Trump said that drug cartels wield enormous power across Mexico and are directly responsible for the deaths of between 250,000 and 300,000 people in the United States every year, largely due to narcotics such as fentanyl. He claimed that US efforts have reduced maritime drug trafficking by as much as 97 percent and said the next phase would involve action “on the ground,” though he stopped short of outlining a timeline or operational details.
Trump’s comments come amid growing pressure on his administration to address the opioid crisis in the US, where fentanyl-linked overdoses continue to claim thousands of lives annually. Mexico is widely regarded by US agencies as a major transit and production hub for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl, much of which is controlled by powerful cartels that often operate with military-grade weapons and extensive local influence.
In Mexico City, President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly rejected Trump’s assertions. Responding to claims that the US had offered to deploy troops on Mexican soil, Sheinbaum said Mexico is “an independent and sovereign country” and would not accept intervention under any circumstances. While acknowledging cooperation with Washington on intelligence-sharing and law enforcement, she stressed that “America is not the owner of anywhere” and that foreign troops in Mexico are unacceptable.
Reports by NBC News suggest the Trump administration has been quietly planning a more aggressive campaign, potentially involving US Special Operations forces operating under CIA authority. The plans reportedly include drone strikes on drug laboratories and cartel leadership, with some operations requiring personnel on the ground. US officials cited in the report said preliminary training has already begun, although discussions continue over legal authority and operational scope.
Earlier this year, the US State Department designated six Mexican cartels, the MS-13 gang and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organisations, a move that broadens the legal framework for covert and military actions.
The issue underscores rising tensions between the two neighbours. While Mexico has recently extradited high-profile drug traffickers, including Rafael Caro Quintero, critics warn that unilateral US action could strain diplomatic ties, destabilise border security and inflame anti-American sentiment across the region.
