Mexico dismisses threat of 'incursion' following Trump's directive to tackle cartels
In a move that could have significant implications for U.S.-Mexico relations and international law, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order during his second term, directing the U.S. military and related agencies to use force against Latin American drug cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
The order, according to The New York Times, provides an official basis for military operations at sea or on foreign soil against these cartels, which are responsible for trafficking drugs such as fentanyl into the U.S. [1][2][3]
The cartels targeted by this directive include the Sinaloa Cartel, MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and Venezuela's Cartel de Los Soles, among others. These groups were formally designated as foreign terrorist organizations earlier in 2025, giving a legal basis for possible military actions. [1][3][4]
The Pentagon has been instructed to prepare military options, including special forces operations and precision targeting, to dismantle these cartels. However, no immediate military action has been announced or taken. The use of U.S. military force on foreign soil, especially in countries like Mexico, remains controversial and complex legally and diplomatically. [2][4][5]
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly rejected any U.S. military presence in Mexico, emphasizing collaboration instead of invasion. Sheinbaum has been referred to as the "Trump whisperer" for repeatedly securing reprieves from Trump's threats. [6]
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions and debates over the legality and strategic implications of deploying U.S. military forces against foreign drug cartels. [1][2][4]
References:
- The New York Times: Trump Quietly Signs Order to Use Military Force Against Cartels
- CNN: Trump Orders Military Action Against Latin American Drug Cartels
- BBC News: U.S. Designates Mexican Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
- Reuters: U.S. Military Prepares for Possible Action Against Mexican Drug Cartels
- BBC News: Mexico Rejects U.S. Military Action Against Its Cartels
- The Washington Post: Sheinbaum, the 'Trump Whisperer' of Mexico City, Faces Her Biggest Test Yet
- This executive order by President Trump, aimed at using military force against Latin American drug cartels, has sparked debates in the realm of politics and general news, as well as war-and-conflicts, due to its potential international legal implications and diplomatic complexities.
- The designation of drug cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel, MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and Cartel de Los Soles as foreign terrorist organizations has brought crime-and-justice into the limelight, with the Pentagon preparing military options and the controversy surrounding the use of US military force in countries like Mexico.
