboration, promoting "shared responsibility" and demanding that the United States take action to curb arms trafficking into Mexico.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry issued a statement emphasizing "respect for international law, as well as the principles and purposes of the UN Charter," while stressing the need for peaceful and multilateral solutions.
Trump had previously mentioned last Sunday that Sheinbaum "is worried" and "somewhat fearful of the cartels controlling Mexico," and that while he respects her, intervention might be necessary if the country cannot independently halt the drug flow.
Venezuela: A Precedent for Interventionism
Trump's announcement follows the backdrop of the recent military operation in Venezuela.
In an unprecedented action since the Cold War, the U.S. deployed over 14,000 troops and a fleet of warships in Caribbean waters as part of "Operation Southern Spear," which in recent months has bombed around thirty vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking.
Reports indicate that more than 110 people died in these incursions, which were carried out without Congressional approval. The capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were transported to New York, sends a stern message to other governments or regions deemed complicit or tolerant of drug trafficking.
Rising Tensions Along the Border
Trump's comments have stirred worry in several northern Mexican areas, particularly in Ciudad Juárez, where some sectors fear direct military escalation from the U.S., akin to the Venezuelan intervention.
Though currently a rhetorical threat, additional military movements in the coming days cannot be ruled out.
Trump's national security team has reiterated that he would not hesitate to use "the nation's military might" if American security is perceived to be under threat.
A Shift Towards Unilateral Interventions?
The toughening of Trump's discourse and recent actions may signify a turning point in U.S. foreign policy, reviving interventionist doctrines under the guise of combating drug trafficking.
His vow to "attack on land" the cartels, his assertion that "Mexico is being run by organized crime," and the recent operation against Maduro paint a picture of increasing regional confrontation.
As the world waits for further decisions, the international community, particularly Latin American governments, watches with apprehension the direction U.S. foreign policy is taking under the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, Trump remains true to his style: provocative, combative, and convinced that force is the best answer to challenges.
FAQs on U.S. Intervention Against Drug Cartels
What is the reason behind Trump's threat to attack Mexican drug cartels?
Trump blames the Mexican drug cartels for the rising addiction crisis and overdose deaths in the U.S., and he believes ground attacks are necessary to curb the drug flow.
How has Mexico responded to Trump's threat?
Mexico, under President Claudia Sheinbaum, has firmly rejected any invasion scenario, emphasizing its sovereignty and advocating for bilateral cooperation to address drug and arms trafficking.
What precedent does the Venezuelan operation set?
The U.S. military operation in Venezuela, which led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, suggests a potential shift to more aggressive interventionist policies by the Trump administration in the region.