WASHINGTON (FN) — President Donald Trump said Monday he would be willing to authorize U.S. military strikes inside Mexico to combat drug trafficking, calling such action “OK with me” and “whatever we have to do to stop drugs.” The remarks, delivered in the Oval Office, immediately raised questions about sovereignty and the future of U.S.–Mexico security cooperation.
Trump pointed to recent U.S. interdictions against drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean, claiming they had left “almost no drugs” entering the country by sea. He said dozens had been killed in those operations and asserted that “every boat knocked out saved 25,000 American lives.” He suggested similar action on land could be justified.
Drug cartels have long exploited gaps along the southern border, moving narcotics including fentanyl into the United States. U.S. and Mexican officials frequently know the routes traffickers take, and joint operations are underway to stop the flow. Still, Trump has voiced frustration with Mexico’s efforts, linking cartels to both narcotics and illegal immigration.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pushed back over the weekend, stressing that bilateral agreements guarantee sovereignty. “[There is] an agreement with the United States government on security issues, which guarantees sovereignty, the integrity of our territory, and collaboration and cooperation without subordination,” she said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that cooperation with Mexico and other regional partners remains strong. “We have strong cooperation with Mexico, with El Salvador, with Ecuador, with Guatemala, with multiple countries in the hemisphere that are helping us on land stop these flows,” Rubio said. By contrast, he accused Venezuela of facilitating maritime drug shipments through its territory.
Trump made combating cartels a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign, instructing the State Department to designate them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. That opened the door to tougher punishments and potential military strikes. So far, U.S. operations have been limited to international waters, but experts warn that expanding into Mexican territory would raise serious legal and diplomatic challenges.
Analysts note that maritime strikes already carry risks, with questions about their legality and potential conflict with countries linked to the vessels attacked, particularly Venezuela. Extending such operations onto land could destabilize relations with Mexico, one of Washington’s most important trading partners under the USMCA trade pact.
The debate also highlights the human toll of the drug war. In the United States, fentanyl has fueled a devastating opioid crisis, with overdose deaths reaching record highs. In Mexico, cartel violence has left thousands dead and displaced communities, underscoring the humanitarian dimension of the conflict.
Historically, U.S.–Mexico cooperation has centered on initiatives like the Mérida Initiative, launched in 2008 to provide billions in aid for Mexico’s fight against cartels. While that program emphasized partnership, Trump’s suggestion of unilateral strikes marks a sharp departure from past approaches.
Legal experts warn that unilateral military action inside Mexico could violate international law, particularly the UN Charter’s protections of sovereignty. Diplomats caution that such a move could inflame nationalist sentiment in Mexico and undermine trust in bilateral cooperation.
Sheinbaum’s government has stepped up enforcement, with Mexican authorities frequently arresting smugglers and organized crime figures near the border. Yet Trump has said he is “not happy with Mexico” and hinted at unilateral action, underscoring the tension between Washington’s aggressive posture and Mexico’s insistence on sovereignty.
Whether Trump orders strikes inside Mexico remains uncertain. But his remarks have already stirred concern among diplomats and legal experts, underscoring the fragile balance between aggressive U.S. counter‑narcotics operations and the need to preserve cooperation with neighbors across the hemisphere.
