The Trump administration is exploring the possibility of using drone strikes against drug cartels in Mexico, according to multiple US officials familiar with the discussions. These deliberations, which remain in early stages, are part of a broader strategy to combat narcotics trafficking across the southern border.
This isn’t the first time President Trump has considered military action against cartels. According to former Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s 2022 memoir, Trump proposed launching missiles into Mexico to “destroy the drug labs” during his first term in 2020. Esper recounts Trump suggesting they could “shoot some Patriot missiles and take out the labs, quietly,” and deny US involvement. The Trump administration denied this account at the time.
Intelligence gathering has already intensified, with US surveillance flights over Mexico collecting data to potentially develop target lists of cartel operatives, vehicles, and infrastructure. These flights are occurring with Mexico’s approval, as confirmed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
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While the administration hopes to coordinate with Mexican authorities, unilateral action hasn’t been ruled out. US officials view cooperation as the preferred approach but may consider independent operations as a last resort. Several administration nominees have consistently refused to rule out military action in public statements.
However, Pentagon official Colby Jenkins clarified Tuesday that despite Trump’s designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, special operations forces currently lack authority to launch drone attacks in Mexico. Jenkins told a Senate committee that the designation “helps unlock doors” for a broader government approach but doesn’t automatically authorize military strikes.
President Sheinbaum has firmly rejected potential US military intervention, saying, “We reject any form of intervention or interference. Mexico coordinates and collaborates, but does not subordinate itself.” She emphasized that such actions wouldn’t address root causes and could damage bilateral relations.
The administration has already seen increased cooperation with Mexico, which deployed 10,000 troops to its northern border last month and extradited 29 alleged drug traffickers to the US, including Rafael Caro Quintero, convicted of murdering a DEA agent in the 1980s.
Some experts question the effectiveness of military action against fentanyl trafficking, noting the drug’s concentrated nature requires minimal infrastructure. Former DEA international operations chief Mike Vigil described it as “more of a law enforcement problem” than a military one.
US overdose deaths fell 24% in the year ending September, according to CDC data, though officials attribute this primarily to increased awareness and Narcan treatment rather than enforcement success.
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One Response
“US overdose deaths fell 24% in the year ending September, according to CDC data, though officials attribute this primarily to increased awareness and Narcan treatment rather than enforcement success.”
This is called prevention. Which is why the hammer approach…which I too, find appealing is not really the right approach in the long run. Which is why our opposition leader in Canada, PP is wrong to eliminate safe injection sites and force treatment. He has the right idea about offering treatment though. Offer it to those at the safe injection sites. Have the personnel at those sites. So close Pierre….