U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed openness to launching military strikes in Mexico to combat drug smuggling, despite opposition from Mexican authorities. He stated that such action would be ‘OK’ with him and emphasized the need to target drug cartels and protect American citizens.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected any foreign military presence in her country, stating that U.S. military action without her consent would not happen. She highlighted the violation of Mexico’s sovereignty and criticized Trump’s proposal to send troops into the country.
The Trump administration’s stance on drug trafficking has led to a campaign targeting Central and South American networks. Trump labeled Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as ‘drug leaders’ and deployed a naval armada to the western Caribbean under the pretext of fighting drug smuggling. Since September, U.S. forces have conducted strikes on 21 alleged drug-smuggling vessels, resulting in over 80 deaths.
Colombian leader Petro, whom Washington has sanctioned, has denounced Trump as a ‘barbarian’ over the Caribbean strikes. Venezuelan President Maduro, who denies links to drug cartels, warned that Trump’s actions could lead to a ‘forever war’ in the region. These tensions underscore the complex geopolitical landscape and the potential for increased military involvement in drug-related conflicts within Latin America.